Wednesday 31 October 2012

Firenze ( Florence)

Red leather, yellow leather, red leather, yellow leather....and so was our introduction to Florence today, as we made our way through the famous San Lorenzo markets. Stalls were abundant with leather goods( belts, wallets, jackets, shoes) and sellers trying to convince you they had the best prices. But we had little time to stop and barter, as we had 11am tickets for the Galleria Accademia - home to Michelangelo's famous statue of David and other Italian masterpieces.

After entering the Galleria, essential audioguide in hand, we weaved our way through a maze of rooms. Each room housed artworks of different time periods. In addition to these was the music room, which had on display antiquated and exquisite instruments, such as the Stradivarius violin tenore. Also, there was the fascinating room filled with the Italian masters' plaster casts of their marble sculptures.

Michelangelo's "David" was, of course, the highlight and showpiece of the Galleria. Standing imposingly under a dome designed specifically to shed light on his perfect form, one could not help but feel struck with awe.

Knowing that rain was predicted for the afternoon, after the Galleria we rushed to see Florence's Duomo and Ponte Vecchio. We had a lovely day making our way through the piazzas, past the stall holders and browsing through the shops which specialised in everything from tapestries and leather to clothing and jewellery. We also saw the stunning bronze doors of the Basilica of San Giovanni, more famously referred to by Michelangelo as "The Gates of Paradise"because of their detail and beauty.

Eloise and Tricia at the San Lorenzo Markets, Florence

Sean, Brett, Brett Snr and Eloise near San Lorenzo Church

A perfect statue for Halloween?

The Duomo, Florence

The famous bronze doors, Florence

Bronze doors of the Baptistery of San Giovanni

The Duomos's beautiful sculpted exterior

Stained glass inside the Duomo, Florence

The Duomo's magnificent dome ceiling

The Duomo's interior and altar

Sean, Tricia and Brett in Palazzo Vecchio, Florence

The copy of David's statue in Palazzo Vecchio


Cellini's statue near the Uffizi Gallery

Ponte Vecchio, Florence

Florence - a fashion capital

Brett and Sean enjoy lunch at the "Hard Rock Cafe", Florence

Driving home in the rain through the streets of Florence
Lunch today was spent at Florence's "Hard Rock Cafe", where we knew we were assured of a varied menu which included vegetables. Their store was decorated in readiness for Halloween celebrations tonight. By the time we came out, however, rain had started to fall heavily, so the leather would have to wait for another day. We're sure that Florence will beckon us to return one more time...            Tricia

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Chianti Charm

Today we decided to explore the little villages of the Chianti region of Tuscany. All seemed in our favour - a nice day, mapped- out route and no time constraints. However, after our visit to the first two villages of Montefiorelle and Greve in Chianti left us uninspired, we took one more chance on Castellina in Chianti. This was indeed much nicer but perhaps we'd been spoiled by yesterday's charm of San Gimignano. So, after half an hour we left, wondering if should drive to Pisa instead.

View towards Castellina in Chianti

Eloise, Brett and Sean in San Donato in Poggio

A fine day for washing in San Donato in Poggio

Heading for an unexpectedly overpriced lunch at" La Toppa"

Entrance to San Gimignano

Model of San Gimignano centuries ago

The beautiful Tuscan hills


A simple and unhurried life
Back on the road, we made the final decision to split up so the children could do their studies at home and Brett and I could return for a less rushed look at San Gimignano. We had lunch in San Donato in Poggio and then went our separate ways. It was lovely to stroll at our own pace to explore shops, galleries and alley ways we had missed the day before. The children, too, are now more up to date with their school work!            Tricia

Monday 29 October 2012

Tuscan Cooking Class and San Gimignano

To our great delight, today spoiled us with clear skies over rolling Tuscan hills. Our day commenced with a cooking class at an agriturismo nearby, called, "Castello della Paneretta," in the village of Monsanto. Patrizia and Massimo welcomed just the five of us into their kitchen to teach us their love of food and how to prepare some special Tuscan dishes. Over the course of five hours, we made ravioli, bruschetta, roast pork, artichokes and tiramisu. In addition, we sampled their local cheeses as well as their own balsamic vinegar, olive oil and wine, before being seated to feast on the dishes we had prepared. Patrizia charmed us with her stories of her culture and travels while we marvelled over the food and our surroundings. The walls were covered with china plates, and dried flowers hung from every corner. Through the windows we could see the Tuscan hills.We had the time of our lives.

Patrizia explains the art of separating egg whites to Brett and Sean

Sean helps to prepare the tiramisu under Patrizia's watchful eye

Massimo stuffs the shoulder of pork 

Sean and Brett finely chop the ravioli filling


The Robinsons proudly display their ravioli

Artichokes ready for the oven

Eloise and Sean sit by the fire while waiting for lunch to be served 


Massimo commences serving our sumptuous lunch

Eloise had put all her heart into kneading the ravioli dough

Our stuffed roast pork with artichokes

We were treated like family at "Castello della Paneretta"

Good company, delicious food, wonderful surrounds

"Castello della Paneretta", Monsanto

The entrance to "Castello della Paneretta"

View over the Tuscan countryside from "Castello della Paneretta"

DON'T taste the olives straight off the tree!

Brett, Eloise and Sean in San Gimignano

Eye-catching shop entrance in San Gimignano

A step back in time - San Gimignano

Tricia in San Gimignano
Soon after lunch, we snapped some photos of Patrizia and Massimo's olive orchard and agriturismo. Brett Snr also learnt NOT to sample the tempting olives off the trees, as they are purely for the oil and taste "disgusting!" We then headed off to the beautiful Tuscan village of San Gimignano. It was like stepping back into medieval times (not that I can QUITE remember back that far!). The streets were lined with little stores selling everything from earthenware, to gelato to paintings and the atmosphere was relaxed and enchanting. The end to a perfect day.        Tricia

Sunday 28 October 2012

Arrividerci Roma......Hello Tuscany!

Daylight saving ended in Italy today....so how did I forget?! After frantically preparing for our 7.45am departure from our apartment, it was drawn to our attention by our landlord's assistant, Norman, that it was in fact only 6.45a.m. Well, that can only mean one thing...we have still some time left to race up to St Peter's Square to say one last good-bye! And so Brett Snr, Eloise and I did. Crowds of people, huddled under umbrellas, queued outside the Vatican and nuns raced in the rain to make it in time for early mass. No doubt many, like us, had also forgotten to turn back their clocks. Meanwhile, the boys patiently minded our luggage.

Nuns scurry across St Peter's Square in the rain, in time for mass

Eloise - one last good-bye


Crowds line up early in the rain for the Vatican Museum

These are the typical crowds unless you pre-book a tour 

By 10am, we were in our brand new Peugeot lease car and on our way to our little medieval village in the Chianti Hills in Tuscany. Arriving in the rain, we were welcomed to our new apartment for the next week. We enjoyed some delicious local pizza for dinner and topped up our supplies in nearby Poggibonsi. Despite forecast for even more rain, we have a good feeling that this is going to be a perfect Tuscan base to relax and recharge.            Tricia