Today was really an early one. Bags downstairs ready to go at 6:30 AM and then a quick pass through the breakfast line. Load the coach and we are off to Malpensa Airport. At this hour the traffic was really light, yippee. Then as we approached the Autostrada, unbelievable congestion. Fortunately our driver seemed to know the back roads and we made it to the airport with plenty of time before scheduled departure. Well, better early than late. Going through security we got to the departure gate only to find the plane was delayed. And with a short 45 minute layover scheduled in Dusseldorf we were understandably nervous. Finally we board for the short (1.5 hour) flight.
Arriving at Dusseldorf some of us quickly go through passport control and run to the departure gate in the hopes of convincing Air Berlin to delay the flight to JFK long enough for the rest of the group to make it. No problem - the flight has also been delayed at least an hour. Actually, we finally departed for the US two hours late. Flight was pretty smooth except for some heavy chop over Newfoundland. The only thing marring the flight was the loss of a couple of our suitcases. Birnie bus was waiting for us and we finally arrived in Utica at 11:30 PM. We had been up for about 24 hours. Great to be home!
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Thursday, October 10, 2013
Milan Day Two - October 6
Today, our last full one in Italy, was to be a full one and we were going to use the city metro extensively to get around. So I got up early and went to purchase all day metro tickets for everyone. After breakfast we all headed down to the Udine metro stop. A few minutes later we emerged from the Lanza stop to meet our tour guide, Fedra, one of the best and most energetic tour guides I have ever met.
She was obviously doing something she loves. We started at the fortress Sforza at the northern most point of the old medieval city.
Then, walking down the main shopping street we took a little detour to the stock exchange. Looking at the monument below it is apparent that not everyone is enthralled with the stock exchange.
The tour ended in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (a high end shopping mall) and just then it started to rain.
Lunch on our own and then we met back in front of the city Duomo or cathedral to take the metro to the church of Santa Maria Della Grazie and DaVinci's Last Supper. The famous painting is extremely fragile and to protect it entry and exit are very restricted. Only 25 people at a time are allowed in to see it for a maximum of 15 minutes. Entry and exit are through air locks designed to minimize the infiltration of moisture, dust, and sudden temperature variations. A facility tour guide explained the process used by DaVinci, the symbolism that runs through out the portrait, and the history of the painting. It was thoroughly fascinating.Unfortunately we were not allowed to take any photos.
Returning to the hotel we had a little time to relax before dinner. Tonight we had our last supper in Italy in the Navigli district of Milan at La Ricceta di Mame (Mama's Recipe).
This started off with a series of appetizers served family style. Then a choice of a seafood (calamari) or a beef dish, served individually.
Departing on the metro again we returned to the hotel.
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| Fedra and ancient map of Milano |
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| Stock Exchange - Milan |
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| Universal Symbol Outside Stock Exchange |
The tour ended in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II (a high end shopping mall) and just then it started to rain.Returning to the hotel we had a little time to relax before dinner. Tonight we had our last supper in Italy in the Navigli district of Milan at La Ricceta di Mame (Mama's Recipe).
This started off with a series of appetizers served family style. Then a choice of a seafood (calamari) or a beef dish, served individually.
Departing on the metro again we returned to the hotel.
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Venice Day To Milan - October 5
Early up today for most of us, who wanted to make the trek to Murano Island to see a glass blowing demo and perhaps purchase a few pieces of this unique art form. It was pouring rain but that didn't dampen our determination. So right after breakfast off we went to jump on the next number 7 bus to Piazzale Roma. Once there we had to find the nearest vaporetto stop servicing the number 3 line which would take us to Murano.
The rain let up a bit as we boarded the water taxi, which became pretty crowded given the number of people boarding with us. One more stop before leaving the Grand Canal for more open waters and Murano Island. That was Ferrovia (literally "iron way"), the train station. Unbelievably even more people got on. We were packed in like sardines (or was it anchovies?). Visions of overloaded ferries sinking in third world countries filled my head. But this is Italy! Can't happen here, right? And where are the life jackets stored?
Fortunately after 15 or 20 minutes we arrived at the first of several stops on the island. But for most of us the first opportunity to disembark was the best one. Once off the boat we were literally herded, almost forcibly into a nearby "factory" for a glass blowing demo. This was not even a thinly veiled ruse to get us into the show room where we could purchase the glass products. Our group was at the rear of the crowd during the " demonstration" and could not see well. So we figured we would stick around for the next one in order to get better pictures. Well, the "management" wasn't having any of that and quickly ushered us out of the demo area and into the showroom with promises of further art demos. Never happen, GI.
