Scene down a side street this afternoon - a group of men having lunch in a courtyard.
In the last 24 hours we've landed, checked into two hotels, eaten three meals (one, amazing), and walked around the heart of the city. We have not yet gotten too adventurous. We just wanted to get oriented and recover from the jet lag. The weather is stunningly beautiful and the old buildings of the city are what I have noticed most. There are centuries of innovation and craftsmanship on the outside of every one and I've taken pics of details, colors and surfaces that have inspired. Here's my first batch. Enjoy!
Just a few hours ago! The weather here is so good, everyone's talking about it...
Wonderful patterns in the Italian train seat and the laminate behind (Sara yesterday morning on the train to Florence right off the plane - just a bit tired).
The streets are NARROW, stone and they curve. It makes you think that the grid system really was our undoing...
I found this marble carving studio by the Duomo and took a pic through the window. No one was there.
The front of Il Duomo - The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. This is tourist central, but the patterning in the face of it is remarkable.
The river Arno is busy with boats.
This is the entrance to our Hotel, JK Place, where we stayed last night. Really nice with great design elements.
Here's the dining room where we all had breakfast this morning. I'm going to do a tour of this hotel for tomorrow.
please, please tell me what kind of camera you have. Thanks!
view hainie's profile
color me super jealous.
view pseudodesigns's profile
I love all the peeks of greenery in the first photo. Looking forward to the hotel tour.
view susang's profile
Beautiful! There is nothing like the Duomo in person! The Patterns,colors ...ahhhh your super lucky ! Enjoy!
view lilipixi's profile
These pictures are so beautiful it make my heart hurt.
Have a wonderful time!
view emmabemma's profile
Thanks for sharing your trip, Maxwell! I'm envious and looking forward to seeing more!
view darcidoodle's profile
ahh-now I REALLY miss Firenze
view montreal modern's profile
I miss italy too... lucky you!
view Daniel Poitiers's profile
I remember walking past that hotel while we were there...
You are right next to the Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella, which is really worth a check-see!
http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farmacia_di_Santa_Maria_Novella
Although you can buy the stuff in New York (and it is easier to smell in New York too), it is well worth checking out! And don't forget the gardens...
And don't forget Grom -- I know it is from Torino, and not Florentine, I know there is one in New York, but it is amazing gelato. And next to the Campanile.
I miss Italy too... and we were just there!
(is everyone still wearing purple? is purple still the colour in all the shop windows? That is what amazed me -- how it was *the* hot colour of the season!)
view mschatelaine's profile
It's amazing that you liked and photographed a train... the trains here are old as the hills, dirty and stinky. :-P
view LilyB's profile