Ponte Vecchio
Apr 30, 2025
43.7700° N, 11.2577° E
Who said traveling with your parents in your 20's can't be cool? I (for one) have to say of the plethora of trips I've been on this year, Florence easily makes top 3.
Day 0: Madrid to Florence
Flew in late on a Wednesday after work. Taking advantage of this nice puente to enjoy 3 full days of Florence and mis padres in Europe.
My loving parents so kindly waited up until late into the night to let me into our stay. They even had pizza waiting for me! Que suerte soy yo.
Day 1: Statue of David & Pasta Making
Start of Day 1 was Mama and me searching around for breakfast. It took us all of 5 minutes to find what would become our breakfast spot every single day of the trip. Classic Americans. Never trying new things.
We set off for our first excursion of the trip: Accademia Gallery. I won't lie, the name did not exactly spark a burning enthusiasm when I heard it. It helped when I heard this is the home of the Statue of David, but still: eh. To be fair, I didn't actually know what David would look like. I was thinking maybe like a 4-6 ft statue, probably detailed, but ya know, just a hunk of stone.
But boy, when I tell you I was wrong, I mean, I was w r o n g. My boy David is like 20 feet tall, an absolute UNIT, and sculpted to perfection. The detail in the muscles, veins, face, all incredible. Makes sense since it was sculpted by one of the most famous artists in world history. Who would have thought.
While we admire this lovely statue, my mom dropped one of the best lines of the trip:
Dad: I wish I could look in the mirror and still look that good.
Mom: Well he's aged very well.
Since he's a freakin rock! Nice one Mom. Still chuckling about it as I write this months later.
I also felt a little naive to find out that David was in reference to the biblical figure David and Goliath. He's posing with his slingshot in a rather powerful stance, either before or after his defeat of Goliath. This fact is actually widely disputed by historians and left up to interpretation. A fact I would never know without the secret knowledge of the audioguide.
That's something Dad and I have in common: we love to splurge on the audioguide.
Gotta get his split & macros
They finally made a bust of me
Before or after taking down Goliath?
Nick & Taco forever commemorated in Florence
Picture of...
a picture!
After our obligatory tourism for the day, we stopped for lunch nearby at a place recommended by my friend, Grace, and it was exquisite. Delightful little restaurant with outdoor seating perfect for people watching. We had some glasses of wine because, well, we're on vacation!
On our way home, we stumbled upon a rather eccentric terracota building: the Duomo. I gotta be honest. I had no idea even remotely what it would look like. I certainly wasn't expecting the terracotta. We admired in the hustle and buzz in Florence, tourists left and right. Not a native Italian in sight.
What in the heck is that thing?
Ah yes, very famous Duomo, me suena
Details make the monument
You're telling me this was built in 1296? No puede ser
Midafternoon horizontal time before the real highlight of the day: Pasta Making Class.
I've taken a few cooking classes in my day, but pasta making in Florence takes the cake. Rivaled only by tomorrow's wine tasting, this pasta making has been one of my favorite excursions in my time in Europe. Getting to share this experience with my parents during their first time in Europe, mama's first time out of the country? Truly something special.
And they even included bottomless wine! We had our cute little aprons, full glasses of wine, and smiles for days. I think we were the only non-couple group in the entire class. And you'd think that would be embarrassing (maybe it was). But if anything we brought the class together.
During the cooking, everyone was pretty isolated. Focused. Tiene sentido. But while we were eating as a big group, it was certainly quiet until we started chatting with the Aussie couple. Then others chimed in and soon we had 4 different couples trying to be included in the Macke Cooking Clique.
We ended up cooking 3 different types of pasta: tortellini, ravioli, and pappardelle.
We all had our strengths, but there were certainly better pasta makers than others...
I kept reminding my parents that it's not us against each other, but us against the rest of the class. And boy did we smoke 'em. That is, if the competition was copas de vino terminados.
Incredible pasta making class. Lifelong memories. And some damn cute photos in those aprons.
Mama & Me!
