A magnificent view of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo. It was the end of the day ... watch how the city transforms as the sun sets!
Thursday, October 31, 2013
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Halloween in Florence
Halloween is much more of an event in America than here in Italy. We were told by a shop owner (whose birthday was today) that it has been just the past few years have Italians started having any activities associated with Halloween, and they are not significant.
We primarily saw indications of Halloween in store windows ...
This one street artist decided to try a Halloween theme for her chalk work
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Parade anyone???
A couple days ago as we were headed out for the day, we heard a band and crowds cheering. We turned the corner and there was a parade!! It appeared to be related to the military, perhaps veterans. Always an enjoyable surprise to run into these little celebrations.
The parade continued through the streets to Piazza della Signoria, where there was quite a ceremony. Most stopped to watch and join in the celebration, while some tourist just walked through the middle oblivious to anything going on at all!!
Love Affair with Gelato ...
(Cone has raspberry, pink grapefruit and mojito; cup has raspberry and chocolate)
Not all gelatos are created equal ... you will find gelato in the heavy tourist areas that look and taste like they are mass produced and are NOT produced with the true flavors; then you will find places like Perche No, Vivoli, and Gelateria della Passera (a new place we found in the Oltrarno area today) that really make their own gelato with REAL ingredients ... and you can taste the difference.
New flavors tried thus far ... pistachio, blood orange, chocolate with rum and candied orange, zabaglione, panna cotta, coconut, creme carmel, mojito, pink grapefruit, raspberry ("like" real raspberry with seeds included!! .... FANTASTIC)
Any requests???
Monday, October 28, 2013
Artists - Past and Present
As I have learned from someone who has been a long time student of art and Florence ... not all notable art is contained in the more famous Uffizi, Accademia, or Bargello museums in Florence; much is found in the lesser known churches of this town.
I may not be a student of art history or grasp the real significance, however I can appreciate the talent, patience and artistry that it took to create these pieces of art.
This work (above): Carrying of Christ to the Sepulchre (Deposition) by Jacopo Pontormo. Found in the Barbadori-Capponi Chapel in Santa Felicita`.
In Brancacci Chapel of Santa Maria del Carmine; frescos most noted by Masaccio.
Art can be appreciated and fostered at any age ... I captured this very young girl sketching on the front pew of the Santa Felicita` church while her parents patiently waited for her in the back.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Ahhhhh .... Firenze at night
The beautiful Piazza della Signoria at night. A magical place where it doesn't take much imagination to see the Medici and other merchant families of that Renaissance time making their way through this lovely central area of Florence.
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Bellissimo Spello
In my opinion ... one of the most charming towns in this area of Umbria - Spello. Even in the season where fall is quickly approaching, it still has great beauty.
A stone walkway lined with greenery
A simple arched doorway
A treasured piece of art carefully placed in a church - many many years ago
Window boxes to bring the outside close to homes high above.
Old hardware, yet you can still see the beauty in each.
Simply ... Beautiful!
Morning ....
Life begins each morning .... Each morning is the open door to a new world - new vistas, new aims, new tryings. (Leigh Mitchell Hodges)
Monday, October 21, 2013
ANTIPASTI !!!!
In a tiny walled town of Torre del Colle outside of Bevagna we encountered a new restaurant - Serpillo, truly off the beaten path. The restaurant run by a young brother and sister is established in what used to be an olive mill. With a very tasteful menu highlighted by an antipasti buffet, like none we have previously encountered.
The wide variety of tasty epicurean treats, each unique and as tasty as the next. The buffet started with small toasted walnut bread, then began the jars with variety of pickled treats ... small onion, garlic, caper berries, anchovies, etc ... pate, mortadella canapés, sautéed salad with arugula, radiccio & walnuts; shaved cucumber with a lemon vinaigrette .....
.... fried polenta, anchovy canapés, baked chipolini onions, fritata with herbs, pears with cinnamon and walnuts, the most wonderful morsel with dried plum wrapped with a small piece of bacon; a sweet and salty burst of flavor!
The buffet also include a cheese selection of 8-10 choices from Europe; Italy, France, & Switzerland. This of course included a well aged parmigiana that could be accompanied by a local honey or a fig jam. This also included a yellow Italian cheese that was made with saffron and pepper (very interesting).
So many choices, so little time! If you are ever in the vicinity of Bevagna don't pass this place. Open for Lunch and Dinner on Sunday; Dinner Tues - Saturday.
www.serpillo.it
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Trevi - Sedano Nero e Sagra della salsiccia
Sedano Nero e Sagra della salsiccia (black celery & sausage festival)
Fall in Italy brings with it celebrations of the bountiful harvest. This weekend found the hill town of Trevi alive with the black celery and sausage festival! Sedanari (celery growers) bring their finest to compete in Piazza Mazzini for first prize - awarded for celery with the whitest of stalks and greenest of folliage. As fall is also the ideal season for making sausage, the sausage festival is combined with the celery celebration.
If you think of celery as the Rodney Dangerfield (aka "I get no respect") of vegetables, you need only one bite of the Sedano parmigiana or the bruschetta topped with a pesto made from the rich green tops of this black celery to change your mind. Add in one (or two) of these local sausages on a crusty roll and what more could you ask for!
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
The 2013 adventure to Italy began with an attempt to be 'Italian'. First attempt: not successful ... we flew (red, white and blue) Delta; (0% Italian).
2nd attempt: much more successful -- we took the new Italo train Milan to Florence (percent 'Italian' increased to 50%).
3rd attempt - rental car ... sad to say ... Ford Focus!!!!! ('Italian' points took a dive to 33.33%)
Arriving more American than (born again) Italian didn't dampen our spirits; Barbara the Avis rental agent at the Foligno train station recognized us as we walked in the door, and as we pulled away the familiarity of the route to the Inn quickly returned. Driving through the gates of the Inn, the feeling that we had returned to our Italian home away from home was confirmed, as Mary and MIchael walked out the door to greet us.
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