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Perugino's Crucifixion, Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi
Blog: Florence Journal - 26 October 2009
File this one under hidden Florence (and there really are so few things in this category - everything to discover in this town has been). On Borgo Pinti you'll find the church of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi - home...
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The singer out of Skipknot went to Rome to see The Pope
Blog: Send The Bugger Back - 25 October 2009
I’m just on the way to the Stadio Olimpic to try and get this ticket, it doesn’t sound overly promising though from what people have been saying. Also, as I don’t have a passport even if they are selling them to foreigners they might not let me get one without it, hopefully my driving license [...]
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What a numpty!
Blog: Send The Bugger Back - 24 October 2009
On the way to the station today I saw those savoury delights that I had 2 of yesterday for tea. I can confirm that they are called a Panini Napoletani (or Naples butty to you and me, though my predictive text just tried to change it to Naples bitty which is something very different indeed). [...]
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Ticket Conductors Return?
Blog: Ron in Rome - 24 October 2009
For years the bus system in Rome has relied on the “honor” system. It was expected you would purchase a ticket and then board and validate your ticket. Now, Rome is thinking of bringing back “conductors,” missing since the 1960’s. In a recent article published in Il Messaggero, Alessandro Vannini, chairman of the Capitoline tourism, verified [...]
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NEW – FCO SITBus Shuttle
Blog: Ron in Rome - 23 October 2009
Starting in October 2009, SITBus Shuttle began daily runs from Leonardo Da Vinci Airport (FCO) to two locations in Rome, the Termini Train Station and also Piazza Cavour. SITBus Shuttle has long been a fixture at Aeroporto Ciampino but now they’ve brought a low-price option to FCO! The buses begin their routes at 5 AM – [...]
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Breathtaking Positano
Blog: velvet escape's blog - 23 October 2009
Positano is a small town on Italy’s stunning Amalfi coast, just south of Naples. The town is truly an engineering marvel as it clings precariously onto the almost vertical slopes of the massive mountains that seemingly plunge dramatically into the sea. The colourful pastel houses are stacked atop each other and the views of the [...]
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Trouble magnet
Blog: Send The Bugger Back - 23 October 2009
There was a right storm last night. I went to sleep at 1 in the morning and there was thunder and lightning and then when I woke up at 5 it was still going. I checked in to my new hostel this morning without any trouble. It seems not bad as well, very similar in setup [...]
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Piazza Duomo goes pedestrian only Sunday
Blog: Florence Journal - 22 October 2009
I am a little fuzzy on the details - like the mention of no bikes! But this Sunday Piazza Duomo goes pedestrian only. It seems to be quite a big deal - but I wonder what everyone is going to...
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Tuscany Rent Direct
Blog: Florence Journal - 22 October 2009
We just found a new website that is offering villa rentals in Tuscany without any commissions or fees - Tuscany Rent Direct. It is pretty useful for finding properties and has some nice built in tools, including locations on Google...
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Going to the mattresses
Blog: Send The Bugger Back - 22 October 2009
No sooner have I come up with a new travel itinerary than I’ve changed it again, don’t worry I’m not going to post it once more though and the modifications are only subtle. After advice from 2 mates and a sibling, I’ve knocked a night off Venice and am just doing 2 there now and [...]
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Va’ fa Napoli!
Blog: Send The Bugger Back - 21 October 2009
I slept not too badly last night considering. I tried spreading myself out along 3 or 4 seats but that wasn’t working out very swell, too lumpy and narrow (that’s the seats, not me). So I shifted my blow-up pillow and sleeping bag to behind the back row of the seats and slept on the [...]
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The Trulli Houses of Alberobello
Blog: Brilliant Tips Travel Blog - 21 October 2009
A small town in the Italian region of Puglia, Alberobello is famous for its unique and fairytale-like trulli houses. The trulli are very unusual houses and an example of a building technique that has survived from prehistoric times. Built by simply laying the stones on top of each other, without using mortar, they are characterized by their cylindrical roofs many of which are adorned with curious hex signs adding mystery to the already bewitching setting. The houses themselves all look quite similar with a few exceptions such as the two-story ...
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Rome’s Villa Borghese Gardens
Blog: Brilliant Tips Travel Blog - 20 October 2009
Comprised of the grounds of a seventeenth century pleasure palace, the Villa Borghese Gardens is a large park in Rome with a widespread area that includes a lake, lots of manicured green grass and a number of museums and attractions. The second largest public park in Rome after Villa Doria Pamphili, the Borghese Gardens is the perfect spot to find peace and quiet in the middle of the busy city. The main entrance, off Piazzale Flaminio, is flanked by colossal roman columns. The road at this entrance stretches the entire ...
