French la Vie

Photo by Sacha

 

Florence isn't big, but there is more to see in an inch then there is to see in most larger cities. Modern to medieval within a heartbeat. No matter where you look there is something to see, experience, feel and taste.

Sacha was the named photographer in our group, the few times I took the camera I knew I had to surrender it, otherwise it would have been glued to my face and I would have missed experiencing Florence with my family. 

 

Small family style restaurants not to miss:

The legendary Trattoria da Mario, a lively family-run place that serves good, well-priced Tuscan food for sixty years. Only open at lunch, drawing a crowd as they don't take reservations. Chelsea's boss told her about the place. 2 via Rosina,

trattoria-mario.com.  

 

 A place that we missed that I regret is Teatro del Sale… I guess that means we have to go back. I read about it in the Guardian:

"This has to be both the best deal and most original place to eat in Florence. It was created by flamboyant chef Fabio Picchi and his actress wife, Maria Cassi, and you pay €5 to join this artistic club, open from Tuesday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a live show at night. A tempting buffet is laid out, then the chef shouts out dishes from the window of his open kitchen and guests line up to be served wonderful creations like pasta with artichokes and red mullet, oven-roasted with herbs and olive oil. The meal spreads over 10 dishes, with wine and coffee included in the price. Dinner costs €10 extra, as the live entertainment is included in the price."
• 18 via de'Macci, +39 55 200 1492, edizioniteatrodelsalecibreofirenze.it.

 

 

 

 

The view from the Jardin de Boboli. 

A painting indeed even in December…

 

 

 

Photo by our friend Christina overlooking Florence.

A rare treat to have us all in one photo without any of us making a face.

 

 

 

Photo by Sacha

Center of Florence.

We visited the Palazzo Davanzati (I have a small video on my Facebook account as well as on Instagram.) which is a medieval home. The Palazzo Davanzati's kitchen was on the top floor… the poor cook. Chelsea saw a copy of an old cookbook and there was a recipe for stuffed figs. We are going to try it next summer.

 

 

Photo by Sacha.

 As it has been said, Florence, is literally an outdoor museum. The streets seem to have as many sculptures as there are people. The finest of grouping is found outside the Palazzo Vecchio in the Loggia dei Lanzi, built in the late 14th century. I couldn't get over how these incredible pieces were standing there in all their glory as if they had been protected. The mastery of history, stone and chisel, canvas and brush, concentration on art as an arrow to the heart.

 

 

Photo by Sacha

 

 

Photo by Sacha

 

Photo by Sacha and a crystal ball that I found at the brocante… 

 

 

 

Photo by Sacha 

 

One of the pleasure of walking around Florence was a sneak peek to something ahead, or a glimpse of a tower, facade, alcove shrine… It would take a month of Sundays just to see one street in depth, and that is not counting the antique shops, nor the places to eat. Sigh.

 

 

The color was inviting. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Sacha catching me drooling.

 

 

 

 Tuscany dreams unveiled before us.

 

 

Photo by Sacha

 

 

 

Photo by Sacha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

Photo by Sacha Modern Mona Lisa.

 

 

 

Photo by Sacha looking through the window of the museum.

 

 

 

Photo by Sacha, up close of the bridge.

 

 

 

Photo by Sacha

 

 

Photo by Sacha