Half of our group took a day off to recover from the long Tuscany tour yesterday and to rest up for Venice tomorrow. The rest of us weathered the rain shower to go to the Santa Maria Novella Perfumery which started as an herbal labratory with the Dominican monks of the church in the 1200's. The products from their pharmacy become so well known that by the 1600's they were selling them to the public. The pharmacy/perfumery is still operating today and we had a nice visit there to see both the old chapel and the products sold now by a private company. Afterwards we enjoyed a visit to the Medici-Ricardi Palace built in 1444 and lived in by the Medici family for over 100 years. It is now owned by the city and used for offices as well as a museum. The highlight of the visit is the private chapel with its amazing fresco painting of the Procession of the Magi. Even though we could not take photos in the chapel, I have included one found on the internet. We got to know Florence a little better today as visited these lovely buildings. More later . . .Ciao!