David at the San Francisco Airport awaiting flight to Italy.
Airbnb apartment on Calle della Pergola, Florence
Special goodies on the bed, but no folded towels
My host, Gianni who was very helpful to finalize my hospital treatment schedule.
Sunday morning David starts his first tour of Florence on a Segway.
2. Monday morning museum tour
On Shantanu’s recommendation, my first tour is of this private villa.
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I was struck by how large the palace was, the top floors had very high ceilings. The painting shown above depicts how stratified Renaissance Florentine society was as the painter scales down the unimportant people.
3. Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore
I TOOK THIS HORSE POWERED TAXI TO THE CATHEDRAL SINCE MY FEET WERE HURTING.
THE DUOMO, A CATHEDRAL, HAS A DOME CREATED WITH A WOODEN INNER SHELL THAT SERVED AS A SCAFFOLD UPON WHICH THE BRICK OUTER LAYER WAS ADDED. FLORENCE IS NAMED FOR THE FLOWERS OF SANTA MARIA ALSO KNOWN AS SAINT FLORENTIA, 4TH CENTURY MARTYR.
4. Segue to Segway
On route to see Florence on wheels. The Loggia near Museo Uffizi.
Maia, tour guide, notice she is helping me by carrying my cane. Above views of the famous Piazza della Signoria where copy of Leonardo’s David stands.
A couple from England with Segway tour by the old market.
5. Tuesday - Bargetto Museo
The little David of Donatello compared to Leonardo’s suggests a very delicate youth.
6. Wednesday Museo San Marco Florence
EACH MONASTIC CELL HAD A FRA ANGELICO FRESCO PAINTED ON THE WALLS. IMAGINE WALKING UP TO SEE THE BLOOD OF THE CROSS DRIPPING DOWN .
CHRIST IS BEING MOCKED BY ROMAN, SEE HIS FLOATING HEAD.
The museum has a whole room of illustrated large books , some of music.
DETAIL OF LAST SUPPER FRESCO (IN THE GIFT SHOPPE) FRA ANGELICO.
7. A Day in Assisi with no sissies
This dear man, Ceyril Francis, was kind to help we walk and stay connected during this tour. From India originally, he now lives with his wife in London.
An 11 hour bus trip to the Umbrian town of Assisi, the shrine of San Francisco. The walking and stairs were not for the faint hearted or crippled. I had help.
The Loggia outside of the Basilica of Saint Francis. Two churches built on top of each other as later popes’ exploit his popularity with opulent churches in honor of this simple friar of poverty and humility.
8. Food in Florence
Had dinner twice at the Cantina Barbagianni, near my Florence apartment. The most delectable dish I had in Italy was this zucchini flan in pecorino cheese sauce. Other highlights include lunches with a very warming Minestrone Zuppa for the rainy Wednesday and a jummy risotto with clams.
9. Verona for a day
Taking train from Florence north to Verona.
Room with a view, Hotel Aurora.Pasta with ragu.Veal with roasted potatoes.Verona makes silly tourism with Juliette’s balacony. My dinner at the Shakespeare couples namesake.
10. Saturday train to Verona and Lac Guarda
MY VERONA “ROOM WITH A VIEW”
My apartment terrace views of Lac Guarda
Sunset, sunrise over the Lac
FAST TRAIN RIDE AT A SMALL PRICE.
11. Plazza San Marco, Monday morning
The astrological clock, with hourly bellsview Basilica San Marco. Will go inside at end of trip
12. Airbnb in Venice
So glad to have good kitchen so I made a number of dinners at home.
This 4 room apartment was in great location and only €100 a nightThe canal below my apartment. Every evening gondolas go by and I hear their serenades.
13. Venetian Views from Campinale tower
One of the many smaller islands in Venice.View of Doge Palace and looking north.
14. Day trip to Padova
Art shoppe near Padua University, got fine brushes.On a rainy day I met my new friend and we had coffee in this historic Caffe Pedrocchi.I met Gieussepi on the train. We really engaged in discussion of religion, politics, and history of Padova.Back by train after viewing the Giotto frescos at Chapel.Scrovegni Chapel, Giotto paints the last supper with unusual Composition with those seated realistically with backs to viewer. Dilemma, how to paint halos that won’t hide the face.Unusually tender mother and child image, Giotto anticipates the greater emotions seen in Renaissance art.
15. Rainy Wednesday
Had lunch under umbrellas and out of the rain. The basilica San Giovanni e Paolo, near the ospedale where I will get dialysis.
Vaporetti ride past San Marco to the Ospedale.Home cooking, a panna cotta made with marscapone cheese.
16. Weavers Factory tour
Silk treads used in the velvet brocades on only remaining hand looms in Venice.My guide, Melania.
17. Guggenheim Museo, Friday
Garden entrance to Peggy Guggenheim collection.PicassoWood sprites by artist forgotten.
Terrace view of Grand Canal from museum.Mondrian?
Severini paints in the pointillist style like post impressionist George Seirot.
18. Food in Venice
Fish soup, Zuppa de Mare, with local fish, mini lobster, scrimp, and calamari.Manicotti at outdoor cafe in Plazza San Barthlomew.Venetian primo plate, a white fish in polenta. Very bland.Luncheon on the Lac Guarda, a foie gra Pate.
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