Wine Club Trip: Travel Journal - July 29, 2008

Italy Trip - Day 3: The Art of Firenze

Today we wake up early - we go to Firenze (Florence) today!

We are greeted by another country breakfast of fresh squeezed juice, espresso, meats and cheese, then we load into air conditioned mini-vans for the half hour drive to Florence.

We are dropped off at the Duomo – a HUGE green, white and pink marble church a city block large, with a 6 story terra cotta dome that you can see from far off in the countryside. It has just been cleaned and is quite a site. Our tour guide, Eleana, is a trained art historian and tells us great details of the history of the artists, the period and the architecture.

We then brave the flying vespas and walk the thin cobblestone sidewalks to the Piazza della Signora, the main government plaza of the town. We receive another architecture and art discussion there looking at the many sculptures and fountains in the square – including the replica of where the David once sat. Then we are off to the Ponte Vecchio – the “old bridge” that connected the town to the Medici palace. The Medici did not like the smell of the food vendors on the bridge, so they mandated that only gold and silver vendors can be on the bridge, and this is still true today.

Crossing back over the river Arno, we head to the Accademia, the museum that houses the David. This grand 13 foot high statue is magnificent and we are lucky to have such a knowledgeable guide. She not only knows all about Michelangelo and the David, but she also knows how to get us in…and out – while others wait in a line that roams around the block!

Now it is lunch. We go to a local Trattoria that is very popular with the locals. We are treated to bottles of Chianti, and then the huge plates arrive: meats, pickled vegetables, olives, bruschetta – the antipasti are a meal itself. But no sooner is that taken when two types of pasta come to replace it: home-made ravioli with pears and pappardelle with wild boar sauce. Finally, Bellissimo! The dessert plate comes piled high with tiramisu, custard, fresh berries and chocolate cake. Mamma Mia!

Refreshed from our meal, we walk through the city again and window shop. We end up back at the Piazza della Signora and our tour guide once again gains us swift entrance into the Uffizi gallery. Here we are taught about the work of Botticelli, Michelangelo and Leonardo. It is the most important museum in all of Italy and what a tour!

We get back in time for a leisurely drink by the pool before we head out to a local pizzeria. There the Chianti and more antipasti plates show up almost immediately, followed by some of the crispiest, gooiest pizza I have ever had with ham and sausage and fresh basil. We finish with house made profiteroles covered with chocolate sauce.

Now the group is off to bed to dream of art and food and wine. This must be what Italians dream of…