Once in the show room the pressure was on to buy. A second room, containing obviously more expensive products was isolated with a thick velvet rope. I made the mistake of admiring a piece in that room which looked like a frozen slab cut from a tropical aquarium, complete with seaweed, bubbles, and fish. It was amazingly realistic. Suddenly the rope came down and in we go. Well, it turns out the piece I had admired was on sale! Of course! A mere 1600 Euros (about $2200). I beat it out of that room as quickly and carefully as possible! Ok, so we ended up spending 35 Euros for a Christmas tree ornament. That done we hopped the next vaporetto back to Piazzale Roma and a returning number 7 bus to the hotel. All in all, a lot of buggering around for what we purchased, but, WTF it was an experience!
Back at the hotel we had lunch, loaded the coach and departed for Milano with a stop first in Verona. On the Autostrada, Gianni pulled into an Autogrill, explaining that, as we were nearing Verona he had to purchase a tax stamp for our coach in order to legally enter the city, just as he did when we entered Mestre. For some reason there was a congregation of young (male) police officers at this particular stop and some of the ladies in our group were obviously interested in what was going on. Fortunately we were able to depart without incident.
Arriving in Verona we walked past its coliseum, smaller than the one in Rome, but still the third largest in existence. A large sound and lighting crew was disassembling the set for a recent opera performance. This ancient monument, with its crumbling walls makes a strangely attractive and even romantic setting for theatrical performances.
Behind the coliseum we found ourselves on one of the main shopping streets which was remarkably crowded. Eventually we found what we had come for, Juliet's balcony. Many don't realize that the story of Romeo and Juliet is based in fact and that they lived in medieval Verona. Below the balcony stands a bronze statue of Juliet. Certain parts of her anatomy are more highly polished than others as you can see in these photos.
Of course the many shops also got their share of attention. We only had two hours here and soon had to return to the coach.
Two hours later we arrived at the Hotel Nu in Milan. We were running a bit late so after a quick check in we had dinner at the hotel's roof top restaurant. This hotel was beautifully modern with a minimalist flair. The bedrooms may have been designed by Maxwell Smart, given the "dome of silence" above the bed. Hmm, dome of silence over the bed... Once upon a time...
Most of us made it an early night since tomorrow's walking tour was to begin at 9:00 and we had to take the metro first to get to the start location.
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The rain let up a bit as we boarded the water taxi, which became pretty crowded given the number of people boarding with us. One more stop before leaving the Grand Canal for more open waters and Murano Island. That was Ferrovia (literally "iron way"), the train station. Unbelievably even more people got on. We were packed in like sardines (or was it anchovies?). Visions of overloaded ferries sinking in third world countries filled my head. But this is Italy! Can't happen here, right? And where are the life jackets stored?
Fortunately after 15 or 20 minutes we arrived at the first of several stops on the island. But for most of us the first opportunity to disembark was the best one. Once off the boat we were literally herded, almost forcibly into a nearby "factory" for a glass blowing demo. This was not even a thinly veiled ruse to get us into the show room where we could purchase the glass products. Our group was at the rear of the crowd during the " demonstration" and could not see well. So we figured we would stick around for the next one in order to get better pictures. Well, the "management" wasn't having any of that and quickly ushered us out of the demo area and into the showroom with promises of further art demos. Never happen, GI.
Once in the show room the pressure was on to buy. A second room, containing obviously more expensive products was isolated with a thick velvet rope. I made the mistake of admiring a piece in that room which looked like a frozen slab cut from a tropical aquarium, complete with seaweed, bubbles, and fish. It was amazingly realistic. Suddenly the rope came down and in we go. Well, it turns out the piece I had admired was on sale! Of course! A mere 1600 Euros (about $2200). I beat it out of that room as quickly and carefully as possible! Ok, so we ended up spending 35 Euros for a Christmas tree ornament. That done we hopped the next vaporetto back to Piazzale Roma and a returning number 7 bus to the hotel. All in all, a lot of buggering around for what we purchased, but, WTF it was an experience!
Back at the hotel we had lunch, loaded the coach and departed for Milano with a stop first in Verona. On the Autostrada, Gianni pulled into an Autogrill, explaining that, as we were nearing Verona he had to purchase a tax stamp for our coach in order to legally enter the city, just as he did when we entered Mestre. For some reason there was a congregation of young (male) police officers at this particular stop and some of the ladies in our group were obviously interested in what was going on. Fortunately we were able to depart without incident.
