Italy videos

Here are the videos from our recent trip to Italy. The first is of Florence and the second is of San Gimignano. Hope you enjoy them.

Florence - Day 4

Friday morning we headed straight for the Duomo. After a short queue (you have to expect it!) we stepped into the hushed interior. More money was spent on candles and wishes and we were startled but thrilled when the organ rang out and enveloped us in deafening cacophony. It was terrific! We were all keen to climb the dome so James led the way. His little legs powered up the 463 steps - not a grizzle or a rest at all. Although he did like to stop and look out of the windows of the stone spiral staircase! He had his own toy telescope which he insisted you could only use to look at things far away. Looking at Dad or pigeons was not acceptable! I had jelly knees going back down all those steps but it was fantastic and I will do it all again when my shins stop hurting.

Back down on the ground we went through the adjacent Baptistery. James counted all the "Little Baby Jesuses" and angels. There are always things to find and hold his interest!

After a rest we crossed the Arno at the Ponte della Grazie and walked up the steep hills, past Galileo's home and around the Fort Belvedere. It was here that Martin and I had picked an olive from the monastery wall 9 years ago and reeled in it's bitterness. James thought that was funny but was willing to try one himself if he could find one! It was not to be! We walked down the valley and up the other side to the Piazzale Michelangelo. It's a bit touristy up here but if you turn your back on the crowds and sit on the steps overlooking the city of Florence you could be the only ones there. We were waiting for the sunset and spent about an hour, just sitting on the wide steps eating salami, peccorino cheese, panforte and chocolate.

Friday night we had dinner at a trattoria that I don't know the Italian name of, but the English translation is 'Discourteous'. Hmmm... It was a real find and because there was such a crowd of hungry people in such a tiny place we shared our table with an American meteorologist. The food was as simple as you can get, the Chianti great and the coffee a perfect end. We loved the good-natured banter between the waiters and the fact that we sat next to the open kitchen as they boiled my pasta and hacked off a slab of Florentine steak for Martin! Just bliss!

Overall gelati consumption: James - lemon, strawberry, berry, pineapple and cream. Espressi consumed: too many to count. Bottles of wine: ditto

Photos are here.

Florence - Day 2

The next morning saw us rested and breakfasted and out the door! Santa Croce was the nearest church and we came to the entrance of the Leather School before we even saw the church! I tried on and bought a gorgeous suede jacket which is a new style and only just released. I feel a million dollars wearing it! We watched the craftsmen at work and James was intrigued by the promise of two cats that live at the school. He stood at the door calling "gatto! gatto!" but we think they must have been sleeping in the sun after a big breakfast! Basilica Santa Croce houses the tombs of Dante, Machiavelli and Galileo, and whilst Martin and I admired the majesty of it all James was quick to ask for money to light candles and make wishes!

After this it was another stop to buy a handbag (enough, already!) and James was treated to a ride on a carousel in the Piazza della Republica. You can see his delighted face in the photo! The beauty of travelling with James is that rest periods are a must so we spent some time back at the hotel playing games and colouring before changing into 'nice' clothes and re-visiting our most favourite trattoria, 'da Penello', just near Dante's house. Martin and I had eaten here 9 years ago on the recommendation of friends (thanks Susie & Fab!) and we were so happy to be back. The food was once again amazing and even more wine was consumed! James had tiramisu which saw him spiral into a fit of craziness but by then I was too tipsy to mind much!

Photos are here.

Florence - Day 1

After a delayed start to our trip we were very happy to be back in Florence again. This was Martin's third and my second time to Florence, and James' third time to Italy! Due to storms in England our Monday flight was cancelled and we flew out the following day. Arriving in Florence via Paris mid-afternoon we had only been at our hotel, the beautiful Plaza Lucchesi a short while before a thunderstorm descended upon the city. The view from our window was dramatic, big dark clouds rising up behind the Duomo. As you can see in the photos, the storm raged then passed leaving a beautiful sunset and clean crispness to the streets. We strolled around in the evening light enjoying seeing the Duomo, Santa Croce, Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio again. James had his toy camera around his neck and took hundreds of shots. Like father, like son!

Photos are here.