AUGUST 21st - Day 16

Florence: Uffizi & Academia - Day 16

Buongiorno!! I am now in Florence! Me and my little group arrived yesterday by train from Venice.  The 2-hour journey was very relaxing, except for the spilled Fanta soda all over Kelsey's chair on board.

Before I go any further, let me apologize for not posting the Daily in time for our Subscriber Email.  Tanya was out on the road and I had a little adventure that prevented me from posting.  So, here is The Daily for August 20 - Day 15.
 

LAST VIEW OF THE RIALTO BRIDGE

Now, back to our Venice departure. We had our last view of the Rialto Bridge as we drove away in the water taxi towards the Venice Train station.  What a magical trip this was!! I will be back here soon! A big shout out to Tedd for making such a luxurious trip possible!!! It has been a dream come true vacation and a memory with Grandma that me and the girls will always treasure! 

Our arrival to Florence was an interesting one, as we had a little adventure.  We got a taxi right away and arrived at our rental apartment quite quickly. This was the very first place I booked for my Italy trip.The owner was very sweet and we corresponded regularly.  Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, beyond anyone's control, we made the decision to leave and, instead, stay in a nearby hotel.   

OUR FLORENCE-BOUND TRAIN

SELFIE BEFORE BOARDING THE TRAIN

I immediately sprung into action and with the help of Stephen, my long-time, loyal and reliable travel agent and friend, we worked together to find alternative accommodations near the the Piazza Santa Maria Novello.  

SANTA MARIA NOVELLO PIAZZA, FLORENCE

What a lovely area! Lots of open space, restaurants and delightful horse and carriages clip-clopping by.

This morning we are scheduled for a 3-hour tour of  the Ufizzi Museum and the Academia with our tour guide Francesca. Upon our return to the Piazza Santa Maria Novello, we'll be taking a horse and carriage ride.

STATUE OF COSIMO DE'MEDICI

Francesca met me bright and early and together we headed first to the Ufizzi where we spent two hours.  I have to say that I was very fortunate because I wound up being the only one on this tour. The kids were a bit run down, so Mom volunteered to stay with them and let them rest since she had been to the Uffizi years ago.

What a delight it was to walk around Florence with Francesca!  She shared so many tidbits of knowledge about the city, along ith pointing out a number of historic buildings and sites, which I was quick to snap pictures!

THE UFFIZI

GUIDO ARETINO (INVENTOR OF THE MUSICAL NOTES)

I gained lots of information about the founding of Florence from before the Romans settled it and Fiesole was already settled on the hills by the Turks.  Lots of details about the Medici family and their role politically, economically and as patrons of the arts throughout Florence's history. 

THE DUOMO

Seeing the art of Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Rafael and Leonardo de Vinci in person was surreal  A little trivia about the artist Botticelli.  I found out his real name was Allesandro Felipe. It is his nickname, "Botticelli" that he was known which means "little round barrel" because he was chubby.

Next we walked to the Accademia, passing the Duomo along the way.  I will be headed back there tomorrow to tour the inside.  What can I say about the David and to see this magnificent masterpiece in person!!

Great touring day in Florence!! 
Ciao!
-E

York to The Cotswolds 
- Day 16

Hi there!
Writing to you from Yorkshire, here in England. 
Yup, I'm back in Merry 'ol England. We drove and started the road-trip portion of our trip yesterday from Edinburgh to York.

Buying some chocolates for the road!

Such absolutely lovely countryside. I couldn't take enough pictures! The scenery was so delightful! The hills were spotted with white adorable sheep, and cows. There were also horses along the way. 

It was beautiful, and made me so happy to see these animals living life the way they should. They were free to roam and wander the vast land. The baby animals were nursing whenever they wanted, they had wide open space that went on for as far as the eye could see! It was really NOTHING like California, and too many other places in the USA that should be ashamed of themselves for such awful conditions! 
I would move to Europe in a heartbeat for so very many reasons. If I could get my family to come along it would be a done deal!!

Now, as for today. Well to start with, it's Throwback Thursday! Here's a short bit from a National Park road-trip, with lots of pictures, that I hope you enjoy!
Poor Dave B, I think I'm slowly killing him over here! I'm kinda hard to keep up with, and he's trying his best. But...I think it's too much for him. He's crumpling :(
This morning he even said that he thinks I need another travel companion!

We are going to tour the York Minister, and walk about and shop in the Shambles before continuing our road-trip to The Cotswolds.

- The York Minster is a massive gothic cathedral and the largest of its kind in Northern Europe. 
We had drove past it a few times while driving in circles (not being able to locate our hotel) last night, and it was quite an amazing architectural sight!

- The Shambles as it is often referred to, is a street in the city centre of York with a long and interesting past...

Today it features great shops, cafes, restaurants and tourist attractions. The Shambles is one of the most famous streets in Britain.
This year's winner of Google's Most Picturesque Street in Britain!! (You know, that I'll be snapping away!)

After all of that and on the way to The Cotswolds, I'm very excited about stopping at the treetop park called GoApe in the Delamere Forest! 
Time to go play!!!
Dave is a bit scared.. But he's gotta do it with me! 
I don't like doing certain things by myself, and this is one of those things. (Don't worry mom, it's safe!) 

I'm be back tomorrow to fill you in on what today was like, how everything is going and give you the scoop on all that is new and exciting!

Same time, same place!
Ciao 4 Now,
-T