Around the world in 40 days but no Gallipoli

[TomVexille]

Ow ow ow ow, you've twisted my arm enough. I'm off to look for flights to VCE...

 

[Flying mermaid]

Looks like fabulous weather FM. Hope it keeps up.

Not so good in Florence - quite overcast and a few spits of rain - not enough to be a problem but Mr FM is complaining a lot about his photographs.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Travelling from Venice to Florence was quite relaxing - just sit and watch the very lush scenery go by. From Bologne on we went through one long tunnel after the other. It could have been very boring, but the passengers provided the entertainment. The train was a reservations only train (or at least that is what I thought). First of all the conductor brought a young couple and their very cute baby and a large stroller into our carriage. He told a man to go and find another seat and installed them. Then another group of 5 were brought in all with multiple carrier bags and quite excited (seemed to be on holiday). The conductor was trying to seat them together and failing. One woman took a spare seat opposite us. Her husband and another member of their party kept coming over to see her and talking loudly and taking photos with flashes. Finally first one and then another of the original passengers moved away and found other seats. I felt quite sorry for them as they had presumably paid for first seats and reservations in order to have a quiet journey, but they certainly weren't. No idea what was going on with all the newcomers, but it kept me entertained.

On arriving at the station we decided to walk to the hotel. Big mistake - the pavements are non existent and both them and the road are not made for pulling along a case!

 

[Flying mermaid]

We are staying at the Four Seasons - what a stunning property. It consists of a palace and a convent - both Renaissance and set at opposite ends of a beautiful Garden, with interesting modern sculptures.

Our bedroom and some downstairs views.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Some of the Modern art and the gardens of the Hotel.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Sculpture at night

 

[Flying mermaid]

All over the city you can see marks showing how high the 1966 floods went - near Santa Croce the floods were over 6m. This mark in the hotel shows how high the water was there - at least 15m walk from the Arno. It was a total tragedy in some place the oil from the heating systems mixed with mud and water to coat paintings, frescoes and statues. Beautiful painted crosses from the 13th century were floating in the water. Restoration work is still continuing from this disaster.

 

[Flying mermaid]

The Duomo is a huge church - one of the biggest in the world. It is covered in white, green and red marble (representing Faith, Hope and Charity).

 

[Flying mermaid]

On our first night we ate at Ristorante Accademia at San Marco - very friendly service and nice food, not at all expensive.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Last night we took a recommendation from an AFF member and ate at La Giostra - fabulous experience. Such nice staff, wonderful service and food was most enjoyable. They also as a standard give a glass of Prosecca to start and a plate of "little bites" that was quite substantial. We then shared a Carpaccio of calamari and potato and Mr FM had fish, while I went for the Osso Bucco. Mr FM had a sorbet to finish and a coffee that came with a huge bowl of chocolate and biscuits.I would advise booking, although we were lucky enough to get a table.

 

[Flying mermaid]

On our first night of wandering around we came across Piazza Della Santissima Annunziata with a statue of Ferdinando d'Medici - like Cosimo he was a great benefactor to the church. Some lovely frescoes outside.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Some of the images from today's Florence

How close the cars need to park.

Parking Garage

Police people.

Transporting two white dogs on the back

and a child on the front

 

[Flying mermaid]

Yesterday we took a 4 hour private tour with Freya's Florence. Our guide was Saschia who had studied as an Art Historian and was still studying - currently doing a thesis on the Humanists. It was outstanding. We had requested an accent on Michaelangelo and the Medicis and my mind is still reeling from all we saw.

First of course was the Accademia with David and other Sculptures.

 

[Pushka]

David is quite glorious isn't he? We weren't allowed to take photos 2 years ago. The guard was very zealous.

And that Hotel is like a museum - just wonderful.

 

[ellen10]

Great photos. Your accommodation looks fantastic.
We walked to the top f the Campanile, great views.
Your food choices looks yummy.

 

[PLANT]

Can we please have some prices on these trip reports.... What is "not expensive"???

 

[TheRealTMA]

We are staying at the Four Seasons - what a stunning property. It consists of a palace and a convent - both Renaissance and set at opposite ends of a beautiful Garden, with interesting modern sculptures.

Our bedroom and some downstairs views.

Ah, such pokey alberghi in Firenze these days.

 

[Flying mermaid]

David is quite glorious isn't he? We weren't allowed to take photos 2 years ago. The guard was very zealous.

And that Hotel is like a museum - just wonderful.

He is - the first sight of him when you walk in the room is just stunning. According to Saschia being allowed to take photos happened about a year ago - no flash of course. We could take photos everywhere, even in churches, whereas Venice wouldn't allow photos in churches.

Four Seasons gets some beautiful properties - the one in Sultanahmet is pretty special as well. The view of the garden from our windows is so peaceful after the bustle of the city.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Can we please have some prices on these trip reports.... What is "not expensive"???

All relative isn't it . When we are paying about $55 pp for a buffet breakfast at the Four Seasons everything else looks cheap!
I will put food prices in future and when I have access to my CC (28 degrees seems down at the moment), I will put down various restaurant prices.

 

[Flying mermaid]

Meal prices - generally an antipasto (often shared), main, Mr FM generally has dessert and coffee and we have a bottle of mineral water and a bottle of wine (20 to 40 euro usually).

Venice

A Becaffico. $150

Riviera. $250

Florence

Accaedmia. $110

La Giostra. $175

Il Paioli. $145. (To come)