Florence and where-ever.

[Pushka]

I enjoyed Pisa. A couple we were with had pre ordered the tickets to climb the Tower and had no issues at all as they knew exactly what to do.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I enjoyed Pisa. A couple we were with had pre ordered the tickets to climb the Tower and had no issues at all as they knew exactly what to do.

Likewise..

We were catching the train from Roma to Moterosso (Cinque Terra), and so allowed enough time to stop, check bags n at the Train Station (is down the end) walk to and back from the tower, with a trip to the top. As we had pre-booked our time up it was all smooth.

But yes no need for a overnight stay, or a long stay...or a return visit.

But was enjoyable to do, and am glad we did it.

 

[JessicaTam]

I will get back to finishing off the Florence part of the trip, but first a slight intermission...

Ever have one of those days where you wish you could go back and have again?

We were walking down the street to the bus to head into Rome, and a car pulled up to ask directions. He was looking for the Vatican. Easy directions - 'just keep left'. We got to chatting with the usual 'where are you from'? He introduced himself and said that the petrol stations didn't take Amex, and he needed some cash for fuel. He had some hand-bags on the front seat (business samples) and he was willing to exchange one for some cash (he didn't say how much). We were a little bit suss, so declined.

After he drove off I checked Google/Wikipedia and found that he actually was* who he said he was: Sidney Toledano. Oh well.

*seemed to be

 

[TomVexille]

I will get back to finishing off the Florence part of the trip, but first a slight intermission...

Ever have one of those days where you wish you could go back and have again?

We were walking down the street to the bus to head into Rome, and a car pulled up to ask directions. He was looking for the Vatican. Easy directions - 'just keep left'. We got to chatting with the usual 'where are you from'? He introduced himself and said that the petrol stations didn't take Amex, and he needed some cash for fuel. He had some hand-bags on the front seat (business samples) and he was willing to exchange one for some cash (he didn't say how much). We were a little bit suss, so declined.

After he drove off I checked Google/Wikipedia and found that he actually was who he said he was: Sidney Toledano. Oh well.

Better safe than sorry?

 

[JessicaTam]

Better safe than sorry?

Indeed. Tempting though, as it was completely different from all the other scams around.

 

[KitKat]

What was he driving?

Sounded like a scam to me... but depending on what he was driving I may have been "fooled"
Ah, the joys of travel

 

[Pushka]

Maybe a really good look alike unless he was driving a Ferrari or similar ilk. I'd expect personalised plates too.

 

[JessicaTam]

He was in a newish compact car. Probably a rentel.

 

[Hvr]

I will get back to finishing off the Florence part of the trip, but first a slight intermission...

Ever have one of those days where you wish you could go back and have again?

We were walking down the street to the bus to head into Rome, and a car pulled up to ask directions. He was looking for the Vatican. Easy directions - 'just keep left'. We got to chatting with the usual 'where are you from'? He introduced himself and said that the petrol stations didn't take Amex, and he needed some cash for fuel. He had some hand-bags on the front seat (business samples) and he was willing to exchange one for some cash (he didn't say how much). We were a little bit suss, so declined.

After he drove off I checked Google/Wikipedia and found that he actually was who he said he was: Sidney Toledano. Oh well.

If this was him then que sera..

But since his salary is >million Euros it sounds very suss to me.

 

[Pushka]

But since his salary is >million Euros it sounds very suss to me.

A million just doesn't go as far as it used to.

He would also have known where the Vatican was.

 

[TheRealTMA]

And wouldn't he have a driver?

 

[amaroo]

Never say Never!

Banksy sells original paintings worth £20,000 for £38 each in New York stunt - Mirror Online

 

[Blinky]

I will get back to finishing off the Florence part of the trip, but first a slight intermission...

Ever have one of those days where you wish you could go back and have again?

We were walking down the street to the bus to head into Rome, and a car pulled up to ask directions. He was looking for the Vatican. Easy directions - 'just keep left'. We got to chatting with the usual 'where are you from'? He introduced himself and said that the petrol stations didn't take Amex, and he needed some cash for fuel. He had some hand-bags on the front seat (business samples) and he was willing to exchange one for some cash (he didn't say how much). We were a little bit suss, so declined.

