We started our day today with a walking tour of the city. Our guide was very good and it was only a small group of 8, so we had the opportunity to ask questions and get quite detailed information on a number of the more significant buildings. The tour ended at the Ponte Vecchio just after midday, so we continued walking over the bridge, window shopping only in the jewelry stores.
Today is a special feast day and public holiday in Italy and we were fortunate enough to be in the right part of town to see the amazing medieval parade making its way from the other side of the Ponte Vecchio to the Duomo. They had set up a nativity scene outside the Duomo, and the parade of wise men, kings, queens and other noble men and women, archers, soldiers, musicians, etc made its way to the Duomo. It was quite spectacular, and the parade itself lasted for nearly an hour. I lost count after about 15 different groups of drummers went by, each interspersed with nobles, soldiers (including those in chain mail and armour), flag bearers and, well, basically lots of men in tights. I'm sure I saw BlackAdder and Queenie too. Have included some photos from the parade.
The good news from today is that it looks like we have confirmation of our trip to Maranello on Monday, to visit the Ferrari factory. We had been hoping to get there, however discovered that the usual tours aren't operating during the winter season, but an email direct to the Maranello people seems to have worked. Still awaiting final confirmation, but it looks like it will go ahead.
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