Arriving in Verona we walked past its coliseum, smaller than the one in Rome, but still the third largest in existence. A large sound and lighting crew was disassembling the set for a recent opera performance. This ancient monument, with its crumbling walls makes a strangely attractive and even romantic setting for theatrical performances.
Behind the coliseum we found ourselves on one of the main shopping streets which was remarkably crowded. Eventually we found what we had come for, Juliet's balcony. Many don't realize that the story of Romeo and Juliet is based in fact and that they lived in medieval Verona. Below the balcony stands a bronze statue of Juliet. Certain parts of her anatomy are more highly polished than others as you can see in these photos.
Two hours later we arrived at the Hotel Nu in Milan. We were running a bit late so after a quick check in we had dinner at the hotel's roof top restaurant. This hotel was beautifully modern with a minimalist flair. The bedrooms may have been designed by Maxwell Smart, given the "dome of silence" above the bed. Hmm, dome of silence over the bed... Once upon a time...
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Bologna to Venice - October 4
Today we depart Bologna for Venice. We are scheduled to be picked up by motor coach at 08:00, but the coach cannot come to the hotel due to the surrounding streets being closed for the Feast of San Petronio, Bologna's patron saint. It's only a short walk to where we can reach the coach, but a bag drag across the cobblestone streets is not appealing. Nicola to the rescue. Using one of the Pizzoli vans to carry the luggage, the walk to the coach is much better.
Gianni, our driver, made it to Mestre, where our hotel was located, in just over two hours. The folks at the Hotel Ai Pini were very accommodating and got us into our rooms relatively quickly given that we arrived so far in advance of normal check in time. They even sent us down to their restaurant for complimentary coffees while we waited. Lunch at the hotel was delicious, consisting of quiche with porcini , risotto with asparagus and tiramisu for dessert.
While we were enjoying lunch the front desk prepared our vaporetto and bus passes. These allowed us to use the city buses and the water taxis (vaporettos) to get to and around Venice. But for the initial trip into Venice I wanted to ensure we all stayed together, so ...
Loading into a couple of Mercedes minivans we were transported to Roma, our gateway to Venice, where we met our tour guide, Giuliana. She took us on a lengthy walking tour ending up at Piazza San Marco, where we visited Saint Mark's Cathedral and the Doge's Palace.
The Palace was actually the seat of government. One of its most interesting aspects was the numerous drop boxes where "whistle blowers" of the past could leaving incriminating evidence of official corruption.
After the tour terminated I sent everyone off exploring (for many, this meant shopping) on their own, armed with their bus/vaporetto passes and instructions on how to get back to the hotel. OMG - what have I done?! Will I ever see them all again? After some wandering about and dinner most of us somehow ended up converging on the Rialto Bridge vaporetto stop at exactly the same time!! Thank you, Lord!!!
Taking the vaporetto back to Piazzale Roma we got on the bus back towards the hotel, but didn't really know where to get off. OK, gotta turn data roaming back on long enough to load the local map in my iPhone. Then I could use the GPS location services to see where we are relative to the hotel. Once back at the hotel it's off to bed because we have an early bus ride back to Venice in the morning to catch the vaporetto to Murano island before we leave for Milan.
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Gianni, our driver, made it to Mestre, where our hotel was located, in just over two hours. The folks at the Hotel Ai Pini were very accommodating and got us into our rooms relatively quickly given that we arrived so far in advance of normal check in time. They even sent us down to their restaurant for complimentary coffees while we waited. Lunch at the hotel was delicious, consisting of quiche with porcini , risotto with asparagus and tiramisu for dessert.
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| Hotel Ai Pini |
While we were enjoying lunch the front desk prepared our vaporetto and bus passes. These allowed us to use the city buses and the water taxis (vaporettos) to get to and around Venice. But for the initial trip into Venice I wanted to ensure we all stayed together, so ...
Loading into a couple of Mercedes minivans we were transported to Roma, our gateway to Venice, where we met our tour guide, Giuliana. She took us on a lengthy walking tour ending up at Piazza San Marco, where we visited Saint Mark's Cathedral and the Doge's Palace.
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| Tour guide Giuliana |
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| Venice "Street Scene" |
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| Complaints Hotline - Just Slip Your Note in the Slot |
After the tour terminated I sent everyone off exploring (for many, this meant shopping) on their own, armed with their bus/vaporetto passes and instructions on how to get back to the hotel. OMG - what have I done?! Will I ever see them all again? After some wandering about and dinner most of us somehow ended up converging on the Rialto Bridge vaporetto stop at exactly the same time!! Thank you, Lord!!!
