December 31, 2025
I have spent New Years Eve and Day in Italy a few times but boy was this time wild! In the past we would watch the fireworks from the north side of the River Arno just west of the Ponte Vecchio bridge – just outside of Harry’s Bar and it would always be busy but not the mobs of people we had this year. WOW!
They had big events at the Piazza San Croce and so we headed there but there were so many people and personal fireworks and cherry bombs going off every second that we just hightailed it out of there and headed to the river side again – this time east of the Ponte Vecchio where we found a half decent tame spot right along the river wall to watch the fireworks and they did not disappoint. In fact they were some of the best fireworks ever and they were being fired vertically virtually everywhere you looked - 180 degrees of fireworks in combination with the personal fireworks being shot off in every direction. Frankly, it was a bit overwhelming and by 12:05 am we were out of there and headed to the Piazza Republica for hot chocolate and a night cap, finally winding things down around 2:30am.
Before the evening shenanigans, my brother James and wife Beth, Isabel and I climbed the Duomo which I had never done in my previous 24 times to Italy. I had climbed the bell tower many times, but never the dome itself. What an experience and what a view.
What always strikes me is the sheer scale of this structure and the thickness and massiveness of materials used, all built from 1296 – 1436 with no power tools and no modern forms of communication. It was hard enough climbing the 463 steps carrying nothing but my cell phone….imagine carrying buckets of concrete, stone or timbers to that height. Frankly, it is unimaginable. Truly one of my favorite buildings of all time and what a view at the top.
From there we went and had pizza and a biere at the Il Mercato Centrale Firenze – another one of my favorite stops. We then walked through town to take in more of the sights and sounds and returned back to our hotel to get ready for dinner.
Our dinner, with a set menu of course, was at the Osteria del Corso upstairs in a beautiful private room. The five-course meal was excellent and paired with a beautiful Brunello. The beef filet with the foie gras and black truffle was over the top and my favorite of the evening.
From there it was off to the crazy fireworks and ringing in the New Year.
January 1, 2026
We basically took a chill pill today. No one was moving very fast but a few did get out and about. My brother James and Beth and Jaime and Debbie did some exploring on the south side of the river at the Piazzale Michelangelo and the hills above. I took some time to just walk around and capture photos – many of the details of the Duomo. The details are endless and the workmanship beyond comprehension.
Isabel and I enjoyed a nice quiet lunch at the Osteria La Dolce Vita where she savored a Minestrone soup and I had the Cinghiale stew over pappardelle pasta paired with a Rosso di Montepulciano. Of course after that it was time for a siesta!
That evening Isabel and I walked across the river to the Piazza Santa Spirito for dinner at Ristorante Borgo Antico where we had a Salad Nicoise, some roasted chicken and pizza. Russel and Erika Dickey were nearby and spotted us on our group Life 360 tracker and so they joined us. Love the Life 360 tracker for our tours.
After dinner we walked back across the river where we stumbled into the Basilica di Santa Trinita where a beautiful Gregorian chant performance was underway – how beautiful that was to experience.
Then on the way home we stopped at the Michelangelo Palazzo Strozzi for a exhibit of the Beato Angelico works of art from the Renaissance. Room after room of just beautiful panels of religious art and it was packed at 9 pm. That’s what I love about Italy – their love of culture is so extraordinary and so appreciated. It was there we rendezvoused with Jaime and Debbie and we all went for another nightcap at Piazza Republica to enjoy at least my first gelato!
Geat way to start the new year. With that said, Isabel and I wish everyone a very Happy year ahead!
