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Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence January 4th 2024

The David! And a number of other pieces. We were intrigued by The Prisoners, appearing to be caught in the marble. After lunch at Rosso Crudo, we walked over to Santa Croce. The basilica of Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church in the world. Its most notable features are its sixteen chapels, many of them decorated with frescoes by Giotto and his pupils, and its tombs and cenotaphs. Legend says that Santa Croce was founded by St Francis Himself. The church floor plan uses his Tau or T shape. Then we wandered around the neighborhood on the way back to hotel. We were trying to find a market of leather goods recommended to us by the guide. We got to the place and there was the covered market building, Mercator del Porcellino, (tall, built in ... read more
Explanation
Model for the original
Lid for a hope chest

Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence January 3rd 2024

After a talk about Florentine sculpture, we walked to the Bargello and toured with the guide, learning how the approach to art and thus the artwork changed. The Museo Nazionale del Bargello is located in Florence’s historic Palazzo del Podestà. It was established by royal decree on June 22, 1865—Italy’s first national museum—and is dedicated to sculpture. After a look at San Lorenzo exterior, we had lunch at Ciro and Sons (not the one in Harrisonburg!). I had a Lynsey Salad which was excellent—butter lettuce, Granny Smith apple slices, almonds and raisins dressed with just olive oil. The opposite (vinegar usually) flavor was supplied by the tart apples. On the way home, we toured Santa Maria Novella, with glorious stained glass and frescoes. A few of us stopped for a glass of wine at a cafe ... read more
Courtyard
Frescoes under the arches
And sculptures

Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence January 2nd 2024

Pitti Palace: Built by the Pitti family but they never lived there because they made the mistake of taking part in an unsuccessful insurrection against the Medici, and were bankrupted. Purchased in 1550 by the Medicis, the Palace was chosen by Cosimo I de‘Medici and his wife Eleanor of Toledo as the new Grand Ducal residence, and it soon became the new symbol of the Medici’s power over Tuscany. Eleanor‘s renovations took two years. It also housed the Court of two other dynasties: the House of Hapsburg-Lorraine (after the Medici from 1737) and the Kings of Italy from the House of Savoy, from 1865. The palace still bears the name of the original owner, banker Luca Pitti, who started construction in the mid-1400s. The guide wasn’t impressed by the changes made by the Hapsburg and commented ... read more
Mike on way to Pitti
Sue, Ponte Vecchio in background
Palazzo Pitti

Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence January 1st 2024

Took a bus to San Gimignano, walked up and down a hill, did some people-watching, visit and lunch at Fattoria Poggio Allora agritourism farm, bought saffron and ordered wine, toured the organic farm, back to Firenze! Dinner at Belle Donna—salad for me, veggie risotto for Mike, after big lunch at the farm. Found a wine door, then walked on back to the hotel. HAPPY NEW YEAR!... read more
Views on the way from Florence to San Gimignano
Views on the way from Florence to San Gimignano
Views on the way from Florence to San Gimignano

Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence December 30th 2023

12/30/23 Started the day with a quick history of Florence: Foundation of Florence: Roman Florence, about year 0 to 500 AD 1st-2nd cent CE:Fiorentia grows into a minor Roman city 59 BC: Rome a Republic, not yet Empire, about 20,000 people (amphitheater would hold); military camp, grew into a city. Roman towns are exactly the same: grid plan, forum, bath complex, theater, etc., city walls, amphitheater is now Santa Croce; pieces of Roman Florence do exist; forum is now Piazza della Republica 312 Constantine legalized Christianity Gothic (northern european) invasions by end of 300s 476, end of Roman Empire; 405, Fiorentina–Chritian god helped them beat a Gothic invasion; the entire population were immediately converted to Christianity; build first church in Fiorentia Early Medieval Florence, about 500 to 800/1000 AD: end of Romans, ‘dark ages’ 400s-50... read more
Wallpaper
123023cDuomo1
Piazza Santa Maria Novella

Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence December 28th 2023

Left evening of the 28th, flying Austrian Air to Florence via Vienna. Sprung for an upgrade to Economy Premium and scored the bulkhead-type seats!! Great food, pleasant staff, nice smooth flight. Somehow, didn't sleep well, neither of us. By now, it was the 29th of December. Four hours in Vienna was too long but we found a couple 'abandoned' massage chairs to rest in for an hour or so. Another hour plus over the Dolomites and we were in Florence. Amazingly small airport. Easy meet and greet with driver and trip to hotel (easy for us--I can't imagine landing, renting a car, and trying to drive through the maze of streets!). Checked in, had meet and greet with Road Scholar group--another wonderful guide!! Walk 'around the neighborhood', welcome wine in the bar area, and dinner at ... read more
Leg Space!
Chef taking orders for first class!
Our menu

Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence September 21st 2023

After a couple of days in Venice, a day in Verona and a couple more in Florence, I'm feeling a little cultural overload - and I like going to museums! Lynn and I spent several hours in the Accademia in Venice and, today, in the Uffizi here in Florence. Both have wonderful collections of paintings from the Middle Ages up through the Renaissance and into the Baroque period. It's fascinating to see the gradual shift from the stiff poses and flat surfaces of the mediaeval works to the dynamic, life-like compositions of Botticelli, Raphael and Caravaggio (to name a very few). We varied the museum round with a walk in the hills north of Florence yesterday. We even broke out the hiking boots and poles again! The hills surrounding the city are an attractive mix of ... read more
A lesser-known Botticelli: the Calumny of Apelles
Walking in the hills above Florence

Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence June 16th 2023

This mornings start was no different this morning to any other. Another early start! today we are continuing the journey through the beautiful Tuscan region. Today’s first stop is going to be Florence. Florence is considered to be the capital of Tuscany, and widely recognised as the birth place of the Renaissance, as well as being well known for its art and history. The first part of the drive should take about an hour. It is roughly a 40 mile drive south. I’m sure the scenery was beautiful the whole way, but sadly I was asleep, so missed it! It’s the price I have to pay for late night/early mornings! After getting off the coach at the drop off/pickup point, we have a 20 minute walk, along the River Aron, to watch a leather demonstration at ... read more
En route to Florence
Arrive in Florence
Street views

Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence April 16th 2022

Friday, April 15, 2022 Port of Civitavecchia, Rome We HATE travel days. Neither of us sleeps the night before; afraid we’ll miss the alarm. The seas were calm, my back is getting better (with medicine) daily. Nevertheless – we awoke EXHAUSTED which is never a good thing. Everything is packed, our luggage is off the ship and we have a “few” bags to carry out…. meaning we have a TON of stuff! Does it multiply when we sleep? Why is nothing fitting into the suitcase? UGH…I’m SO OVER IT. Christopher arranged with Black Lane to pick us up at 9:30am at the port. We were off the ship at 8:15am. Oh well, better to wait than to be late, right? Well, that’s how WE feel. Time, Christopher, and I wait for no-one; and we don’t expect ... read more

Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence April 16th 2022

NEWSFLASH Remember that shirt I have spoken of that eluded us throughout Spain? WELL....today, in Firenze at Massimo Dutti Christopher bought the LAST one in his size! He is over the moon (frankly, so am I). Finally found that darned shirt. EVVIVA.... read more




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