Last Two Days in Florence..Don't Make Me Leave!!

Hey everyone!

Our last two days in Florence have been so spectacular that I am sad to think that we must leave this glorious city in the morning.

Yesterday morning, we went to visit the Palazzo Vecchio, which has been the seat of the Florentine government for some time. Pictures of the Palazzo Vecchio have appeared on the blog already but the piazza has many statue recreations from what previously stood there. Most prominently featured is a copy of Michelangelo's David, which is no where near as well done as the real one, but it is a copy.

In the afternoon, we visited the church of San Miniato. The Benedictan church sits on a hill and is home to a number of monks. We had to wait about a half hour until we could enter the church because the monks were conducting prayer. In this way, I felt the reality of the church as more than a tourist location because the monks dictated when we could enter the church. The wait was well worth it though because the inside of the church was gorgeous. The highlight of the interior is a mosaic depiction of Jesus, which had not been restored and was still mindblowingly beautiful. The fresco cycles on the walls of the church were also still very much in tact. We were also treated to an impromptu organ concert by one of the monks and it was absolutely amazing. Mom was excited because he played Toccata in D minor by Sebastian Bach and it was stunning. The entire concert was an unexpected treat.

While the interior of the church was a highlight, the church has an unbeatable view of Florence so naturally we took a few moments and took some pictures. See below for those!

In the evening, we had our farewell dinner with our group at Le Colonnine on the Via Del Benci. The meal was a five course, which included prosciutto with Tuscan croutons, vegetable soup, pasta with Tuscan meat sauce, roast pork loin with baked potatoes, and beefsteak Florentine style. Normally, I don't shout about meat but the beefsteak was cooked medium rare and was AMAZING! In the words of Robert Lee Abell, "FINALLY, someone knows how to cook a steak!". Dinner was followed by dessert, which was cheesecake for me. American restaurants should start using ricotta cheese in their cheesecake...it makes it so much softer!! We also tried Italian grappa as an after dinner drink, which was strong. You only need two shots!

This morning, we completed our trip with the tour at the Accadamia where Michelangelo's David is housed. I have seen many pictures of the David in class, but seeing the real thing is NOTHING like the photos. It absolutely took my breath away. It was truly a masterpiece. Interesting fact about Michelangelo, he used to sign his letters, "Michelangelo-Sculptor". After the David was finished, he just signed with "Michelangelo". I guess he knew he was going to be famous after that piece and he was right.

We also visited the Medici chapels, which were commissioned by Michelangelo who clearly was not a Medici fan as the chapel was not very attractive compared to his other work. After that, we said a farewell to our group and went on our way.

As Karen Blixen wrote, "it is a strange thing, farewell. There is such envy in it. Men go off to be tested, for courage. And if we're all tested at all, it's for patience, for doing without, for how well we can endure loneliness".

Sometimes, fascinating people come into our lives for just a moment and then they are gone, which is what happened today. Fortunately for me, everyone lives in DC, so it is conceivable that I will see them again. Dr. Ambrosio and his wife, Deborah are truly fantastic people who ran a wonderful trip. I learned so much and am blessed to have been apart of the journey.

After we departed from the group, Mom, Dad, Sara and I wandered around Florence. We had lunch at a pizzeria and took some pictures around the Ponte Vecchio and Santa Croce. Dad and I took a walk a little later around the church of Santa Maria Novella and retraced some steps from my EF trip of two years ago.

This evening, we took yet another walk and found the best gelato of the trip near the Uffizi Gallery. It is too bad it took us until the last night to find this place because it was so good that Mom and I both had two cups of it.

Our time in Florence might be over but we depart with fond memories of the beautiful city that we spent ten days in. Sometime when I'm older, I'll return to the city, close my eyes and recall days that have passed when I was a Georgetown student traveling to Florence with friends and family. I hope I get that chance.

I will share with you everyone's favorites of the trip though!

