Sunday 20 February 2011

Second time in Florence

In my last two blogs, I told you all about my trip to Rome with Missus and Dad. Well, on the way back home to Lodi, we stopped-off to spend a few nights in Dad's favourite city - Florence. 

This was my second trip to Florence and we decided to stay in the same hotel as last time. To my pleasant surprise, some of the hotel staff still remembered me from my previous visit! I was given a very warm welcome at the Reception. They treated me like a VIP (Very Important Pooch)!

Here I am with Barbara, a booti-ful lady working at the Reception who definitely remembered me from last time. (I think she was quite smitten by me!). Barbara also has a golden retriever - her name is Roubaix!

Our hotel room overlooked the Arno river. Dad found a great place across the river to let me run off leash during our morning walks. Can you see us?

Let's take a look around the city...

Me and Missus with a view down the Arno.

This time, the bridge in the background is the world-famous 'Ponte Vecchio'. We decided to take a closer look...

...and here we are on the bridge itself.

Me and Dad.

Next, we checked out the area around the Duomo.

The buildings in the background (from left to right) are the Baptistry, the Duomo and the Camponile.

Here we are in front if the 'Pitti Palazzo'.

I occasionally stopped to make some new friends. (I'm the golden at the top of the photo).

Back to the sights...

...We finally made our way into the Piazza della Signoria. Behind us are the huge marble statues of Neptune, David and Hercules.


Just in time to look for a pleasant cafe in the Piazza...

...and to stop for a nice refreshing cuppa!

Enough of the still photos. Let me (and Dad) take you on a walking tour around Florence...

21 comments:

Sheila and Bob said...

Homer,

We really enjoyed your photos and your video tour.
We also liked seeing all the friends you made during your walk.
The love of Goldens is a universal language
You are one great Golden and your Mom & Dad should be very proud of you.



Hamish & Rescue Sophie

Yas said...

Wow! Lucky you! Thanks for taking us along on that pawsome trip! We truly enjoy the pics and video!
Have a grrreat weekend!

Cheers,
Maxx

Lorenza said...

Hi, Homer!
How they could forget you?? No way!
Thanks for the tour!
I loved it!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Oh Homer, you lucky dude. You always have wonderful walks. The photos were amazing. Thanks for sharing with us. No worries, love Carol.

Molly the Airedale said...

Our gram and Uncle have been to Florence and they say that it's one of the most beautiful spots in the entire world!
Lucky you, Homer!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Angus said...

A cafe in the piazza with a golden by your side. Perfetto .

Amber-Mae said...

Hey Homer! Still remember me? It sure has been some time since I last visited your blog. How have you been? Wow, you're now in a different country? So cool! I wish we get to travel around the world too. You're one lucky dog!

KT and Easton said...

Hi Homer, Lady here....wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed your Florence photos and video. Looks like you were getting as much attention as the classic art (as it should be). I love meeting people too. We especially like the photo of you and yer Dad gazing into each other's eyes at the cafe-a-dogs-welcome.....woof, we want to go there too (my Dad loves the espressos in Italy).

Golden Kisses from Lady

Penny's Mumma said...

Enjoyed your pictures and video. We were in Florence 3 years ago to visit when my daughter lived there for study abroad. My favorite hotel I've ever been to is Le Sirenuse in Positano. Check out the Positano Web cam, it is view from hotel looking at the Isle of the Sirens. Homer, you are so well behaved, my late Penny would have been eating all the spilled gelato off the streets of Florence!!
You are one lucky dog!!

rottrover said...

Nice walk, Homer. Sheesh! We just always walk in our canyon. Some golden dogs have all the luck :-)

-Gizmo, Bart and Ruby

~Kim at Golden Pines~ said...

My husband and I both loved this post and the video! We are just in awe of your amazing adventure that leaves me a bit speechless, which is pretty hard to do! But you seem to just take it all in stride--You are a natural tour guide and adventurer!!

1000 Goldens said...

What a lucky dog you are Homer!

Ben said...

Love your tours. My FairyDawg Father is in your neck of the woods and I told him - you see a handsome golden go ask him if his name is Homer. So if you are approached by a crazy American - don't be scared.
Ben and the Fellas

Oskar said...

You are really lucky to have such a great trip!

I have a great blog I'd love for you to check out, www.PetBlogsUnited.com. It's a wonderful place for pet bloggers to find each other.

Nubbin wiggles,
Oskar

How Sam Sees It said...

I had to star your post in Reader to show to my husband later - what a beautiful video! How lucky you are to be able to take Homer with you!

Sam's Mom, Christine

Jed and Abby in MerryLand said...

You are quite the cosmopolitan doggie, dude! So well behaved that hotels welcome your return visit, a chance to see beautiful architecture and meet some other gorgeous Goldens - what a trip!

Jed & Abby

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Of khourse woo are a VIP!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: What a GReat post of pawesome times!

Anonymous said...

Hubby and I went to Italy (Florence, Rome, Venice, and Milan) on our first big trip together, about a million years ago. This brought back fond memories! Homer, you're adorable!

Augie and Ti's mom said...

Er, I think I forgot to leave my name on my comment!

Anonymous said...

Ciao Homer Thank you for your post - nice one.
Zola

Anonymous said...

OMD, that visit made me nostalgic! i wanna take L&J there!

i'm anxious to start traveling soon as juno is NOT having surgery. i have to start researching hotels in italy and frace that take bad beasts, err, i mean good doggies!

you look like you had fun!