Taking the vaporetto back to Piazzale Roma we got on the bus back towards the hotel, but didn't really know where to get off. OK, gotta turn data roaming back on long enough to load the local map in my iPhone. Then I could use the GPS location services to see where we are relative to the hotel. Once back at the hotel it's off to bed because we have an early bus ride back to Venice in the morning to catch the vaporetto to Murano island before we leave for Milan.
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Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Bologna Day Three - October 3
Early day today. Paola, our tour guide from yesterday met us at 8:00 AM and we boarded a motor coach to start our "gastronomic tour". First stop was a school where they teach the traditional agricultural methods. Here we learned how Parmagiano Reggiano is made. Starting with milk from local dairies and rennet the mixture is heated to a temperature just below boiling for a period of several hours until the cheese master determines it is ready. Then, the somewhat congealed substance is formed into the traditional wheel shape using a stainless steel form. After a few days the steel form is removed and the wheel of cheese already has the Parmagiano Reggiano label imbedded in the side. Then several of the wheels are loaded onto a sling platform and lowered into a vat of salt water.
After several days in the vat, as determined by the cheese master, the wheels are removed, allowed to dry and placed on shelves to begin the aging process. Every so often they are removed, turned over and placed back on the shelves. The cheese is normally ready in about two years although some is aged and sold after only a year or so. Before it can be sold, the cheese master checks it for quality by thunking the wheel all over its surface with a small hammer (somewhat like checking a watermelon). It can be evaluated as being of first or second class quality, or if it has too many defects, then the imbedded Parmagiono Reggiano label is ground off and it cannot be sold as the genuine product.
The wheels weigh about 35 kilos or 77 pounds and the cheese master handled them effortlessly as he demonstrated the testing and proper method of "cutting the cheese". But the best part of the tour was the tasting of the cheese. Interestingly it was served with a variety of condiments, honey, aged balsamic vinegar, plain, and on crackers with a topping of peach jam.
Next stop, the Ferrari Museum. On the way we passed the factory with what appears to be a full scale wind tunnel. Unfortunately they do not conduct factory tours except perhaps for customers. Maybe next time.
Inside the museum we saw the evolution of the famous race cars from the very beginnings to modern day. Close examination showed how as the engine technology matured and peaked out, aerodynamics took the fore front in enabling the vehicles to virtually fly around the track. But, in addition to the Formula One cars, it was interesting to see the various street cars owned by several celebrities, such as the one shown below that was built for Steve McQueen while he was filming "Bullet".
Departing Ferrari we drove out into the country side to an agritourismo where we enjoyed the most spectacular lunch imaginable. The food was outstanding, starting with an appetizer of turkey and porcini mushrooms paired with a pinoletto persecco (sparkling wine). This was followed by three different pasta, each delicious, and a still version of the pinoletto. Then we had two meat dishes, a beef and a veal which were served with merlot. All of the food and wines were locally produced, and the wines were from grapes on property.
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The final stop on our gastronomic adventure was at a Balsamic Vinegar producer. This is not the balsamic you buy in the grocery store and splash on your tossed salad. This is what is called "Traditional Balsamic", which has to meet specific standards as to the grapes used, the manner in which is aged and the length of time that it is aged. Originally this traditional balsamic vinegar was not produced for sale but only for personal use. And since the very best was aged for up to 25 or more years in progressively smaller wooden kegs, a cask was started fora person when they were still just an infant. Today you can purchase this wonderful liquid (the most highly aged and thus most expensive has the consistency of molasses) from the producers but is very expensive. All of this was explained to us prior to our actually tasting the products. Below is a picture of us tasting highly aged balsamic on ice cream!
Returning to Bologna we had some free time before dinner. Good thing, as the lunch was a huge affair. Dinner was at Cantina Bentivoglio, a really cool place where we were treated to the performance of a jazz trio as well as an excellent dinner. Since this was a distance from the hotel Novecento, we arrived by Blu car and took taxis back to the hotel after dinner. Tomorrow will again be an early day as we depart for Venice.
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After several days in the vat, as determined by the cheese master, the wheels are removed, allowed to dry and placed on shelves to begin the aging process. Every so often they are removed, turned over and placed back on the shelves. The cheese is normally ready in about two years although some is aged and sold after only a year or so. Before it can be sold, the cheese master checks it for quality by thunking the wheel all over its surface with a small hammer (somewhat like checking a watermelon). It can be evaluated as being of first or second class quality, or if it has too many defects, then the imbedded Parmagiono Reggiano label is ground off and it cannot be sold as the genuine product.
