Really beginning to feel like a local, well as far as really bad Italian can do that. The shopkeepers are recognising me now, as well as the resident street vendors. May be hope for assimilation within the next year or so.
Ava and I have just really started hitting the museums and tourist attractions. For being this late in the year Florence is still really busy with tourists. We were in a trattoria last week and this party of 21 Americans came in. They were all here to celebrate the matriarch's 80th birthday. And then there are the regular tour groups which are shuttled around from site to site with barely a moment to relax.
As for the museums, we tried to get a Friends of the Uffizi pass; but that is finished for the season so it is individual tickets. We are going to splurge and do the Corridor atop the Ponte Vecchio as it houses impressive art collected by the Midici's and is only open to a few people in organised groups.
The Academia.
Incredible place, it houses Michelangelo's original David statue as well as lots of his other work and paintings. Unfortunately the 2nd floor that houses the tapestries was closed.
The Duomo.
Hugely impressive cathedral. The paintings and frescos are beyond any description I can do justice with.
Piazzale Michelangelo.
The best place to catch a great view of Florence and the Arno river spread out below you. The beautiful tiled roofs with the cathedrals and Duomo rising above them with the hills in the background are really quite something to see.
Leonardo Da Vinci Museum.
It took us quite a walk to find this elusive museum. Just a round the corner from the Duomo, as is everything really. When we finally did find it we paid our 7 euro each and wandered through two rooms looking at what I thought were really bad scale models of some of his inventions. Yesterday when we were looking for a place to eat we came across the real Da Vinci Museum. Oh well!
Sunday the 29th was the Firenze Marathon. It was a beautiful day for the runners and as well for the residents/tourist as the streets in the city centre were closed to traffic which meant one can walk pretty well unscathed, except for cyclist and taxis.
Places to eat.
I try to stay away from the eateries around major piazzas because they tend to be very pricey. For what a coffee costs in one of those places I can get a really good sandwich and cappuccino at my favourite place called Bar 16 on Proconsolo. I had the best pasta carbonera yesterday at Osteria del Proconsolo, it is a small place with great english speaking staff and very good prices about 2 blocks form the Duomo. Other than that any pasticceria has the best coffees (1 euro for espresso) as well as sandwiches and cakes.
I eat at home quite a bit in the evenings as individually the prices are not too bad but everything adds up and it is not unusual to come out with a bill of about 40euro. With exchange rate of 1.5 it can hit the wallet.
Groceries are very reasonable here, the produce is great as I have said before. BUT...a few things I miss that I cannot get here. Those are, ziploc bags, instant oatmeal, soda water (for the scotch) and twist ties. So if you come over make sure you have those in your luggage.
Next stop for me is Venice (Venezia) Dec.9-11. Taking the express train out next Wednesday and the last train to Florence on the Friday. Only a 2 hour ride from Firenze to Venezia, so just like a Vancouver commute to work.
I have booked our transportation to Split Croatia for the 15th January. Train from Firenze to Ancona via Bologna. That only cost 38euro and then it is an overnight ferry across the Adriatic to Split. Secured a 2 bed cabin on the Jardorlinija ferry.
As the internet connection here has been up and down until today, Ava and I have been passing our time playing cards and having the occasional beverage. I do have to warn you to Beware the Lemoncello. It is the best tasting stuff ever, and has a 30% alcohol content that comes and smacks you upside the head when you least expect it.
I was asked if I had been on any wine tours, only the ones in the aisles of the supermarkets.
No comments:
Post a Comment