Just begging to be conocido-ed
Just like the apron I bought in Paris!
Okay cmon, that is some nice looking tortellini
Day 2: Wine Tasting in the Tusan Countryside
I thought Day 1 would be impossible to beat. I was wrong. Well almost. It's a tie.
Started the day with a solo excursion. I wasn't sure how much of my camera I would get to use, so I made a point to get up a little earlier before the best day of my life.
We'd already seen the hub of Florence, so I sent it across the river. The Boboli Gardens were my destination. I walked across the river to get a view of the famous bridge of Florence with all the buildings on it. What were they? Apartments, stores, gelato shops? A ver.
I walked up a healthy hill and arrived at my destination. €10 entry fee? Well I already walked this far. Porque no.
I walked around the gardens and it was cool! Nothing stunning. Honestly, not that well kept... Got a cool view of the Duomo from above and tried to frame it correctly. Love a natural frame, huh?
Took a photo of a father and his son. Nice guy and we chatted for a second. American who just moved to Florence. Boboli Gardens was their equivalent of a park walk in Indian Springs or Retiro. "Sir do you realize these sculptures have been here for thousands of years. Yes? Ok just making sure."
I walked past the palace that I could have paid extra to go into with my ticket and gracias a DIOS that I did not. I never thought I would be snobby about castles but let me tell you, House Macke would not be residing in that boring ass brick building.
Morning light undefeated
Arboles for days
What I see.
What I take.
Coolish
Small American child's Indian Springs equivalent
What in the "never would I ever" is this.
Como se dice: chillin' ?
The main event for today was wine tasting in the Tuscan countryside. Just saying it sounds like it shouldn't be real. Something out of a movie when the royal family wants to have a lowkey weekend getaway that turns out to be incredibly extravagant.
"Oh yes, I think wine tasting in the Tuscan countryside would be lovely this weekend, what do you think Henry? Shall I call the carriages to pick up our bags? I'm thinking we can pick up a couple barrels of wine to bring back to the estate for future galas and chronic overindulgence. Hmmm yes yes that sounds delightful."
Maybe a little dramatic. But not so far off. Our carriage was a very nice coach bus with a very enthusiastic tour guide handing out facts like candy on Halloween. The Macke's were the last on the bus (I had to pee, didn't get to, very uncomfortable bus ride) so my parents sat ahead and I sat solo in the back row next to this couple who would turn out to be a hoot and half. Names elude me, but we sat next to them at both wineries and they were just as enthusiastic as we were about both the quality and quantity of wine we were being served. Four glasses at both wineries PLUS the extra wine that Dad didn't drink. Mostly delicious reds. Exquisite.
Not only was wine absolutely phenomenal, but the olive oil that they served was incredible as well. They had this truffle olive oil that I would do dirty things for. I might be a little snobby about both wine and olive oil when I return to the States...
The wine, olive oil, cheeses, and bread was a sight to see. Adding this to my "Perfect Day" itinerary immediately.
Dad even won the trivia question and got to bring home a sweet bottle opener that read: "Casa Emma." Now that's a souvenir with some memories.
The second winery included more exquisite wines and some pretty incredible meats to accompany. Jámon Ibérico, Jámon Serrano, and Chorizo? After 6 glasses of wine, ya boy was hungry. Don't worry I was careful not to spill on my stylish, threaded, Zara shirt my parents so graciously bought for me in Madrid. I might not be royalty, but you bet your ass I'm going to play the role and look the part. Or at least try to.
We bussed back home full to the brim of wine, meats, and cheeses. As royalty should. Early night for House Macke.
Just doesn't even come close to doing it justice
How much for this guy?
Wine cellar goals
Full crew!
House Macke
Day 3: Duomo, Florentine Steak, & Ponte Vecchio
Duomo Day. This is the day we've been training for. 463 steps up to the top of the Duomo. I had my "get siked" mix locked and loaded. Estábamos listos.
