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Fri, January 18, 2008 - 9:38 AM
Any tips? I've only ever been to Milan
Fri, January 18, 2008 - 9:38 AM -
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Fri, January 18, 2008 - 10:04 AM
florence - yes. pisa is only an hour west, but it's not worth it. it's just a dysfunctional tower and nothing else really (sorry to make it sound so lackluster, but it is).
i spent almost two weeks in florence and still didn't get a chance to check everything out - you've got galileo's observatory, the first gallery in the world (4 stories of ornate masks, paintings, reliefs) at uffici, the medici family gardens across the river, the countless museums and churches (including dante's church). there's so much to do in florence that i'd use that as a home base. from there, you can take day trips to towns like san gimignano (one of those quintessential fortress-like towns with narrow spirally roads) and a breathtaking view of the tuscan hills - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:View_-3.jpg and then you have siena which is more of a college town, but there's a lot of exploring to do along all the shops and more specifically the piazza del campo (circa 1292) - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_del_Campo i'd highly suggest, if they're open this time of year, checking out fattoria san donato. there's a winery there that opens it's doors for lunch. everything you eat and drink, they make on their land. proscuitto, grappa, wine, bread, fruit, butter...you name it. it's the most decadent meal you'll probably ever have, and it's part of a tour to siena and san gimignano (which you can sign up to do at a small tourist office in florence, don't remember their name tho) - www.sandonato.it/italiano/...onato.html anyway! this is part of what I did in Italy like 4 years ago - i hope you have fun!! :D |
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Fri, January 18, 2008 - 10:17 AM
Thanks honey - I might extend my trip a couple of extra days if I can.
Ideally I want to spend a couple of weeks in all these places - but I guess this is a start...can always go back |
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Fri, January 18, 2008 - 10:20 AM
I have no tips, I just have happy for you taht you are going with a side of envy... but mostly happy :)
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Fri, January 18, 2008 - 10:21 AM
Hey miss Tara - now that you've done London...time to take on the world ;)
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Fri, January 18, 2008 - 10:21 AM
and that's just the tuscan hills ;) i never made it to rome, but it's a long trip by train unless you take the express. writing all that out made me all nostalgic :)
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Fri, January 18, 2008 - 1:27 PM
Venice is totally romantic, and kinda gothic, even. Loved it!
Florence was of course beautiful and full of culture. Rome is a fun, crazy adventure. Kinda like London, but with worse drivers. Pisa: One droopy tower and a gazillion tourists. |
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Sat, January 19, 2008 - 3:39 PM
Hmm.. I stayed at a really lovely b&b in Florence, do you need suggestions on places to sleep?
Also between Rome & Florence.. all I while traveling through Italy was a really beautiful handmade pair of Italian leather boots... and I thought waiting until I got to Rome was going to be best... well I was so so wrong and regret not getting a pair in Florence - there are so many leather shops and handmade there too - if you like leather goods and want a handmade to remember by piece - get it in Firenze |
