Arriverderci, Roma…Pronto, Firenze!
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| River Arno, Ponte Vecchio in distance. |
And alas, still not enough bandwidth to upload pictures! Changed rooms and now have a better wifi connection!
We arrived in Florence late yesterday afternoon after having missed our intended train from Rome, due to a mis-reading of our pre-booked tickets. After standing in line for 30 minutes or so, we were able to purchase two more tickets on the next train, and arrived only two hours later than originally planned. Our first big snafu, but a good object lesson.
A few more quick impressions before we pop downstairs for breakfast and then over to the Galleria Degli Uffizi for our morning round of museum-going:
- Limoncella after meals is an entirely lovely and civilized concept, and something we think will translate nicely to our outdoor entertaining.
- It’s been one big carb-fest. Fortunately we’re doing a LOT of walking.
- High speed trains are amazing. We NEED one of these between SF and LA. At some points we were going over 240 kph and the ride was smooth as silk.
- I’ve been happy with my clothing choices so far. I’ve been comfortable, felt well and appropriately dressed. Layers are essential: while it may be unseasonably warm outside (according to the desk clerk at our hotel, temperatures we’re experiencing this week are the norm for mid-summer), the museums and other interior spaces are often well air-conditioned, and I’ve been glad to have my 3/4 sleeve top or lightweight jacket to throw on over a tank.
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Pseu,
I second the Santa Maria Novella advice from Marguerite.
Two really excellent wine bars, both on the Oltrarno near the Pitti Palace:
Pitti Gola e Cantina right across from the Pitti Palace–has really excellent wine and food
and
Le Volpi E L’uva, which is just beyond Piazza San Felicita, just before the Pitti Palace. Go through the archway at the end of the little piazza and it’s the second little place on the left, obscured by the first (properties are attached).
Look them up online. They’re really as good as everyone says.
Enjoy Florence! And if you find Florence a relief after Rome, you may find Venice a relief after Florence, that is, Venice away from the San Marco area, which is the most touristy.
I am so enjoying your comments.
Marie
I’m so enjoying your posts from Italy. I last visted with two college friends the year we turned age 50 – could it really have been 12 years ago! Paris is my passion, but a trip to Italy may be long overdue.
Sounds wonderful — and perhaps it’s just as well the photos don’t upload and you can concentrate on travelling and enjoying Italy, letting us imagine your travels through your well-chosen words.
I’m with you on the high-speed trains — we love them!
Sounds like you are having a wonderful time, as it should be!
In Venice, try Castello/Arsenale (the latter has tons of green space) if you want some peace. [Though the Biennale opens June 4th, so move fast!]
May the rest of the trip be as enjoyable as the first part!
Hello:
You are clearly having the most enjoyable of times, but we do understand the relief of arriving in Florence after the hustle and bustle of Rome.
And we are delighted that you have discovered limoncello which is, as you rightly say, the most wonderful of drinks with which to end dinner. It is a firm favourite of ours here in Budapest.
Oh Pseu! That photo looks like a painting, all golden light and everything. My brother and sister in law will be in Italy in a few weeks for their honeymoon – I will pass them along anything you find of note – especially not too expensive eating in Rome. Thank you!
So, looking forward to the pictures!
We were in Florence in January and had a truly wonderful experience. The city was quiet and we saw all the highlights without any lines or waiting. Pseu, you must visit the Santa Maria Novella Pharmacia Profumero. It is a temple of fragrances and creams. I got a night cream with honey and a carnation scented cologne. There are many varieties. Ciao!
It is so easy to misread those train tickets!
Oh, yes, the limoncello! Many of the restaurants make their own,and the same with the prosecco! Florence is my own favourite city, but I’ve never been to Venice and I look forward so much to your impressions of that beautiful place…Santa Maria Novella IS great, with all their lotions and potions…if you really want to get a spectacular view of Florence go to San Miniato al Monte, the oldest church and listen to the monks sing evensong…you can taxi it or climb the stairs, and have a near death experience , it’s exhausting. Watch the black scarfed Italian grannies beetle up the steps and leave you panting and trembling…so glad you like Firenze!
Loving your updates! I am going to want the info on the Chianti Region wine & charcuterie tasting- we did that in Barcelona and it WAS AMAZING. The best day in Spain for sure. We had that on our list to do this trip, so if you recommend the company you used, do tell!
Thank you for sharing real time- we’re traveling vicariously with you!
Loving your updates! I am going to want the info on the Chianti Region wine & charcuterie tasting- we did that in Barcelona and it WAS AMAZING. The best day in Spain for sure. We had that on our list to do this trip, so if you recommend the company you used, do tell!
Thank you for sharing real time- we’re traveling vicariously with you!