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Visiting the Vasari Corridor
Blog: Florence Journal - 20 October 2009
Excellent new tip just posted on Florence-On-Line on how to get reservations for the Vasari Corridor - until December 18th.
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A glorious day at Da Adolfo
Blog: velvet escape's blog - 15 October 2009
“Da Adolfo? Ahhh… bellissimo. Good food!”, the hotel receptionist said with a broad smile as I mentioned that my friend and I were heading there. Da Adolfo is a little beachside restaurant, a short boat ride away from Positano, on the Amalfi Coast. We headed down to the Positano jetty and asked around which boat [...]
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Duomo hours, news
Blog: Florence Journal - 14 October 2009
This past weekend the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) had shorter than usual visiting hours - 1:30 to 3:30 PM. I was hoping to go in to see the Ucello painting of Sir John Hawkwood after reading about him in...
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Praia a Mare – An Undiscovered Gem in Italy
Blog: Brilliant Tips Travel Blog - 14 October 2009
A region of southern Italy, Calabria is considered by some to be the Caribbean of Europe with its unadulterated beaches, brilliant landscape, and homespun charm. Historically one of the poorest regions in Italy, Calabria is quite undeveloped and not well-known by tourists. With the hidden treasures of Praia a Mare and Dino Island along with hillside towns and ancient Greek temples dotting the countryside, Calabria just may be Italy’s best kept secret. Praia a Mare is an undiscovered gem and the perfect place for travelers looking to get off the beaten ...
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Betty Woodman at the Porcelain Museum
Blog: Florence Journal - 12 October 2009
The following is part of the press release from the exhibition: The refined and imaginative creations of Betty Woodman find an appropriate setting among the prestigious porcelain conserved in the Palazzina del Cavaliere, in showcases that have been specially designed...
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The Blue Grotto, Capri
Blog: velvet escape's blog - 12 October 2009
The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) is a well-known sea-cave on the island of Capri, Italy. It’s a bit of a squeeze getting into the cave as the entrance from the sea is narrow and low. Visitors have to lie flat in the boat as the boatman pulls the boat through the small channel. The cave [...]
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Hotels in Florence for Under $150
Blog: Florence Journal - 10 October 2009
The NY Times just published a great list of bargain hotels for many cities - including Florence. Some of them have shared baths. Among the suggestions: Hotel Colomba 80 euros Residenza Proconsolo 85 euros Hotel Cestelli 80 euros Hotel Globus...
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Brunch at the Grand Hotel
Blog: Florence Journal - 9 October 2009
The Grand Hotel is in Piazza Ognissanti, across from the Westin. They just started their fall Sunday brunch again, the first one is this weekend:
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Italy (Day 5) – Vatican City
Blog: Andy's Rotten Ideas - 8 October 2009
After having our breakfast at the hotel, my wife and I got into the bus to Vatican City. A territory enclosed by stone walled or buildings within the city of Rome. It’s the smallest country and population in the world. How ironical. At least, something to put into my travel profile. The city is ruled by the bishop of Rome; guess who…it’s the Pope who is the head of state and head of government of this city. On our way to Saint Peter’s Square, I saw this impressive round structure was once a castle called Castle San Angelo. Today, it's a museum and a place to explore.
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A High-Tech Hunt for Lost Art
Blog: Florence Journal - 6 October 2009
Maurizio Seracini has been looking for "The Battle of Anghiari" for over 30 years. I really think something has to be behind the wall in the Palazzo Vecchio - Vasari doesn't seem like the kind of guy to destroy a...
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Italy (Day 4) – Florence & Pisa
Blog: Andy's Rotten Ideas - 3 October 2009
Our journey to Florence begins right after breakfast at Prato. It’s just another day to visit the churches, squares and some other attractions. On reaching Florence and the bus parked at the parking lot, my wife and I took a short walk to Basilica of Santa Croce. What so interesting in Basilica of Santa Croce? According to the tour guide, it’s the burial place of Michelangelo and Galileo; and also the largest Franciscan church in the world.
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This weekend in Florence
Blog: Florence Journal - 3 October 2009
Sorry for posting these a little late! This weekend in Florence there is a fair in Piazza Santa Croce with mostly crafts and food, etc. from Germany and Austria. Good for a stroll and maybe some early Christmas shopping and...
