After the cemetery post, I promised to write about something livelier. Living near the Arno, I’ve often seen different watercraft cruising along the river. This gave me the idea to search for a water-based activity for the kids. Well, today I happened to be at a plein air painting workshop by the river, in one of my favourite spots in Firenze. It’s a quiet and slightly wild river bank across from Porta San Nicola. It has all the things I love in a place—serenity, a relaxed vibe, and it’s off the beaten path, unnoticed by most tourists. It’s almost like a park, but more rustic and untamed.
Amusingly, this riverside spot features a whimsical quincunx pattern. For fellow landscape architecture enthusiasts, you may know that a quincunx is a square shape with a diagonal cross, typically found in formal gardens. However, in this context I see it as a touch of garden wit. Or, maybe just my quirky perspective?
Moving on, as I was at the workshop, a van boldly labelled “Firenze Rafting” pulled up, right in the perfect spot where we had planned to paint. Talk about good timing! Instead of focusing on the instructor’s words for the next 15 minutes, my attention shifted to the van and its crew.
I watched them unloading inflatable rafts and carrying them down to a sandy patch by the river. The water level was higher than usual, and the weirs were overflowing. Though I wasn’t there to see it first-hand, I think they went over the weirs, as they didn’t return by raft. The van took off and returned with the rafts on the roof, and everyone on board.
After I got home, I researched Firenze Rafting*. They look quite interested. They offer a range of water-based activities throughout Tuscany, not just in Firenze. Worthy looking into other tours that would be a great way to experience the Italian countryside.
*Disclaimer. I receive a 90% commission from Firenze Rafting for every tour booked from the link on this site. Haha. It’s not true 🙂
Sea Lions Guide to Firenze 