This charming life...

Charming things about Florence ✨

                                   This guy serenaded me every morning and it was lovely

Street Musicians

Florence is endlessly charming, so much so that it makes me lovesick. There is nothing better in life than strolling the cobblestone streets of Florence at golden hour with a gelato in hand and hearing the wafting sweet sounds of a flute or cello playing in the distance. I love the unexpected and delight in discovering street musicians scattered about the city. Florence has many street musicians to offer but you will mainly encounter them in touristy places such as Piazza Della Signoria or while you are waiting in line at the Accademia. While panhandling may turn you off, if you take a moment to be in the present and just listen and look around at the beautiful city surrounding you, it is impossible to not be enchanted. The music adds a perfectly delicate touch to the pleasantness of Florence. These are real, talented musicians I am talking about here; with real instruments. Violins, Cellos, Flutes, Accordions (there is nothing more Italian!). Not just someone banging on a plastic bin and calling it a drum as you might see on the subway in NYC. Here are a few that I have come across during my visits to the city. 

This is one of my favorite songs so I was almost in tears when I randomly heard it playing on the street where my nonna Lilliana lived. Thanks, nonna. 💜

The Carousel

A dreamy carousel with 20 horses and 2 gilded "kings carriages" is located on the Piazza della Repubblica. The beautifully painted horses stand proudly with tall, elegant plumes upon their heads. The wooden carousel is painted in bright blues and reds and features two flowerpots with fresh flowers in them! The inside columns have paintings of Roman gods and flirting cherubs float on the ceiling. On top of the ride are painted panels of different Italian cities like Pisa, Rome, Bologna, and Venice. This is the antique carousel of the Picci family (as is stated in a panel along the top), and it goes around and around every day from 10am to about 8pm. 

The carousel is run by Carlo Picci, who is the fourth generation of the family to run the carousel but the fifth generation also helps. The carousel in the Piazza dates from the beginning of the 20th century and has been beautifully restored. 

Ambiance 

A sweet, luring glow covers Florence at night. The soft light is very romantic. It's a fine balance of lighting, not too bright, but not too dark. An elegant touch; it really adds to the ambiance and makes it feel like you are somewhere special. 

                       These are just a few of the reasons why I am in a love affair with Florence. ✨