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Florence is art, architecture, history and people. We met up with friends John and Jessie for just a few days - intersecting holidays. Given our short stay in Florence we stayed away from the most crowded museums and took in the street sights and the Duomo Museum. Florence Duomo is large and striking and dominates the skyline. The enormous terracotta dome and the contrasting white and green marble of the Duomo and its adjacent buildings are stunning for their size and intricacy.

The Duomo Museum has many of the original statues, paintings, columns etc. which have been removed from the Duomo during restoration processes. Much of the Duomo itself is made up of replicas.

From the lookout on the other side of the Arno River the Duomo can really be seen in context.

The statues and marble reliefs are just beautiful. Michaelangelo's unfinished piece Pieta is so lifelike. Because it is unfinished the characters seem to emerge from the rough marble.

We loved this marble piece of girls singing in the church.

The best Piazza is without a doubt Piazza Della Signoria - its a public square surrounded by palaces, museums, and the best open-air grouping of marble statues around. It even has a very good copy of Michaelangelo's "David".

Off to Chianti next for a wonderful lunch in the vineyards, just an hour from Florence. My Rabbit Paparadelle and Dianne's Porcini Mushroom Tagliatelle were to die for - all washed down with a glass of Chianti Red. Porcinis are so revered here that when they are in season - now - they cost $50 a kilo. The locals go to extraordinary lengths to get these fresh and the markets sell out quickly. In a restuarant they cost $6 each grilled - but they are worth it.

John had managed to pull a few strings so after lunch we visited Castello Gabbiano for a tour of the winery and a wine tasting. Loved those serious Italian Reds! They also put us up for the night in a 13th century Tuscan Villa and gave us dinner at the Winery. What a way to travel. A fantastic 5 star meal with wines from the estate. A memorable night. Thanks John! The drive back to the villa after dinner was also interesting. Dark. Dirt Road. Wrong side of the road. Gear stick! on the right. One hour's driving experience in Italy. Luckily no-one else was on the road and I was driving.

Next day off to San Giminagno for a short stop (we return later) and to gather some picnic material. Then off to Pisa looking for a scenic Tuscan olive grove for lunch on the way. Found one - not hard. Better than any flash Trattoria.

Off to Pisa where we not only put John and Jessie on their plane, but also stopped by the Leaning Tower to offer some support.

Before we leave Pisa we must share two points. Firstly the leaning tower has also sunk several metres below the surrounding ground. So it is actually "The Sinking More On One Side Than Other" Tower of Pisa. Secondly it is just the bell tower of the adjacent Duomo which is simply the grandaddy of the wedding cake style (Pisan Romanesque) of them all. This is a marvellous assembly of buildings. One of the best in Italy. The inside of the Duomo is just spectacular.