The wheels weigh about 35 kilos or 77 pounds and the cheese master handled them effortlessly as he demonstrated the testing and proper method of "cutting the cheese". But the best part of the tour was the tasting of the cheese. Interestingly it was served with a variety of condiments, honey, aged balsamic vinegar, plain, and on crackers with a topping of peach jam.
Next stop, the Ferrari Museum. On the way we passed the factory with what appears to be a full scale wind tunnel. Unfortunately they do not conduct factory tours except perhaps for customers. Maybe next time.
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| Ferrari Wind Tunnel and Factory |
Inside the museum we saw the evolution of the famous race cars from the very beginnings to modern day. Close examination showed how as the engine technology matured and peaked out, aerodynamics took the fore front in enabling the vehicles to virtually fly around the track. But, in addition to the Formula One cars, it was interesting to see the various street cars owned by several celebrities, such as the one shown below that was built for Steve McQueen while he was filming "Bullet".
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| Steve McQueen's Ferrari |
Departing Ferrari we drove out into the country side to an agritourismo where we enjoyed the most spectacular lunch imaginable. The food was outstanding, starting with an appetizer of turkey and porcini mushrooms paired with a pinoletto persecco (sparkling wine). This was followed by three different pasta, each delicious, and a still version of the pinoletto. Then we had two meat dishes, a beef and a veal which were served with merlot. All of the food and wines were locally produced, and the wines were from grapes on property.
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| Road to Agritourismo |
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| Agritourismo lunch |
.JPG)
.JPG)
The final stop on our gastronomic adventure was at a Balsamic Vinegar producer. This is not the balsamic you buy in the grocery store and splash on your tossed salad. This is what is called "Traditional Balsamic", which has to meet specific standards as to the grapes used, the manner in which is aged and the length of time that it is aged. Originally this traditional balsamic vinegar was not produced for sale but only for personal use. And since the very best was aged for up to 25 or more years in progressively smaller wooden kegs, a cask was started fora person when they were still just an infant. Today you can purchase this wonderful liquid (the most highly aged and thus most expensive has the consistency of molasses) from the producers but is very expensive. All of this was explained to us prior to our actually tasting the products. Below is a picture of us tasting highly aged balsamic on ice cream!
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| Tasting Balsamic on Ice Cream |
Returning to Bologna we had some free time before dinner. Good thing, as the lunch was a huge affair. Dinner was at Cantina Bentivoglio, a really cool place where we were treated to the performance of a jazz trio as well as an excellent dinner. Since this was a distance from the hotel Novecento, we arrived by Blu car and took taxis back to the hotel after dinner. Tomorrow will again be an early day as we depart for Venice.
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| Jazz at Bentivoglio |
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Bologna Day Two -October 2
Thought the crew could use some rest so scheduled the walking tour of Bologna for 10:00 so they could sleep in a bit.
Tour guide, Paola, covered some of the same ground that Amy did the previous day, but then took us into the old Bologna University building where we learned that this was the oldest university in Europe and how important it is to the town's economy. Today there are a total of about 100,000 students in Bologna, making up about 20 % of the city population. They come from all over the world. The old, original building (long outgrown) was originally constructed, after the University was already in existence for some time, to consolidate the physical location of the students and gain better control over them. In those days the students were not youngsters. They were wealthy adults who brought with them deeply seated cultures that helped make Bologna a relatively liberal and cosmopolitan society.
One of the most fascinating parts of the old building was the anatomy theater, where dissections were performed to teach students about anatomy. Initially these were only performed on animals, as the powerful Catholic Church forbade the dissection of human cadavers. However, some professors disobeyed and secretly performed dissections of human remains, ghoulishly exhumed at night from the graves of the family-less deceased.
Next we visited the Cathedral of San Petronio, patron saint of Bologna. Originally designed to be even larger than Saint Peter's in Rome, Vatican resistance caused construction to be truncated and the exterior facade has been left unfinished. A unique and most interesting feature of the church is solar calendar built into the floor. A brass band runs along the floor marking the months and days of the year. High up in the dome is a small, round window which admits sunlight. A bright spot of sunlight traces the sun's apparent movement across the floor. Just when the sun is at its apex, that spot falls onto the brass calendar indicating the day and month of the year.
This terminated the walking tour and everyone was on their own to shop and have lunch.