I think it took us maybe 15 minutes to get to the top. Maybe. While I was the designated pack mule, my parents absolutely dominated those 463 steps and when we got to the top, I'm pretty sure my mom actually said: "We're already at the top?"
Good shit mama.
The view on top was well worth the climb. Stunning 360° views of Florence. Lots of pointing: "Hey, there's that thing!" Classic.
Estilo es increíble
Pack.
Mule.
Listos para escalar!
Hey, there's that thing!
Yo!
Las vistas
Sprawled
Ain't nobody stealing mama's front pack
Where's the rest of the stairs?
RM Logs for the win
Post Duomo climb, we killed some time in the leather market before our lunch rezzie. The leather is cool, but I simply don't understand how these people make money with so much competition. There are hundreds of them. All selling the exact same thing. Still bought a wallet, bracelet, and notebook for my tìo, Jake.
Lunch rezzie was at da Il-Latini, recommended by Jason. There was a crowd outside the restaurant when we arrived at 12:30, all people waiting for their reservations. Good sign.
Dad and I split the Florentine Steak, something I've been dying to try since I heard of it existence. Dad was a trooper and was willing to split with me, even though that's not his cup of tea. I think he still enjoyed it. Paired delightfully with our afternoon vinos.
Let me tell, this steak man. I like my steaks red and juicy, but Florentine Steak is another level. That thing is damn near raw throughout, with an immaculate crust of seasoning and sabor. Despite the lack of cooking, the meat just absolutely melts in your mouth. One of my favorite cuisines thus far.
Prior to our intermission, we stopped by the Ponte Vecchio bridge with my parents and explored the other side of the river to walk off the 1/2 kilo of meat in our stomachs. The bridge turned out to be full of jewelry stores. Gold, silver, diamonds. Cualquier cosa que quieres. We decided the view from this bridge wasn't as good as the other bridges since you couldn't see the cool bridge from the cool bridge. Tiene sentido? Vamos a ver.
Cool bridge from the not as cool bridge
Dad with the Sony assist!
New profile pic
Tower
Dome
All smiles after almuerzo
Essential selfies
Masterpiece
Yes, we asked the waiter to take a picture.
Stuntin'
Adorable
Intermission. Siesta. Ready to rock.
I think by now I've had my fair share of amazing dinners with incredible food and great company: Italian food on the coast of Cinque Terre, seafood in the Canary Islands, paella in Valencia, escargot in Paris, Beef Wellington in SD, poke in Hawaii.
But sitting at this Italian place, in Florence, having a proper sobremesa with my parents, talking about their past, their stories, their history. Well, that's a damn special one I won't forget.
We even had the audacity to ask for a different bottle of wine after tasting! Look at us being a little snobby (to be fair, the wine was sour af. We would know, we went wine tasting in the Tuscan countryside and this certainly was not up to Sangiovese standards of wine).
One last gelato stop on the way home on our final night in Florence and a little evening drizzle.
Vino #2
Connie's so mad rn
Day 4: Florence to Madrid
Two more things to check off on the bucket list before we caught our flight: Piazzale Michelangelo and All'Antico Vinaio sandwiches. Mama and I set out early to venture up Piazzale Michelangelo. Similar distance to the Boboli Gardens, but wayyyyyy cooler view from the top. Seeing the Arno, Duomo, and city of Florence laid out was a great way to wrap up the trip. I took some photos, Mama and I enjoyed some final moments together, and then we returned home.
Ponte Vecchio from above!
Duomo from below?
Todo la ciudad
Most honest review I've ever left
Last stop: All'Antico Vinaio sandwiches, recommended by Wilcox. Fantastic call. Meaty, delicious, and everyone on that flight probably hated me. Don't matter, I ate most of it in the lounge anyway.
I said goodbye to my parents in the TSA line so I could race off to my flight, which I was running a tad late for. Ended up running into them a few times since our gates were so close to each other.
I was returning home and my parents were off losing the shore. Proud of them for taking this amazing trip together, and thankful for them including me in the adventure. Can't wait for our next one.
What a trip.
