Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
May 18 & 19, Florence and Fiesole
Am really out of practice using this blog, so forgive me if there are omissions or repeats!
Yesterday (Saturday) we spent all day in the Oltrarno section of the city, across the river from the more touristy center near the Duomo/Uffizi. Wandered through the alleys and small streets between the Palazzo Pitti and Piazza di Santo Spirito where there are many craftsmen's studios producing hand printed paper, leather work, handmade clothing, metal workers making lanterns by hand, etc. Great area, and highly recommended when you have the chance to visit this lovely city. There was an antique car rally going on and our wanderings were interrupted from time to time as the old autos zoomed around the narrow streets. Thanks to Trip Advisor we found the "artisans' cafe" and a highly recommended Gelateria for a lunchtime meal between shopping and simply appreciating the architecture and flowers. Great people-watching area too!
Today we ventured up the hill from Florence by city bus along switchbacks past elegant villas to Fiesole, a little town with a Roman teatro and baths. After a light lunch over looking Florence and Brunelleschi's domed Duomo, we walked even further up the hill to Chiesa de Francesco with its simple interior and small cloister. We appreciate this type of small church far more, I'm afraid, than the huge cathedrals down in the city. Following a wooded path back down to the main square, up and down steps and streets in search of the Roman ruins, we discovered that we would have to pay to get into the ruins themselves. Having already walked 3 miles, we opted for the bus back down to the city, and a gelato in Piazza San Marco where we disembarked the bus.
Now we are resting prior to meeting some of our tour group for supper in another area of the city. Tomorrow morning we leave on our tour of Umbria. Our airbnb room has been most appreciated-nice young couple who are our hosts, great location in this very walkable city, and comfortable digs.
Will try to post some photos of our day in Fiesole.
Yesterday (Saturday) we spent all day in the Oltrarno section of the city, across the river from the more touristy center near the Duomo/Uffizi. Wandered through the alleys and small streets between the Palazzo Pitti and Piazza di Santo Spirito where there are many craftsmen's studios producing hand printed paper, leather work, handmade clothing, metal workers making lanterns by hand, etc. Great area, and highly recommended when you have the chance to visit this lovely city. There was an antique car rally going on and our wanderings were interrupted from time to time as the old autos zoomed around the narrow streets. Thanks to Trip Advisor we found the "artisans' cafe" and a highly recommended Gelateria for a lunchtime meal between shopping and simply appreciating the architecture and flowers. Great people-watching area too!
Today we ventured up the hill from Florence by city bus along switchbacks past elegant villas to Fiesole, a little town with a Roman teatro and baths. After a light lunch over looking Florence and Brunelleschi's domed Duomo, we walked even further up the hill to Chiesa de Francesco with its simple interior and small cloister. We appreciate this type of small church far more, I'm afraid, than the huge cathedrals down in the city. Following a wooded path back down to the main square, up and down steps and streets in search of the Roman ruins, we discovered that we would have to pay to get into the ruins themselves. Having already walked 3 miles, we opted for the bus back down to the city, and a gelato in Piazza San Marco where we disembarked the bus.
Now we are resting prior to meeting some of our tour group for supper in another area of the city. Tomorrow morning we leave on our tour of Umbria. Our airbnb room has been most appreciated-nice young couple who are our hosts, great location in this very walkable city, and comfortable digs.
Will try to post some photos of our day in Fiesole.
May 18 Photos
Piazza di Santo Spirito, Oltrarno
Oltrarno alleyway with vines
View toward San Trinita Bridge and Palazzo Vecchio
Street artist, OltrarnoFriday, May 17, 2013
Friday in Florence
Although our departing flight from Portland, ME, was delayed by two hours, we got to Newark in plenty of time, and had a very smooth flight in a brand new Airbus to Zurich. Then it was on to Florence above the clouds, landing on time at 2:30 pm. Our hosts weren't home yet to welcome us to our room, so we stored our bags with their downstairs neighbour who runs a Toscana wine shop (bring your own bottle, and she'll fill it with the wine of your choice!). We wandered around the area of the Duomo in the center of the city, had a beer in a cafe while it sprinkled a bit, and then it was time to register in our room.
It's on the third floor of a very old building on a little pedestrian street about a 10 min. walk from the Duomo. Our hosts, Nada and Lorenzo, are great - young and welcoming and full of information and restaurant recommendations. Nada phoned Pepo's Osteria and made reservations for us. We had a delicious dinner there, mostly appetizers. It is only a 3 minute walk from our room, and very typical and authentic.
Now it's to bed after a long, long day. I will try to add some photos, but don't know if I'll succeed!
It's on the third floor of a very old building on a little pedestrian street about a 10 min. walk from the Duomo. Our hosts, Nada and Lorenzo, are great - young and welcoming and full of information and restaurant recommendations. Nada phoned Pepo's Osteria and made reservations for us. We had a delicious dinner there, mostly appetizers. It is only a 3 minute walk from our room, and very typical and authentic.
Now it's to bed after a long, long day. I will try to add some photos, but don't know if I'll succeed!
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Two and a Half Weeks to Go
18 more sleeps until we take off for Umbria! We are headed back there again (our third trip in four years to Central Italy) on May 16 - prime time for warm weather and POPPIES in nearly every field. We will be a group of seven, including our leader Linda (Letsgoitaly.com), and will be staying at Maridiana, an agroturismo near Umbertide in the Niccone Valley. Maridiana is home to alpacas who frolic in the fields near the farmhouses. If we are lucky, maybe there will be some new alpaca babies to see during our stay. Each day we'll head off in our van to another hill town, where we'll taste wines and olive oils, visit craftspeople in their studios, and explore Etruscan, Roman, and Medieval sites in the area. For 10 days we'll immerse ourselves in the Umbrian way of life, enjoying the food, wine, and most importantly, the sights, sounds and people of Umbria.
Please check back to this site around the 18th of May for more news from our first stop, Florence. Our plans in Florence include a visit to the Oltrarno section to see crafts studios that have been there for ages, and a day in Fiesole, setting for A Room with a View a 1908 novel by English writer E. M. Forster. It is a small village about a half hour's bus ride from Florence with wonderful views over the city, and a Roman theatre.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)