Sara
1. Church of San Miniato: seclusion on the hilltop, organ playing in the church. Feeling of the reality of the church where Monks control the visits.
2. Michelangelo's David--perfect true masterpiece.
3. Church of San Spirito--Brunelleschi's architecture

Mom
1. Donatello's David--bronze sculpture technique and the who androgynous effect
2. Duomo Baptistery Ceiling Mosaics
3. Views from San Miniato/Ponte Vecchio

Dad
1. Michelangelo's David
2. Frau Angelico's Innunciation
3. Masiacchio's "The Holy Trinity"

MINE!
1. Michelangelo's David--perfect in very way.
2. San Miniato--organ playing, seemed like a working church
3. Bargello Museum--Donatello's David, and other pieces
--Extra shout-out to Brancacci chapel and the Mosaccio fresco cycles.

I do hope you have enjoyed my blog! See below for pictures and make sure you read my blog whenever I take my next trip!

Near the Uffizi

THE DAVID!

View from San Miniato

I'm definitely going to return to Florence a third time!

There must be many pictures of the view from San Miniato

I will miss the proscuitto and delicious cheese!!

San Miniato

Me and Lil SRA

Dressed up for one final dinner

One last gelato!

May the wind be always at your back.

Ciao for now!

Annalee

Art..Art..Art...and SHOPPING!

Hey everyone!

We have had a great day in Florence as per usual!

We spent the morning at the Palazzo Pitti, which serves as museum, fashion site and former royal palace. We walked through the Renaissance museum which has a large collection of Botichelli and Raphael pieces. No photos were allowed so I have nothing to prove it...but we did go:) The pieces were spectacular and we were introduced to the mannerist style, which proved interesting.

The Palazzo Pitti is also home to the former royal chambers so some of the rooms were draped with finery and old-fashioned furniture, which I love. Other parts of the museum featured modern art and 12 paintings that were on loan from Musee D'Orsay in Paris so I got the pleasure of viewing some familiar Monet and Pizarro pieces. Such a great morning! On a side note, the Renaissance woman comment from the earlier post is working out really well for Mom...one of our group members even mentioned it to her a second time! She is a truly beautiful Renaissance woman:)

After the tour of the Palazzo Pitti, we wandered to Piazza Santo Spirito to find lunch. We ran across this small little pizzeria, which had fantastic pizza! Sara and I had this sweet sausage pizza with soft cheese and Dad had something similar with a different type of cheese. Mom had a pizza with zucchini and sheep cheese. Sara was later excited for her delicious chocolate cake, which she finally received.

Lunch was followed by a walk to the Ponte Vecchio neighborhood where Mom, Sara and I all bought LEATHER GLOVES! They are so soft and lined with cashmere. I'm so excited about them and I am sure they are too. Dad and Mom also bought a lovely decorative plate for the dining room, which will be an outstanding addition.

We walked back to the hotel and rested for a bit. In the evening, Mom, Dad and I walked around and went to a bakery at the Piazza Republica called Gilli's. We tried some pastries and I got to have the famous Italian hot chocolate, which is very thick. Delicious!

Tomorrow, we are touring the Palazzo Vecchio, which is now the location of the Florentine government and then gather some height for pictures from a church on the hill.

Make sure you check back tomorrow!!

Lunch!

A busy day in Florence:)

Views from the Palazzo Pitti

So beautiful!!

More views in Florence!

Modeling my new gloves:)

Delicious!!

Annalee

A Day of Sculpture and Church Visits in Florence

Hey everyone!

The art tour of Florence continues! Today was one of our most memorable days so far, which is saying a lot since we have seen some spectacular pieces already.

We began our morning at the Bargello, which is home to many famous Michelangelo and Donatello pieces. I was especially moved by the Brutus bust created by Michelangelo and Donatello's "David". Michelangelo was able to accurately depict the two faces of Brutus through small lines in the face. It was his way of saying that Brutus was the worst kind of traitor even though he was allegedly fighting for the Roman republic.

Donatello's "David" is a sculpture of the biblical King David of Israel immediately after he kills Goliath. The sculpture has a hint of homoeroticism and gender ambiguity. I'm not entirely sure why Donatello used those characteristics, but it could suggest that heroes come in all shapes and sizes.

After the Bargello, we went on to the Duomo Museum, which houses Michelangelo's Florentine Pieta. Those who have been to the Vatican will remember that there is Pieta there as well. Milan also boasts a Pieta by Michelangelo. However, the Florentine Pieta was commissioned by Michelangelo himself for his grave, but he thought it too ugly and became ashamed of it. I was flabbergasted by that knowledge because it is quite spectacular.

