Florence, Italy

After our enjoyable meal, we headed back to our hotel but, before getting there, our tour guide announced that we would be making a “surprise stop” that photographers would love.  Of course, since I always try to have my tripod along with me for night photography, I was rather disappointed that this was a ‘surprise’ stop rather than a ‘pre-announced’ event.  Alas, my tripod was back at the hotel and I had to cope with make-shift supports rather than having the real thing.  A bit of post-processing sharpening can work wonders.

The “surprise stop” was the Piazzale Michelangelo also known as the Michelangelo Large Square.  The location is a wonderful belvédère or look-out on the side of a hill and provides a wonderful panoramic view of the city of Florence.  The square features a replica statue of Michelangelo’s ‘David’ and, in season, access to a rose garden and a garden filled with Florentine irises. This evening, the panoramic view and the statue were the focus of tourist attention.

Having enjoyed the country air and the wonderful views, we headed back downhill to our hotel where I was surprised to find plenty of people still out and about and enjoying the wonderful weather in the plaza in front of our hotel.

For some, the night was still young. For others, it had been a long day!