I’ve known Jeff for nearly forty years, having worked together for a dozen years or so in the 1970s & 1980s. When Jeff visited here (Sunriver, Oregon) in late February, he told me of the family plan to travel for a year with a 1st October stop in Florence. Having studied in Rome as a student in the middle/ late 1960’s and early 1970’s, in addition to working as a guide in both Rome and Florence, followed by many visits to Florence over the years, at first I told Jeff I could write up some notes for their time in Florence. Long story short, I went over to show the Jordans Florence and her treasures. Treasures I have admired and visited for over fifty years. Continue reading “October 2-10: Florence, Italy with Jeff, Cathy & Mick, by Dan Flaxman”
October 7: Pizza- & Gelato-making in Florence by Mick
Italy, home of pizza, spaghetti, gelato and lots of things that end with “o” or “i.” Our friend and “tour guide,” Dan, (learn more about why he was our tour guide on the Florence post) booked a pizza- and gelato-making class on the beautiful hills overlooking Florence, the Renaissance capital of art, sculpture, and architecture. Continue reading “October 7: Pizza- & Gelato-making in Florence by Mick”
Oct 2-10: Florence by Cathy
The drive from Nice to Florence via FlixBus was beautiful, especially the coastal views on the first leg of the trip from Nice to Genoa.
We arrived ahead of our friend Dan, whose trip had been screwed up due to some kind of strike by KLM, and got settled into our elegant Florentine apartment at 16 Via de Ginori, a few doors down from the Palazzo Medici Riccardi and the basilica of San Lorenzo and the Medici chapels, where most Medici are buried. From there it’s a blur of art, history, churches, gelato, leather, monuments, pasta; animated, hand-flourishing Florentines, and hordes of other tourists. Continue reading “Oct 2-10: Florence by Cathy”