After lunch I took a small group to have a guided tour of the Ducati factory and museum. The museum director, Livio Lodi conducted the tour and while the production line was shut down for the holiday honoring San Petronio, it was still interesting to see and hear how these World Champion super bikes are constructed.
That night we walked from the hotel to dinner at "Pizza's" next to Nu Lounge, a favorite hangout for the younger crowd just across the main square.
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Tour guide, Paola, covered some of the same ground that Amy did the previous day, but then took us into the old Bologna University building where we learned that this was the oldest university in Europe and how important it is to the town's economy. Today there are a total of about 100,000 students in Bologna, making up about 20 % of the city population. They come from all over the world. The old, original building (long outgrown) was originally constructed, after the University was already in existence for some time, to consolidate the physical location of the students and gain better control over them. In those days the students were not youngsters. They were wealthy adults who brought with them deeply seated cultures that helped make Bologna a relatively liberal and cosmopolitan society.
One of the most fascinating parts of the old building was the anatomy theater, where dissections were performed to teach students about anatomy. Initially these were only performed on animals, as the powerful Catholic Church forbade the dissection of human cadavers. However, some professors disobeyed and secretly performed dissections of human remains, ghoulishly exhumed at night from the graves of the family-less deceased.
Next we visited the Cathedral of San Petronio, patron saint of Bologna. Originally designed to be even larger than Saint Peter's in Rome, Vatican resistance caused construction to be truncated and the exterior facade has been left unfinished. A unique and most interesting feature of the church is solar calendar built into the floor. A brass band runs along the floor marking the months and days of the year. High up in the dome is a small, round window which admits sunlight. A bright spot of sunlight traces the sun's apparent movement across the floor. Just when the sun is at its apex, that spot falls onto the brass calendar indicating the day and month of the year.
This terminated the walking tour and everyone was on their own to shop and have lunch.
After lunch I took a small group to have a guided tour of the Ducati factory and museum. The museum director, Livio Lodi conducted the tour and while the production line was shut down for the holiday honoring San Petronio, it was still interesting to see and hear how these World Champion super bikes are constructed.
That night we walked from the hotel to dinner at "Pizza's" next to Nu Lounge, a favorite hangout for the younger crowd just across the main square.
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Saturday, October 5, 2013
Florence to Bologna - October 1
This morning there was free time before our departure for Bologna. Some took advantage of it to get in some additional shopping, while other went to see "The David" (the original) located at the Accademia. The lines of people at the entrance were very long but since we had made on line reservations, we were able to get in fairly closely to our appointed time. The line for those without reservations was a couple of blocks long.
At 12:15 the two minivans pulled up, we loaded luggage and were shortly on our way to the Florence train station. We arrived in plenty of time to make the train, but these things are never late so we didn't want to take a chance. But this time it was late. Some issue involving the tracks between Rome and Florence caused the train to be rerouted and arrive 45 minutes late.
Once on board it was only about a 40 minutes ride from Florence to Bologna. We arrive in the newly opened subterranean platform of Bologna Centrale.
Amy was waiting on the platform for us to help guide us through the new terminal, but we got separated and ended up at ground level on the wrong side of the terminal. After some frustrating escalator rides we finally made our way to the main entrance where Amy had eight "Blu cars" waiting to take us to the Hotel Novecento located in the old part of the city.
After check in she gave everyone an overview orientation of the central part of the city starting with the Piazza Magiore, to the old towers and through the food market. Then everyone met in the hotel where the management offered us welcome drinks and snacks.
Dinner tonight was at La Mela and Amy and Andrew joined us. Then it was off to well needed rest before tomorrow's walking tour.
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At 12:15 the two minivans pulled up, we loaded luggage and were shortly on our way to the Florence train station. We arrived in plenty of time to make the train, but these things are never late so we didn't want to take a chance. But this time it was late. Some issue involving the tracks between Rome and Florence caused the train to be rerouted and arrive 45 minutes late.
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| Freccerossa High Speed Train |
Amy was waiting on the platform for us to help guide us through the new terminal, but we got separated and ended up at ground level on the wrong side of the terminal. After some frustrating escalator rides we finally made our way to the main entrance where Amy had eight "Blu cars" waiting to take us to the Hotel Novecento located in the old part of the city.
After check in she gave everyone an overview orientation of the central part of the city starting with the Piazza Magiore, to the old towers and through the food market. Then everyone met in the hotel where the management offered us welcome drinks and snacks.
Dinner tonight was at La Mela and Amy and Andrew joined us. Then it was off to well needed rest before tomorrow's walking tour.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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