Now..the important stuff....LUNCH! We went back to the Ristorante Parone from the first day because Dad said he wanted to try other things on their menu. I ordered lobster spaghetti while Dad went back to the wild boar with pallenta. Mom had sea bass and Sara had pasta with a tomato/cream sauce. All DELICIOUS!

For dessert, I ordered creme brûlée, Dad had cheesecake and Mom had tiramisu. Now, the basic cheesecake might have been invented in New York City, but the Parone has perfected it. By far the most delicious dessert.

This afternoon, we continued our art journey and visited the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine and the Brancacchi chapel. Last night, we saw some slides on the fresco cycles so it was stunning to see it in person. The cycle features Adam and Eve depictions and the crucifixion of Saint Peter among others. Stunning!

Tonight, we relaxed a little and then went out for some gelato. Dad found this place near the Duomo that was top rated and it was spectacular. I had hazelnut, candied chestnut and egg cream, which were all great. I doubt I will encounter any food in Italy that I dislike!

Tomorrow, we have another full day of art tours so be sure to check back:)

Lobster Spaghetti!

Adam and Eve fresco 

The most perfect cheesecake

Saint Peter's Death

The banishment of Adam and Eve from Eden

Donatello's David. 

New Year's Eve in Florence!

Happy New Year!

I hope 2014 is off to a great start for all of you. Yesterday in Florence was relaxed during the day and crazy at night.

In the morning, we visited the Church of Santa Maria Novella located near the train station with the same name. I had been to this piazza before so it was memorable trip for me. The church has a history of Dominican order, which is obvious in the decoration. The frescoes are lovely with incredible attention to detail. They cover the walls and ceilings of the church parallel to the altar as well as behind it.

After we visited the church, we moved onto the Baptistery of the Duomo, which has a ceiling covered in mosaics depicting classic biblical scenes such as Adam and Eve, The Exodus from Egypt and the Crucifixion of Jesus. I have seen a great many pieces of art in churches throughout my life but this one blew me away. Never have I seen anything as detailed that ceiling keeping in mind that I have been to the Sistine Chapel in Rome.

In the afternoon, we walked around and had a delicious lunch of prosciutto and ravioli. I will never get tired of the Italian food:)

On New Years Eve, we gathered with our group for dinner. The menu was set with a champagne reception followed by salted cod w/ chickpeas, risotto with artichokes & shrimp, LOBSTER!,  and wild berry soup with panettone.

We had ordered coffee but then realized that midnight was only 15 minutes away so we ditched out on coffee and headed for the Palazzo Vecchio. It was packed with 20 year olds and people were going CRAZY! Firecrackers and Fireworks were being set off in the streets and people were throwing champagne bottles in the air. The Italians definitely know how to throw a good party. After the partying was over, we started 2014 in good Italian fashion with GELATO! A delicious way to being the New Year.

Today, we slept in because all the museums and locations were closed. After a late breakfast, we walked around the northern part of Firenze, which is mostly residential. It was a nice walk that we followed with lunch. I had a divine pumpkin soup coupled with a sirloin steak w/ arugula and Parmesan.

Tomorrow, we will start back with our academic visits so make sure you check back:)

Annalee

Days 2-3 of the Florentine Renaissance!

Hey everyone!

Sorry I wasn't able to post last night. Actually, I could've easily posted but decided to go to bed instead as I was exhausted from walking around the entire city yesterday. As such, this post will be a blend of the last two days.

Yesterday morning, we walked around the oldest part of Florence, which is home to some important figures, such as Dante. The area now is quite residential with little hidden churches all around. Afterwords, we had a delicious lunch at a ristorante not far from the hotel. Boar is frequently hunted around here this time of year and is a delicacy in the restaurants. Naturally, Dad had to order it as soon as he heard that information. I tried a little bite and it was delicious but I enjoyed my spaghetti with clams and garlic just as much :)

In the afternoon, we visited the Uffizi Gallery, which is home to a number of famous paintings including Botechelli's Birth of Venus. No photos were allowed in the Uffizi, so the one at the bottom is something I copied from Google. Botechelli's work literally took my breath away and gave me chills. The Birth of Venus was by far the highlight, but the rest of museum was incredible as well.

