Photo by Sacha
Florence isn't big, but there is more to see in an inch then there is to see in most larger cities. Modern to medieval within a heartbeat. No matter where you look there is something to see, experience, feel and taste.
Sacha was the named photographer in our group, the few times I took the camera I knew I had to surrender it, otherwise it would have been glued to my face and I would have missed experiencing Florence with my family.
Small family style restaurants not to miss:
The legendary Trattoria da Mario, a lively family-run place that serves good, well-priced Tuscan food for sixty years. Only open at lunch, drawing a crowd as they don't take reservations. Chelsea's boss told her about the place. 2 via Rosina,
A place that we missed that I regret is Teatro del Sale... I guess that means we have to go back. I read about it in the Guardian:
"This has to be both the best deal and most original place to eat in Florence. It was created by flamboyant chef Fabio Picchi and his actress wife, Maria Cassi, and you pay €5 to join this artistic club, open from Tuesday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a live show at night. A tempting buffet is laid out, then the chef shouts out dishes from the window of his open kitchen and guests line up to be served wonderful creations like pasta with artichokes and red mullet, oven-roasted with herbs and olive oil. The meal spreads over 10 dishes, with wine and coffee included in the price. Dinner costs €10 extra, as the live entertainment is included in the price."
• 18 via de'Macci, +39 55 200 1492, edizioniteatrodelsalecibreofirenze.it.
The view from the Jardin de Boboli.
A painting indeed even in December...
Photo by our friend Christina overlooking Florence.
A rare treat to have us all in one photo without any of us making a face.
Photo by Sacha
Center of Florence.
We visited the Palazzo Davanzati (I have a small video on my Facebook account as well as on Instagram.) which is a medieval home. The Palazzo Davanzati's kitchen was on the top floor... the poor cook. Chelsea saw a copy of an old cookbook and there was a recipe for stuffed figs. We are going to try it next summer.
Photo by Sacha.
As it has been said, Florence, is literally an outdoor museum. The streets seem to have as many sculptures as there are people. The finest of grouping is found outside the Palazzo Vecchio in the Loggia dei Lanzi, built in the late 14th century. I couldn't get over how these incredible pieces were standing there in all their glory as if they had been protected. The mastery of history, stone and chisel, canvas and brush, concentration on art as an arrow to the heart.
Photo by Sacha
Photo by Sacha
Photo by Sacha and a crystal ball that I found at the brocante...
Photo by Sacha
One of the pleasure of walking around Florence was a sneak peek to something ahead, or a glimpse of a tower, facade, alcove shrine... It would take a month of Sundays just to see one street in depth, and that is not counting the antique shops, nor the places to eat. Sigh.
The color was inviting.
Photo by Sacha catching me drooling.
Tuscany dreams unveiled before us.
Photo by Sacha
Photo by Sacha
Photo by Sacha Modern Mona Lisa.
Photo by Sacha looking through the window of the museum.
Photo by Sacha, up close of the bridge.
Photo by Sacha
Photo by Sacha
Nice photos by you both. You are making me want to return to Florence.
Posted by: Marilyn | 29 December 2015 at 02:11 AM
Lovely scenery! Now tell us about the food :-)
Posted by: Kathie | 29 December 2015 at 02:30 AM
Sasha has a really good eye for composition. The pictures are beautiful. I was there about 15 years ago. The art is magnificent.
Posted by: Vicki | 29 December 2015 at 03:36 AM
Well done Sacha!
Posted by: Jacklynn Lantry | 29 December 2015 at 04:46 AM
Wonderrful pictures. The image through the crystal ball is captivating.
I'm guessing Teatro del Sale means Theater of Salt?
I found a little video review of it - it looks fantastic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jizRBeFN4q4
Posted by: Diogenes | 29 December 2015 at 04:55 AM
Thanks so much Corey for transporting me back to Florence...3 days wasn't enough for me to see all she had on offer! Beautiful photos of which some I found really affected me...the sign of a talented photographer. X.
Posted by: Leigh NZ | 29 December 2015 at 09:38 AM
Oh I love Florence! Sadly, both times we have been there we were with friends with mobility issues, so we did not see half of what we wanted to! Looking forward to returning so we can see EVERYTHING!
Posted by: RebeccaNYC | 29 December 2015 at 03:09 PM
What is better than sharing a trip to a beautiful place with people you love?! I was there with my mom and then again with my husband. Both now gone but so grateful we did it!!
Posted by: Marilyn Marcus | 29 December 2015 at 03:51 PM
I have eaten at TEATRO Del SALE and it's NOT the performance you would think.I think in the DAY it was something..........so NOT TO WORRY YOU MISSED IT!Much better you got into the FAMILY SPOTS.
DID you go into SAN MINIATO AL MONTE........up on top above PIAZZA A MICHANGELO?I was married there.........UPSTAIRS were the MONKS WOULD SING!!!
Posted by: La Contessa | 29 December 2015 at 04:00 PM
I think Sacha inherited your photography talent! I was in Florence about four years ago and after seeing your photos I went straight to Expedia and started plugging in "departure" "Destination" and then scrolled down the list of hotels in Florence. I want to go again.
Posted by: Kim | 29 December 2015 at 07:07 PM
Corey - you must know by now that the traveler inside me is fed by your journeys. Thank god for you or I would be one unhappy woman! Since my husband is doing so much better health wise, he has been asking me where I want to go or what I want to do for our 25th - of course, I say France . . . but, now, Florence is a close second! Thank you again my friend!
Posted by: Debra | 31 December 2015 at 04:31 AM
Thank you to Sacha for the beautiful photos of Florence and of his beautiful mother! My husband and I spent a very brief 24 hours in Florence two years ago and so regret not having more time there. We promised ourselves a return trip someday.
Many blessing to you and yours in this New Year!
Posted by: Jan | 01 January 2016 at 03:16 PM
Well that was a fun tour. I was last there on my honeymoon about a thousand years ago. Wonderful soft and rich colors. I'm too sleepy to count down and tell you my favorites but I quite enjoyed these. Thx
Posted by: Rebecca from the pacific northwest | 01 January 2016 at 11:53 PM