Florence and Chianti

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The first stop in Italy was Florence. I expected David to be the highlight
of the trip and we were not disappointed. You are not allowed to take pictures
of David (by Michelangelo) so you'll have to go for yourself and meet him
in person. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_(Michelangelo)

Somehow I thought that you could wander into any restaurant in Italy and be
blessed with the most heavenly food of your life. Not true. Its like any
other place in the world. You have to research and read the reviews before
you sit down to eat. The best three we found in Florence were Ristorante La
Giosta at 12 Borgo Pinta, and Latini at 6 Via del Palchetti. I can't remember
the third. But here are a few hints. Is the place full of people with others
waiting to eat outside? There are no pictures of food on the menu? There are
awards on the walls inside and pictures of famous people who have eaten there?
Nobody approaches you as you are walking by and tries to get you to eat there.
If all of the above is true, it is a safer bet for a walk-in meal, but not a
sure thing.

We rode the double-decker open-top bus around the city one day and that was
worth the few hours. Stay in the in the old town area and your time will
be spent wisely.

We also took a Chianti country wine tasting tour and it was a great time. Chianti
is a famous red wine of Italy, which takes its name from a traditional region of
Tuscany where it is produced. It used to be easily identified by its squat
bottle enclosed in a straw basket, called fiasco, however,
the fiasco is only used by a few makers of the wine now; most Chianti is bottled
in traditionally shaped wine bottles. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chianti

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is the cathedral church (Duomo) of Florence, Italy.
The basilica is notable for its dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi, its exterior
facing of polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by
white. The new church was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio in 1296 (although the design
was altered several times and later reduced in size).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Cathedral

The Uffizi Gallery (Italian: Galleria degli Uffizi), one of the oldest and most
famous art museums in the world, is housed in the Palazzo degli Uffizi, a palazzo
in Florence, Italy. Building of the palace was begun by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 for
Cosimo I de' Medici as the offices for the Florentine magistrates — hence the name
"uffizi" ("offices"). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uffizi

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Comments

[IanB (the famous one)]

robin hood
Robin must have emigrated when I wasn't looking. It would seem that Ellis is there with him.

[A Travel Story]

robin hood?
It took me awhile to figure out what you are talking about Ian B. But I finally figured it out. Robin migrated to Italy and has been the livestock keeper at that Chianti Castle since his arrival in the 50s. Ellis slept his way into the family that currently owns the castle and makes wine, and since Ellis' only talent is talking, they put him in charge of castle tours.

[Lou]

The best of Florence
Hello Dan. You really got the best of Florence! Very nice pictures. Lou