TRAVELLING THE ITALIAN TUSCANY REGION

It must be hard to be an Italian and not be proud. There is so much to see in this boot shaped long but narrow country, famous for its food, the weather, the ancient history of Rome, the birth of the Renaissance, its charming Venice, Milan Duomo and the wonderful Tuscany region. Not to mention the passionate, vowel sounding language with its emphasis on the end when expressing words, such as Roma, Milano and Saint Gigminano! I will leave Rome, Venice and Milan for another blog and concentrate on the wine region and famous much loved Tuscany province, by European travellers. The chief city is Florence, with Pisa, Luca and Sienna being close partners, but also the whole Tuscany countryside is lovely with its hills, vineyards and colour. It's a soothing place to drive around and spring is a lovely time to visit as must be autumn. My recent trip based in Terme Montecatini with its famous baths museum which is worth an afternoon and tea trip. It has a lovely garden park and beautiful cafe and its a gorgeous setting for a wedding. Note that you may not bathe there it is a museum. Terme Montecatini is a small cosy, quiet town with some Gucci etc shops, and ladies, even if you have enough handbags, shoes or the like you will not be able to resist buying a new leather item!

FLORENCE FROM THE MICHAEL-ANGELO HILL

 

 DRIVING INTO TERME MONTECATINI

  

 BATH TAPS WITH SPECIAL DIFFERENT SPA WATERS

 

ONE OF THE DOMES OF THE BATHS

 

A SMALL GARDEN UPSTAIRS NEXT TO THE CAFE

It was my second time to Florence and you definitely need at least a full day here. It was hot even in early May at 30 degrees as it's in a valley so not as cool as Pisa. We looked at the Duomo up close last week, but once you leave the crowds of the main streets and squares, the Michelangelo museum with its array of statues and crowds outside, there are beautiful Italian streets to wander. Their  classical narrow paths are cool and breezy with few cars and the homogeneous four storey tall houses with closed windows and their wooden shutters, in browns, beige's and greens line the streets. The shutters keep out the hot sun in summer and keep rooms dark in the early morning. If you like walking, definitely stroll along both sides of the river and climb the very steep hill via the step to the top of Michelangelo hill with the real statue of David and entourage. There is a rose garden half way and a cafe at the top of the hill awaiting you. There is where you get your panorama view. It's stunning to say the least.... Pictures do paint 1000 words. When you walk down, take the path from the car park as it's interesting and you'll see different things. Everything is in its authentic state, no glitzy fake glamour, or inauthentic copies, but original states.

 

  

TAKEN FROM THE RIVER BELOW MICHELANGELO HILL

 

MICHELANGELO'S DAVID 

Even thought the Florence Cathedral is magnificent I think the Sienna cathedral is even more beautiful.  It's smaller, so is the city and its incredibly busy but I found it all far more ornamental than Florence. Perhaps because of it's small sizer. There are super restaurants and ice-cream shops, pizzas and cafes to rest those weary legs. It is a charming city and as an introduction to Italy I would even say a better choice to start with before Florence.  The cathedral is in pink and cream with a tower behind in green and white, and when the sun shines on the front facade in the afternoon it is breath-taking!

 

TYPICAL SIENNA STREETS - ALL PEDESTRIAN 

 

SIENNA CATHEDRAL FRONT FACADE 

 

THE COILED COLUMNS 

 WITH ITS DETAIL

 ANOTHER SIENNA CITY SQUARE

 WITH THE TOWER IN VIEW AND THE DOME BEHIND

 

AN IDEA OF ITS HEIGHT

 

ORNAMENTATION AROUND EVERY CORNER  

  

VIEW FROM THE SIENNA CITY WALL GATE   

Next week I'll zone into two smaller towns and one small monastery village namely, Luca, Pisa and Saint Gigmagnano.  Hopefully you're in a fully Italian mood now and tonight you're going to Eataly!