For dinner, we just had pizza and gelato:) Not too shabby a meal.

Sidenote from Day 2: interesting factoid:  our guide said the height of renaissance beauty according to Florentine standards was a strawberry blondish hair color, similar to Patty Abell's hair color.  She's riding pretty high after this comment.

Day 3
This morning, we went to the Conventto San Marco and the Pallazo Medici Chapel. The convent was ok and did show though distinction of the religion, but the Medici Chapel was incredible. It appears that the Italians were not too different from other societies. They used their art as propaganda and painted themselves with leaders and religious figures.

In the afternoon, went to the Church of Santa Croce, which is famous for housing the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and has a shrine to Dante.

Interesting fact about Dante, he was exiled to Ravenna and wanted to return to Florence all his life. After his exile, he wrote the Divine Comedy, which is composed of three books: The Purgatorio, the Inferno and the Paradisio. He declared before his death that his body should not be returned to Florence. If the Florentines did not want him in life, they should not get him in death.

For lunch, I had a delicious plate of carpaccio and then ravioli. Delicious:)

Dinner was proscuitto w/ melon and then pizza pizza pizza followed by gelato! The food here is insane so it must be consumed.

Tomorrow, we are going to the Church of Santa Maria Novella. The evening is being occupied by New Years Dinner and then ringing in the New Year in the Palazzo Vecchio. So excited!

House of Dante

Prosciutto con melone

Me and Lil SRA at the Ponte Vecchio

Spaghetti w/ clams and garlic:)

Duomo

Church de Santa Croce

Carpoccio con arugala y mozarella

Florence at night!

The most delicious GELATO!

Check back tomorrow!

Annalee

Arrival In Florence

Hi everyone!

After a long day of traveling, I have arrived in Florence!

We had a connection through Paris this morning and got to Florence around noon. Our hotel is extremely centrally located and is one block from the Piazza Republica and 2-3 blocks from the Duomo. Fantastic spot! There are so many shops, restaurants and gelato hot spots that are to die for.

Today, we arrived at our hotel and then went out to lunch at a local spot. Dad and I split a cheese ravioli w/ ricotta and spinach filling as well as a eggplant cucumber carpaccio. I went for the lasagna as my main dish, while Sara had pork, Dad had lamb stuffed with artichokes and Mom had a white fish with vegetables. A great first meal in Florence!

Later this evening, we gathered with our academic group for a welcome drink to Florence. Tomorrow, we are going to take a walking tour of Dante's Florence and visit the Uffizi Galleria in the afternoon. The Uffizi is one of the best art museums in the entire world and I can't wait to learn from Dr. Ambrosio. Botticelli's Birth of Venus is arguably the most famous painting in the museum so that is the one that I am most excited to see.

Tonight, we are back in the hotel to get a little extra sleep so we can be fresh for Italian adventures in the morning.

Check back tomorrow!

Annalee

Another Year...Another Trip!

Hi everyone!

After a short discussion with some family members, I have decided to resurrect my blog for my upcoming trip to Florence, Italy!

This will be my second trip to Florence but this one will contain an academic perspective. I am lucky enough to still be studying at Georgetown University but am now in the Liberal Studies Graduate Department. Dr. Ambrosio, who teaches Dante to undergraduates and graduate students is leading a tour focusing on Dante and the Florentine Renaissance. The tour goes for about ten days through several museums and Florentine landmarks. At the end, I have to write a 25 page paper to get credit for the class. My parents and little sister are also coming on the trip but do not have to write the paper, obviously.

The last time I was in Florence was about a year and a half ago with some of my friends. As some of you know, I went on a tour with EF College Break and met some great people as we toured through Turkey, Greece and Italy and Florence was one of our stops. Cera, Tara, Michelle and I wandered around the streets of Florence until the wee hours of our last night there after a lovely dinner. I miss those girls quite a bit and returning to the city will bring back fond memories that we had there.

Either way, I am excited to return to Florence and to be there for New Years Eve! I am also hoping that the academic side of the trip will also prove to enlightening.

Nonetheless, I am looking forward to great food, wine, gelato, learning and Italian culture.

                                  Michelle, I guess the pig does work. I am returning to Florence!

The last time I was in Florence...the last meal!

Tara at the Ponte Vecchio Bridge