"Van Gogh Alive"....Beautiful Light Exhibit on His Life and Art
In the beautiful deconsacrated church of Santo Stefano al Ponte located in the heart of Florence near Ponte Vecchio, where outstanding cultural and musical events take place.
The time is going by so quickly. There is so much to see and do here in Firenze. The beautiful towns and hamlets around also add to the tons of interesting places to visit.
We decide to visit a hilltop village called Fiesole.
A day trip from Florence to Fiesole is a must for any visitor to this part of Tuscany. Aside from the sights of interest within and near Fiesole itself, on a sunny day the view from the Fiesolean hills looking out over Florence is spectacularly beautiful. Fiesole can be reached by car or bus, and also (for the fit only) on foot along narrow walled roads past numerous fine villas, including the Villa Medici at Fiesole.
Well we did a combination of bus and foot. Steve walked from our apartment and I walked into town to catch the bus. On my way to the bus I stopped on the square to listen to a group of Italian young men in concert playing violin....they were awesome!
I got to Fiesole about half an hour or so before Steve got there on foot. Which was pretty remarkable since it was straight up the hill and a hard walk.
Fiesole is of Etruscan origin, as may be seen from the remains of its ancient walls, and was probably founded in the 9 C BC. One possible reason for the prosperity of Etruscan and Roman Fiesole could be its location near a ford over the Arno close to where Roman Florence (Florentia) would rise. Fiesole's location also made it strategic for travellers on all the main roads between southern and central Etruria to the south of Italy (covering large parts of present day Tuscany, Umbria and Latium) and the Etruscans in the area around the Po valley to the north of Italy.
Great music on the Square
The Square at Fiesole
Steve hanging out in Fiesole after his hike up the hill
Art ..Fiesole
Sunset ...Fiesole
Sunset ...Fiesole
Steve left for Canada the beginning of March and I was now on my own. It was hard losing my companion but I kept the faith knowing that I had made some friends and had people I could call on for help if needed. I also reminded myself that I had originally planned to take this trip solo....so I reverted back to that frame of mind and continued to enjoy my time in Florence.
I used my time alone to visit all the major museums in Firenze. I purchase the yearly pass for most of the museums in Firenze on the recommendation of our new friend Matt from Chicago. Buying the pass was worth it. You don't have to stand in the long lines and it makes visiting each museum easy and carefree. The cost was 60 Euros.
Museum Pass for Florence
My next stop was Milan! The high speed train was less than 2 hours. A beautiful ride along the countryside.
Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/milan#ixzz3dO9CrhMV
Although it was pouring rain all day I had the best time in Milan. Far cry from my feelings heading out in the the rain that morning.
The culture, the people, atmosphere was just awesome! I hate to use this word but the "energy" was just intoxicating. I had an awesome lunch at a great roof top restaurant with an enclosed terrace overlooking the Gothic Cathedral. I was alone but didn't feel alone for one second. Truth be told I had to make a mad rush back to the train station and got on the train with only minutes to spare.
The Cathedral of Milan
Lighted candles for the babies (Alexandria and Meredith) at Cathedral of Milan
Milan (back of Cathedral of Milan in rear)
Live Music on the Plaza in Milan
...Milan
It's time....to head back home to North America but first I flew from Florence back to Rome for a few days. It was ending too soon...
My first stop in Roma was the Spanish Step or Piazza Di Spagna. At the end of the seventeenth century, it was called Trinità dei Monti, after the church that dominates the square from above, but it was later given the name we know today after the Spanish Ambassador who lived there.
I decided to accept the recommendation of my landlady in Florence to purchase a day pass for the on/off tourist bus the next day. I purchased it at the hotel for 20 Euros.
After stopping at various sites I headed to Vatican City. I had lunch at a great restaurant near the Vatican then took in the sites.
Rome...on the way to the Spanish Steps
Spanish Steps...Rome
Palazzo Barberine
My door key served as my on/off switch for electricity
Ruins in Rome
Dinner in Rome
The next morning I was on my way to the airport, heading to Canada.
After a few weeks in Canada I headed back to Maryland.
I am super happy I went on this adventure and I highly recommend it.
After all the sickness, sadness for the past several years I finally stated to gain back some of the confidence I had lost. Everyone says I understand or they think they see all but there are some things that I cannot begin to explained to anyone. I just have to solve it myself and that means either "sinking" or "swimming".
I choose to swim! I am the happiest I have been in many years...it dawned on me that things or people are not the reason for inner happiness ... I have to get up each day and make that choice for myself and everything and everyone else will be just the icing on top.
Where will the next adventure take me?? Stay tuned...
Arrivederci!
Giardino Boboli (Boboli Gardens)
Van Gogh Alive Exhibit
Van Gogh’s art (one of my all time favorite Artist) comes to life in a vibrant symphony of light, color and sound. The innovative Sensory 4 system projects over 3,000 high-definition images to create an extraordinary exhibition and offers a journey into the creative and visionary world of the artist: immersing you entirely in his art and tumultuous existence.
Man poses as Leonardo da Vinci Outside the Galleria deli Uffizi
The garden at Palazzo Strozzi
A sampling of Museums and Sites toured
Wedding pictures on the Ponte Vecchio
Flowers in my Apartment
Sign of spring on the Ponte Vecchio the day before my departure
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