My legs had been holding up pretty well throughout this trip—we’ve been averaging about six miles of walking a day—but today was a different story. We decided to climb the Duomo, and those 463 stairs to the top really wore us down!

Before we tackled the climb, we fueled up with another stop at Café Gilli for cappuccinos and pastries. Jordan had an apple-filled vegan croissant that was honestly the best pastry I’ve had so far! While I love the Nutella and chocolate croissants, I’ve found myself waiting too long to get to the filling. I want the sweetness to start right away, and this apple croissant hit the mark perfectly.

With caffeine and carbs in our system, we joined the line for our 11 AM time slot at the Duomo. The climb started immediately after we were let in, and it’s no joke! The narrow, winding stairs were originally used by the workers who built the Duomo, and I could definitely feel my heart rate climbing with each step.

But the effort was completely worth it. Not only did we get an up-close view of the incredible artwork on the inner dome, but the panoramic views of Florence from the top were breathtaking.

Afterward, we headed to Fiorini D’Oro for lunch and a much-needed rest. Dining in Italy is a slower, more relaxed experience compared to what we’re used to. You often have to wave down your server to order more food or ask for the check. It was a bit of a culture shock at first, but we’re getting used to the slower pace.

Once we regained some energy, we made our way to the Palazzo Pitti, the primary residence of the Medici family. The palace itself is a beautiful Renaissance building, characterized by its three even levels, rounded arches, the use of columns, and an open-air courtyard.

We wandered through the Palatine Gallery, marveling at the art and architecture. It would’ve been nice to have a guide to explain more of the details, but the sheer beauty of the rooms made the visit worthwhile. It’s amazing to think these were once the actual apartments where the Medici family lived!

We got lucky with the weather—it had been cloudy all morning, but just as we were finishing the palace tour, the sun came out in time for our visit to the Boboli Gardens. These gardens, located at the back of the Pitti Palace, were among the first examples of Italian gardens and went on to inspire many European courts. The gardens are massive—111 acres in total!

My favorite part was the flower garden near the Palazzina del Cavaliere, where we had stunning views of the Tuscan hills. And, as a bonus, I spotted some wild rose-ringed parakeets flying in the distance! As a birder, that was a highlight for me.

After a mini-photoshoot (the lighting was perfect), we made our way down. I heard the distinctive calls of the parakeets again and rushed over to find four of them feasting on a tree. They were so cute, and we had such a good view of them—an unexpected treat!

Leaving the gardens, we walked across the famous Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge). A bit of history here: the Ponte Vecchio was built in 123 AD and is the only medieval bridge still standing in Florence. All the other bridges were destroyed during World War II and later rebuilt.

Originally, the bridge housed butcher shops, which were placed there during the plague so that scraps could be thrown directly into the Arno River, minimizing contact with rats. In the 16th century, Ferdinando Medici had the butchers replaced with goldsmiths and jewelers to create a more pleasant atmosphere—quite the transformation!

And speaking of jewelry, the absolute highlight of the day came when Jordan surprised me with a gift! He took me to pick out a special piece of jewelry as a keepsake from our honeymoon trip. I thought I’d take pictures of everything I liked and return later, but I fell in love with a pendant necklace that was perfect for everyday wear. It was a more classic piece, and I’m so obsessed with it—thank you, Jordan!

After Jordan finished spoiling me, we headed to Trattoria Nella, a family-owned restaurant I found on TripAdvisor. The food was excellent. I had ravioli with walnuts, and Jordan had pici with cheese and pepper. For our main course, we shared the sliced beef, which was just what we needed after a long day of walking.

We wrapped up the night with gelato from Perche No, a spot recommended by our Uffizi tour guide. I went for the banana gelato, and Jordan had pistachio. It was the freshest gelato we’ve had on this trip so far!

Stuffed and happy, we made our way back to the hotel. Tomorrow is our last day in Florence, so we’ll be squeezing in as much as we can!