On Tuesday it was time to say goodbye to Venice. We took a last trip on the Route 1 Vapporetto line, from Giglio to Ferrovia, the train station.
We arrived at the train station a bit early so there was lots of time to kill. Venice's train station has almost no seats/benches so we had to make do using our luggage. That is when it wasn't being used as a drum set. If only we had a set a hat out in front for tips. 
The hi-speed train from Venice to Florence takes only 2 hrs. so it was relatively easy. I was expecting a very scenic trip through Italy but the train went through quite a few tunnels so the hilly landscape was impossible to see.
In Florence, we rented a 2bdr apartment through airbnb right near Ponte Vecchio in the Oltrano district. The apartment was on the 5th floor; luckily there was an elevator although it was so tiny that all 4 of us couldn't fit and we needed to make multiple trips to get our bags up. The location was a perfect base to explore Florence.
We liked mixing up our trip with a few days in a hotel and a few days in an apartment. Generally our preference is to stay in an apartment when we're traveling. Apartments are usually more spacious and it's nice to have the option to cook and eat at home. J and I are in agreement though that if we're going to stay in a hotel then we need breakfast to be included. Not only have we had a hard time finding traditional breakfast spots in Europe but it's impossible to have a relaxing morning when the kids are begging to eat, forcing us to get up and out.
The first order of business in Florence was to buy K some new shoes. We brought two pairs with us; wellies, which in Venice we quickly found out had rips and weren't keeping the wet out at all, and sneakers. I didn't realize how worn the sneakers were until I examined them more closely after K woke up limping and not wanting to put his heel down. J and I were very concerned - not only for K's health but because this was the first trip where we did not bring a stroller. Touring Florence was going to be very difficult if one of us had to carry K at all times.
There were plenty of shoe stores in the area but we couldn't find any that carried children's sizes. Finally, we found a toy store that was able to point us in the direction of a kids shoe store, Fatina. The women at the store were very friendly - and luckily spoke english. We narrowed it down to two pairs - one which cost 60 euros and the other which cost well over 100 euros. Luckily the 60 euro pair fit better and within minutes of putting them on, K was back to walking like normal. Phew - disaster averted!
On our walk to the shoe store we stopped to take a ride on the carousel in the Piazza della Repubblica. This was the first of many rides on this carousel. Just as gelato became a daily activity, so did riding the carousel:
Walking back to the apartment, we crossed over Ponte Vecchio bridge while the sun was setting. Very beautiful.
For dinner we ate at Gusta Osteria, right off Santo Spirito piazza and just a few blocks from the apartment. We didn't have reservations so we were lucky they could fit us in. The place was very small and cozy, everyone was practically sitting on top of one another, but it had a really warm and welcoming vibe. By this time the kids were a bit out of sorts (tired & hungry) and it was hard to keep them behaved at the table. In fact, the woman at the next table had to ask for another water glass after K threw a piece of bread her way. Yes, it was that bad. For a moment, we even considered leaving but I'm so glad we didn't.
This was our favorite meal of the entire trip. J had a steak which he deemed "best he's had since moving to Europe" and I had the most amazing pesto. It's definitely making me rethink how I make my own. K wolfed down his pork and C throughly enjoyed her meatballs. There were smiles all around after the meal. And as a special treat (after a few compliments about how amazing the food was), the waiter brought over shots of limoncello for J & I.
After dinner we walked to Santa Trinita for gelato which was also spectacular. (thanks for the tip, Bri!)
I loved Venice for the views and the charm, but it quickly became clear that the food was going to be WAY better in Florence! Bring it on.
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