Waking Up a Block From David... in a 4-Poster Bed

When I opened my eyes after a delightful night's sleep, it occurred to me that this is pretty good living -- a four-poster bed, in a 16th-century monastery, a block from Michelangelo's David, with a farmers market going on just outside my window on the most venerable Renaissance square in Florence (Piazza S. S. Annunziata). I'm in a nice guidebook work rhythm: two or three days spent learning, and a day in the hotel inputting on my laptop before heading to another great city. Today I'm leaving my favorite hotel in Florence (Loggiato dei Serviti). But I'll be back in September with 25 fellow travelers when I'll be guiding our Best of Europe in 21 Days Tour. If you're on my tour, I have a hunch we'll have a great time together.

This is Day 26 of my 100 Days in Europe series. As I research my guidebooks and make new TV shows, I'm reporting on my experiences and lessons learned in Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, Bulgaria, Romania, and beyond. Find more at blog.ricksteves.com.