Dicky and Ducky take well deserved ‘man time’ on a Golf Course while Fifi, Bella and Pixi take well deserved retail therapy in Florence. As our villa is in country Tuscany, we take a 50 minute train in then jump on the big red get on-off bus to absorb the soft atmospheric palette and gentle majesty of this beautiful city.
Home of Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Brunelleschi to name a few, the Statue of David, the Uffiziand the incredibly enormous, multi marble Duomo cathedral dominating the centre…and not to forget the famous Ponte Vecchio over the River Arno, home of little overpriced jewelry shops which of course we can’t resist trawling…followed by the leather markets.
A €7 cup of tea…tis a tourist trap after all…then on the train home to regroup, share room service and sigh… exhausted and satisfied with the day’s haul of little gifts, cheap handbags and Bella’s lovely piece of bling.
A big day tomorrow…navigating into the very busy Rome for our next adventure.
Ducky and Bella have a mini meltdown trying to negotiate the Garmen’s interpretation for it talks the local language. Dicky’s purchased his first dodgy watch, quite chuffed with his bartering, while the girls stare at endless bent statues.
Further direction confusion for the street on which our accommodation resides in Tuscany is not recognized by navigation equipment. A quick trip through someone’s back yard and there it is. Ducky & Bella find their way cross country and all in need of a stiff drink stat! A thorough exploration of the Villa and vista…and it is exactly as we imagined Tuscany to be. Beautiful! Sipping our calming G&T, all agree…we could quite happily live here.
Ducky deserves this treat for he’s just survived his initiation into driving on the wrong side of the road, dodging oncoming maniacs at the wheel of flaming red Ferraris and random suicidal cyclists on switchback bends and narrow alleyways. And what an adorable place to do so! Absolutely recommended!
Negotiate our way to CinqueTerra, check in and as we explore our rooms, find Pixi’s is equivalent to a monastery… expecting a holographic cross to hover above the bed, and still pondering how to access the loo which is kinda under the sink…and as for the prospect of bending down to pick up the soap in the shower? The doubles have rooms a tad larger and as I visit, find Dickie pouring G&Ts atop his bedside table, which is actually a small fridge. Roaring with laughter, we down said aperitifs and toast our new country. Italy.
