Under the Tuscan Cloud

Under the Tuscan Cloud

The weather is meh today, but we have repositioned (ever so slightly) from Florence/Firenze to the Tuscan countryside. Before leaving Florence, we paid our dues by lining up for +/- 1 hour to get into the Duomo.  Then picked up the rental car and, thanks to Google Maps, made it to Villa Bordoni without incident. [...]

What I have learned

What I have learned

There is no escape from Lady Liberty. There used to be fire-breathing dogs in Florence. Tempus fugit. Also, we toured Galeria degli Uffizi with our guide Paola, who did an amazing job of keeping us away from the hordes. (Not to mention great insights into the artwork.) And later, we climbed up and down (and up [...]

Florence is a Machine

Florence is a Machine

Here we are.  Touring churches and  palazzos and dodging the shocking October crowds here in Florence. I am surprised at how many new discoveries are on display.  In the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, there are 3 frescoes discovered from 2004 to 2011 behind the frames of other paintings.  Restoration took several years so they [...]

Just Back: Gettysburg

Just Back: Gettysburg

For Independence Day we explored some of the history of Gettysburg, Pa.   Started with a 3-hour tour of the battlefield itself with Licensed Battlefield Guide, Susan.  There is a lot of geography to cover, so she drives your car and explains the history on the move. Extraordinarily informative. And, of course it was the [...]