After he drove off I checked Google/Wikipedia and found that he actually was who he said he was: Sidney Toledano. Oh well.

The same thing happened to us, with the difference that the guy actually gave us a sample.

Sorry, I'm very skeptical he's the person who he claimed to be. A few things which stood out to us:
- he asked directions to the Terminii. He's supposed to be a Roman. Everyone, including tourists knows where the main station is. Looking for the Vatican? Just look up, St Peter's there large as life
- he drove a very down-market Hyundai. A millionaire?
- He asked for 100 Euro to fill his car, saying the samples (new season!) more than covered the cost.

I gave him a few bits advice about precisely where he could shove his new season samples, and watched as he drove down the street, and stopped 100 meters away to try his spiel on someone else. At this stage of our trip, we had very finely tuned scam antennas.

So not different from other scams. A piece of scum is my strong tip.

 

[JessicaTam]

Hi did look a bit like the photo. But we only looked at that after the event.

A million just doesn't go as far as it used to.

He would also have known where the Vatican was.

And wouldn't he have a driver?

I agree. Something wasn't quite right - even if he did look like the photo. Also we saw that the local servo does intact take Amex.

I think we will call BS. But still a good story.

 

[JessicaTam]

Saturday

We bought some stamps in order to send some post cards - €2.50 each! I hope the recipients appreciate them.

Gallerie Accademie.

We headed off to the Gallerie dell’Accademie. This gallery houses the statue of David by Michelangelo. As one prominent artist said - once you have seen David, there is no point seeing any other statues. It is as impressive as its reputation.

I bristle when people tell me that I must do this or must go visit that when on holidays. They are my holidays - not theirs. For example it took me three visits to Paris before I went up the Eiffel Tower, despite people telling me how much I needed to do it.

And I am likewise reluctant to tell people what to do on their holidays. However, I would urge anyone visiting Florence to take the time to visit the Gallerie.


A replica statue of David in one of the plazas near the Uffizi. The real thing certainly had it over this one in spades.

The Gallerie was not very busy, so we had plenty of opportunity to visit everything without being crowded.


Bit of Aussie wattle anyone?

 

[JessicaTam]

Sunday

We got to the Uffizi after lunch and we had to wait about half an hour in the queue to get in. Once in, though, we took our time to view as much as we could. It was a bit like the Louvre in that repeat visits will be necessary to fully appreciate the collection.
Lots of different artists including paintings by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Unfortunately the map room was not open, so maybe next time.

Following that we did some leisurely window shopping before heading back to our apartment to cook up what food was left in the fridge.

I forgot to mention that one night we headed out to the opera. La Traviata was performed in an intimate setting in 'St John's English Church' by just four singers. It was delightful. They were a mix of professional and amateur performers. We were in the third row, of only about 100 seats.


The stage for La Traviata






Some gratuitous food shots.

 

[JessicaTam]

Monday

Florence to Rome

We walked from the apartment to the main train station stopping on the way to have a coffee and an eclair. The train trip was uneventful and we arrived on time in Rome. We then navigated the Metro ticket system - with many offers of assistance by people lurking around the ticket machines. We caught our train as close as we could to our accommodation and the got a cab from there.

We checked in to a lovely one bedroom apartment with separate lounge (and day bed). The apartment was convenient to a number of bus lines, restaurants and shops.

Tuesday


Rome day 2


We caught the bus to the other side of Rome, where we intended to visit the church of St Clementi. The bus went past the Colloseum, and there was quite the crowd. Not only tourists but hawkers selling their wares, and beggars looking for small change.


From the bus we wandered into a church we were passing - just because. Whilst there we learned that St Clementi would not be open until 3pm. So we had lunch at a convenient sidewalk restaurant and headed to the church at about 2.45. Once inside we headed down underneath the church to view the foundations and an older church that this one had been built upon. This was discovered by an Irish priest, Father Mulooly in the late 1800s and is now one of the best examples of layering of the ages of Rome.


