Passing through the San Lorenzo market we made our way to the Medici-Riccadi Palazzo for a tour this morning. It was interesting to see how the 15th century wealthy lived and we saw an interesting Chinese modern art exhibit. We took the one o'clock train to Lucca, arrving about 2:30. Everyone enjoyed our Sunday afternoon in that beautiful city and were delighted to see a Renaissance parade and flag performance. The lovely Anfiteatro Piazza was a real highlight as we shopped and snapped pictures. We arrived in Florence about eight o'clock and enjoyed pizza and pasta at Nerone's restaurant just down the street from La Contessina. Another beautiful day in Italy!
I HAVE SET UP A NEW PHOTOBLOG SITE FOR THE 2014 TOURS. YOU CAN STILL SEE PHOTOS FROM 2008 TO 2013 HERE. TO VIEW THE LATEST TOURS GO TO: WWW.INTUSCANYWITHPATRIZIA.BLOGSPOT.COM
Florence Strolling Today !
After breakfast we began a three-hour stroll along some unexplored streets of Florence. We stopped at the old Santa Maria Novella Perfumery which started centuries ago as the monks' herb garden. We enjoyed window shopping and some actual shopping when we happened onto a delightful little leather goods shop. The Ferragamo Shoe Museum was interesting where we saw hundreds of shoes on display made by the "shoemaker to the stars" - Marilyn Monroe's, Audrey Hepburn's, Nicole Kidman's, etc. Lindsey and Libet wandered off to another Italian cooking class - this time to learn the art of making pasta! The rest of us crossed the picture perfect Arno River and walked up to the Pitti Palace for a look at the Medici family's really ugly (on the outside) homestead from the 15th century. We ate another homecooked meal in the courtyard at LaContessina this evening followed by another stroll to see Florence by night.