MARIO MET US AT THE TRAIN STATION IN FLORENCE AND ACCOMPANIED US TO HIS APARTMENT 2 LOCAL TRAIN STOPS AWAY. HE PROVIDED US WITH SEVERAL BOTTLES OF WINE, BREAD, AND FRUIT. HE SHOWED US AROUND AND GAVE US WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS ABOUT THE APARTMENT, THE NEIGHBORHOOD, RESTAURANTS AND GROCERY STORES. INCLUDED WERE LOCAL TRAIN AND BUS SCHEDULES, MAPS, AND TOURIST INFORMATION CONCERNING FLORENCE. THE NEXT MORNING MARIO CAME TO THE APARTMENT TO MAKE SURE WE WERE SETTLED IN AND BROUGHT A LEMON TORTE HIS WIFE HAD MADE FOR US. HE OFFERED TO GIVE US A DRIVING TOUR OF FLORENCE THE NEXT DAY AT 9:00A.M. THIS WAS TOO GOOD TO PASS UP SO WE HEADED TO PIZA THAT DAY AND TOOK MARIOS OFFER FOR THE NEXT. hIS KNOWLEDGE OF THE HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY OF THE AREA IS AT LEAST AS GOOD AS ANY TRAVEL GUIDE WE ENCOUNTERED. HE DROVE US TO FIESOLO IN THE SURROUNDING HILLS WHERE WE COULD LOOK DOWN ON THE ENTIRE CITY OF FLORENCE. HE THEN TOOK US TO PIAZZA MICHAEL ANGELO FOR FURTHER BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF THE CITY. HE THEN DROPPED US OFF AT THE CENTRAL MARKET IN FLORENCE WITH EVERY TYPE OF MEAT, FISH AND FOOD FROM LOCAL BUTCHERS, FISH MONGERS AND BAKERS. WHAT A PLACE TO SEE. THE ONLY SMALL PROBLEM WE ENCOUNTERED WAS MARIOS ENGLISH. HIS SMILE AND CHARM MORE THAN OFFSET THIS.