Wednesday


I had pre booked a tour of the Vatican Museum. This coincided with the weekly mass held in St Peter's square, so the hawkers were out in force offering just about everything papal you could imagine. As we had tickets we skipped the exceedingly long queue and headed to the tour group ticket window. The tour was about 2 hours long, and covered much of the museum. You would certainly need to go back and take some more time to fully appreciate the works properly, although owe had a good overview. The tour guide was very knowledgable and injected a little bit of humour from time to time. At the conclusion of the tour we headed into the Cistine Chapel to be blown away by the artistry.

The chapel is not as big as I expected, but still very, very impressive.

From the Chapel we visited St Peter's Cathedral. An amazing structure. One of the largest freestanding domes in the world. Near one of the pillars there was a narrow staircase which we followed. It led into the crypt with the remains of many of the popes (and possibly St Peter himself) and the foundations of the earlier iteration of the church. It is a bit out of the way, so it was not very busy but well worth the detour.


Rome day 4


Today we chose to visit the Pantheon. A very impressive structure. A sign inside giving details of the building stated that modern builders would be hard pressed to replicate it even with today’s material and building techniques. The pantheon and the Florence Cathedral were both inspiration for St Peter's, so I guess that means I have done the trifecta.



Just off the plaza was a small unassuming coffee shop “Tassa d’Oro” which is reputed to have the finest coffee in Rome. A claim worth investigating. I have to admit that I am not a coffee aficionado, however this was simply the best coffee I have ever tasted. Period.



Suitably caffeinated, we set off to walk to the Trevi fountain. It was well signposted and was a pretty direct route from the Pantheon. As it turns out, this has been a set path for centuries, so no wonder it was direct. We sat for a while and people-watched and just admired the fountain itself.


How many times can I use the word ‘impressive’ in the one trip report?

 

[JessicaTam]

On Friday we caught the train to Naples. It reached 300 kph, so definitely no slouch. We arrived and soon found our hotel. It was in the plaza outside the station, so was never going to be hard to find. The 'Hotel Ideal' was €29 for the night and included breakfast. The plumbing in the next room was quite noisy so it was a good thing that I had earplugs.

We were catching the ferry on Saturday night so had the day to explore Naples and the surrounds. It was an easy matter for us to catch the train to Pompeii. The weather was against us so we didn't go in through the gates. It was possible, however, to have a look around the outside to get an idea. Lunch was around the corner and was quite expensive for a relatively simple meal. Bit of a tourist trap that Pompeii. It was a good thing that the train there and back was less than €5.





We whiled away some time in Naples before heading to the ferry for Catania at about 6 for a 7pm boarding and 9pm departure.

 

[AusTraveller]

Monday


Just off the plaza was a small unassuming coffee shop “Tassa d’Oro” which is reputed to have the finest coffee in Rome. A claim worth investigating. I have to admit that I am not a coffee aficionado, however this was simply the best coffee I have ever tasted. Period.

Great TR!! Loving the information and "pointers" along the way. Will have to check this out myself in August.... I can't live without my coffee

 

[blackcat20]

Sunday

We got to the Uffizi after lunch and we had to wait about half an hour in the queue to get in. Once in, though, we took our time to view as much as we could. It was a bit like the Louvre in that repeat visits will be necessary to fully appreciate the collection.
Lots of different artists including paintings by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Unfortunately the map room was not open, so maybe next time.

Following that we did some leisurely window shopping before heading back to our apartment to cook up what food was left in the fridge.

I forgot to mention that one night we headed out to the opera. La Traviata was performed in an intimate setting in 'St John's English Church' by just four singers. It was delightful. They were a mix of professional and amateur performers. We were in the third row, of only about 100 seats.

View attachment 25530
The stage for La Traviata

View attachment 25527

View attachment 25528

View attachment 25529
Some gratuitous food shots.

Yum! Should have pointed you to a nice restaurant in Rome, the owner loved me when I took in a few groups of people