I think of my trip to Italy in sepia mode. How can I not! There's such nostalgia! All it took was 3 days (in 2019) to fall in love with the city.

I still remember the outdoor seating area - the perfect pieces of wooden table and chairs chipped away by life and sun. Delicate and elegantly designed, it makes me feel the romance of Italy, of being on a vacation and having a grand time. Mornings were spent here, and so were early evenings - a break from a long day of walks and exploration before we'd head out again to get swept up in the magic of the city.

My memory has painted the picture pristine; minus the scars and the wear of time. My memory transports me to a place that brought me joy; a warm hug encompasses me.

My love for espresso began here. In little moka pots that were a staple at every AirBnb we homed in, I found them flavourful and soothing. We began each morning with an espresso; before we could gorge on a croissant sandwich, juiced tangerine and plain black coffee at the local store.

Florence and the trip to Italy made me fall in love with long walks through streets and parks. It led me up a long flight of stairs replete with a busker - here I was living an experience I thought only existed in the movies!

Those stairs led me to this view of the city and its stunning Duomo. I've seen it from afar and I've seen it up close. It is as enthralling and mesmerising as you can imagine. It isn't a trick of light and it isn't just the romance of the city. There's something about the duomo that keeps you bewitched.

Can you imagine the joy of walking down a street and being able to capture this view?

When I said up close, I did mean up close.

I've said enough about the duomo. TL; DR: I love the duomo. Visit it.

A random evening walk wound its way to this beautiful carousel. I've never been on one, and I don't think I ever will ride one. Spinning in circles, even at the slowest pace, makes me disoriented. I do think it beautiful and stuff of dreams. I've watched kids and adults on carousels and I see it as a fun, perhaps nostalgic experience for everyone involved. Big smiles all around.

I have no picture for posterity to memorialise an afternoon spent, much to my spouse's annoyance, in a market where I spent over an hour at a street vendor's shop untangling chains and necklaces I did not even want to buy. My OCD made me do something so wasteful (in terms of time) but made the shopkeeper a happy man! Still grateful to my spouse for not throwing a fit and for letting me be - just like he always does.

Look at this sight. I fell in love. Something tells me not everyone would love this pic, lol.

I would definitely want to visit Florence (and Italy) again. The backyard in the AirBnB is something I'd love to recreate. A small, cosy area with a wooden table and chair, a cuppa joe and a delicious book I can tuck into. Sounds like a perfect day to me.