Florence
Our wonderful driver Stefano picked us up at 9:30AM and 40 minutes later we were in the Tuscan countryside at an outlet store like no other I have seen.
The Mall is home to outlets of the most exclusive designers in the world.
Our home for the next three hours...
And finally, Loro Piana, the store that strikes fear into the hearts of most men. We spent an hour here and got some great "bargains". Of course, everything is relative. Then another 45 minutes at Ermenegilda Zegna where Mrs. SFO insisted that I buy stuff I don't really need "at great prices". 
And the Gucci store that started the invasion of the outlet stores to this part of the country.
Stefano drove us back to Florence and dropped us off at La Giostra, which both he and one of Denver friends recommended. Great atmosphere but so-so food.
After lunch, we explored and walked towards Via di Tournabuoni, Florence's main designer shopping street.
And naturally to Loro Piana...
... to try on items from the wish list and discuss the significant savings from buying in Italy and shipping merchandise back home. Suffice it to say, Mrs. SFO will never again buy large ticket designer items in the US where US stores want you to think that the Euro is still worth $1.40.
A stop at both Ferragamo and Zegna and then back across the Ponte Santa Trinita.
Past a restaurant on the Arno we remembered eating at more than 10 years ago, although it was a different name back then.
Naturally, we decided to go back for dinner since we had fond memories. Still excellent food and great service.
Friday morning we are off to the Uffizi Gallery. With an 11:45A reservation, we passed the time by exploring more of Florence. The walk from our hotel to the Ponte Vecchio.
Past the beautiful Hotel Lungarno, close to the Ponte Vecchio. Looked really nice. We may stay here next time.
Ponte Vecchio.
And the nearby Uffizi.
Since we were 45 minutes early for our reservation time, we walked over to the Piazza della Signoria for a cappuccino.
Nice café where we struck up a conversation with a personable local high end leather merchant whose family has been in the business for years and spends the winter in Palm Beach. He also recommended tonight's restaurant. 
We headed back to Uffizi, door #1 to pick up our preserved tickets.
Then back to door #3 to wait to enter one of the most crowded and miserable museum experiences in a long time. As a result, we tended to avoid many of the rooms with the most significant collections.
Yikes, get me outta here. 
After about 45 minutes, we'd had enough and left to have lunch at nearby All'Antico Vinaio, a great panini shop rated the #1 restaurant in Florence by tripadvisor.
After lunch, we started walking towards the Duomo.
And we entertained by a loud shouting match between these two. No idea what they were yelling at each other, but the only thing missing was fisticuffs.
And The Duomo, or Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore.
Another cappuccino...
... at Piazza della Republica.
And finally back to another 3 hours of shopping. Oh, woe is me.
To Prada, our home the next hour where Mrs. SFO bought a pair of shoes at roughly 40% off the US retail pric
A couple more stores before we spent 45 minutes at ETRO where I bought 6 shirts at nearly 60% off the US retail price.
The scary part was that even I was getting into this.
Then back towards the Arno.
Heading to the Westin Excelsior for a drink at the rooftop bar.
More great views of Florence.
And finally our walk back to our hotel.
And the carnage from our two days of shopping.
Based on the recommendation of our new friend, we are off back across the Ponte alla Carraia to wonderful Trattoria Gargani. Great atmosphere and even better food. The best meal of the trip.
