Florence, Italy, on shadowed, smelly and eerily silent Via Squazza: Not a spot frequented by tourists, and, in fact, my tiny tour group makes up the only people on this narrow street. But if this door could talk, it would tell you that it was the first home to Lisa Gherardini, born June 15, 1479….
Tag: Florence
Bottling the Renaissance
“You cannot miss the Farmacia!” urged my friend Rachel a couple of years ago in Florence. We finished our caffès and then she expertly guided me through Florence’s cobbled streets to Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. The “pharmacy”, which today is really more of a fragrance museum, still sells formulations which were popular among…
Scenes from inside the Duomo
I never meant to climb to the top of the Duomo in Florence, but then I did. And, as often happens while traveling, this accident turned into a very special memory. I wandered the same tight turns and corridors as Duomo’s mastermind Filippo Brunelleschi and his workers. I even saw tools — some of them…
Lots and lots of Locks.
The view from the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, Italy, is stunning in every direction. Yet despite all of the eye candy within site (the Arno river, two other breathtaking bridges, all in the shadow of Brunelleschi’s famous dome), the question going through my mind was, “what’s with all the locks?” Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons I…
Buona Pasqua – Happy Easter
This popular Italian proverb means, “Christmas with your family, Easter with whomever you want.” I imagine Holy Week is full of festivities all over Italy! Please share in the comments any special experiences you’ve had during Eastertime in Italy. Looking for more Pasqua-related proverbs? I suggest L’Italo-Americano. For Italian Easter traditions, visit Becoming Italian Word by Word (this…
Just your friendly neighborhood Duomo
This is Florence for me: all red tiled roofs and walking the same streets as the Renaissance rock stars. Then BAM, you turn the corner and look who is there to greet you: your friendly neighborhood Duomo. For more Duomo love may I suggest Brunellschi’s Dome by Ross King. For a great, in-depth story on…
Written on the heart
To all who love Italy and keep a little piece tucked in their heart always. I invite you to sign my guestbook, and be sure to like my Facebook page, where I share often about Italy!
Breathtaking Florence
Never miss the chance to peek down an alley (un vicolo). Breathtaking beauty often awaits. Photo by Prayers and Piazzas near the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
Dreamy Florence
Peace, love, and Florence. Photo of Ponte Santa Trinita` by Prayers and Piazzas.
Strolling Mona Lisa’s Florence
This time last year I found myself waking up in Florence — strange for a Southern California resident — the chimes of the Duomo’s bells drifting through my open window. For me, every morning in Italy feels full of opportunity and ripe with undiscovered memories. But this particular morning promised a once-in-a-lifetime gift. On a whim,…
Prayers & Piazzas 