I met the charming and vivacious Judith Campanaro quite by chance, and was happy to help her plan her time in Florence. She went to Tuscany in May on a painting trip and is exhibiting her work this weekend. I am hoping to make it to her opening. She wrote this piece about her experiences and about how my advice helped. I hope all you travelers will take heed--pack light and bring comfortable shoes!
Judith writes:
I was attending Jennifer Louden'sbook signing at Third Place Books and happened to sit next to Paula. As we chatted, I told her I was planning a trip for the following month that would include time in Florence. Call it serendipity if you will, but I am a firm believer that there are no accidents. She told me about her company Time of Your Life Tours, and said she would be happy to help me, and soon became my e-mail buddy. She offered me so many tips and advice that made my dream adventure, well, the time of my life.
If you've never been to Florence, I highly recommend it. The trip taught me so much about myself. Call it a sentimental journey if you will, but it was a journey I will never forget. I came home with a clearer understanding of my heritage and with wonderful memories that will last forever.
Paula told me to pack light and I am SO glad I did! Per her suggestion, I took just a few pieces that I could mix and match--like one pair of pants, a skirt, and a couple of tops, and a sweater. That was it. I got some small toiletries at the supermarket and I was all set. My suitcase was small and light and it made for very easy handling at the airport and on the train. In fact, I had to buy another small suitcase to carry home all my treasures and souvenirs--but that, apparently, is a common problem and one that vendors anticipate. There was inexpensive luggage of all types for sale in the markets and I found just what I needed for a resonable price.
Florence is a feast of visual beauty, a city of art and culture. It is magical and seductive. There are gentle hills surrounding it, and in the distance the mountains of Chianti. The Arno River is beautiful and flows right through the city. The neighborhoods around the river on both sides are full of interesting shops. The famous Florentine Duomo is an architectural masterpiece, and there are many, many amazing churches, museums, and places to see. This is certainly a city for art lovers.
Thank goodness Paula told me to wear flat shoes! I walked everywhere and the narrow, uneven, cobblestone streets are definitely not conducive to even low heeled pumps. I'm not quite sure how those gorgeous Italian women managed in their high heels (maybe you have to be born here?), but I for one could not handle anything but my comfortable walking shoes. Just visiting the Uffizi took hours and my feet needed lots of breaks.
Nevertheless, the magnificence of the Uffizi will always remain in my memory. I especially loved seeing Botticelli's Birth of Venus and La Primavera. There are some 42 rooms in the museum and 1500 paintings from the 13th to the 18th centuries. It was absolutely breathtaking!
The Accademia museum, built in 1784, houses Michelangelo's awesome David . There is also a David outside the Uffizi, but it's a copy. Actually, there are copies of the David all over town. You can even buy one for your very own for 5 euro. Anyway, the real David is something to behold, truly stunning.
One evening there was a concert in the piazza near the Uffizi. I was tired from all my walking, so I decided to take a rest and listen. I was sitting on a bench quietly enjoying myself when (can you believe this?) a sprightly gentleman sat down beside me, put his arm around me, and whatever he whispered sounded like a proposition to me. It took me by surprise, but I didn't feel at all threatened. And, no, I didn't accept. We just started talking in our two languages and I gathered that he is a widower and very lonely. Ha Ha--just goes to show you that even we "old" ladies can find romance in Florence. Well, Giuseppe gave me his phone number and address in case I ever change my mind, and he asked me to write to him. And, that is the end of the story.
I stayed in the lovely Hotel C. also recommended by Paula. It is a period palazzo with a rooftop terrace with a view of the Duomo. I sat up there in the evenings and enjoyed a glass of wine before dinner. The hotel is near the historic center, but away from the bustle and noise. There is a park down the street where I happily watched artists sketching. The Italians certaily appreciate art. Even the hotel was filled with beautiful original paintings and the staff and service were just as good as Paula said they would be.
A great big thanks to Paula for helping me to make my trip even more special with all her excellent advice and travel tips. Trust me, she knows her stuff. Mille grazie, la mia amica/ Ciao bella! Judith
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Thank YOU, Judith, for sharing your experiences and for your kind words. I am so glad you had a great trip.
