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| Orte Italy |
We began the day by boarding another tour bus for a nice long drive out of the Lazio region, thru Umbria and on to the Tascona region. Again we were on the main highway that links Milano, Roma and Napoli. The secenary was just as beautiful as when we headed south, but we didn't see nearly as many run down areas. As we passed by each little town nestled upon a hill top I joked with DH, "We could buy a house here!" I am not sure if he knows I was joking. Ok so I was only half joking! I would love to live in one of these picturesque little villages. But as DH reminds me, what would I do for work? He may have a point.
We were able to see some of the most beautiful country side as we traveled. I know understand what the great poets meant when they spoke of the soft light of Italy. Everything seemed to have a soft glow when the sunlight hit it. This effect was intensified around dusk on our return trip to Roma. The sky was this amazing mix of blues, greys, pinks and golds. It is unfortunate that I wasn't able to catch it on film, but it is a memory that I hold near to my heart. Maybe someday I will be able to paint the scene, but I know I will never be able to do it justice.
We arrived in Firenze at about 11 am and were taken as close to the center of town as possible by bus. The city does not allow tour bus into the heart of the city to help cut down pollution. Ours was to be a walking tour. Normally that wouldn't be a big deal, but I am still nursing the sprained ankle. Oh well I just took some more asprina and called it good.
Our first stop was to a pretty high end leather shop. The description of the tour said that we would be touring a leather school to see how they make leather. Yeah, the shop was going to show us how they emboss the leather. I was not so impressed. While this shop did have some very nice bags and jackets, the prices were a bit steep. Lucky for us we had some free time, and I found a different leather shop down the street with much nicer prices. So I just had to get a new purse. Not so sure DH understands the need for purses and shoes, but he just rolled his eyes and said yes dear it looks nice.
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| Detail of Basilica Santa Croce |
I can honestly say that Frienze was the most fun that I have had shopping in a while. During lunch on our excursion we met the nicest couple from Canada, Arthur and Loraine. Loraine and I had the best time lagging behind the group and window shopping. Ok truth be told we hit the shops pretty hard, but managed to get back to the group for the major sites. Jay and Arthur were tasked with making sure we weren't left so far behind that we would have been lost. I have to say we are both blessed to have such understanding husbands. It also made the day trip a lot more fun. I love my DH, but he isn't one for shopping!
So between rounds of shopping we were able to see the facade of the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce. We were not able to tour inside due to time constraints. It houses the tombs of some of Italy's greatest artists, Michelangelo and Machiavelli to name a few. We were also not able to take great photos as they were setting up some sort of enormous stage and seating area in the square. It had to have been some sort of festival or something.
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| Detail of Fontana del Nettuno |
We also were able to see the outsides of the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi. I wish that we would have gone on our own so that I could have explored the Uffizi and also seen the Ponte Vecchio. But that will have to be for a future trip. I was able to get a few shots of the replica David that stands in front of the Palazzo Vecchio, where the original once stood. Good thing to as photographs of the original are not allowed. But there is also an amazing fountain just to the left. Fontana del Nettuno, so far this has been my favorite fountain in Italy.
So we are walking through city streets and we are taken around this corner...bam! There it is, the Cathedral
Fontana del Nettuno
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