Thursday, 30 October 2014

Tuesday - a bit better

We have managed the strength to do some serious sightseeing.  On the agenda today is walking followed with some more walking.  We set out with a map in hand and saw the most amazing fountains and architecture.

The Spanish Steps

A Bernini fountain



Looking down from the Steps




The beautiful  Trivoli? fountain is under repairs.

Inside one of the many Basillicas in the area we walked.






These are models made from Da Vinci's drawings, all hands on.  He was a brilliant mind, many of these are used in todays machines.





Monday - Sick...

thats right, I am sick while visiting Sangita with Kristina in Italy.  But I am a teacher and I can work through anything.  So while Kristina slept (btw, she is sick too) I ventured out around the area where Sangita lives.  I went to a local market and walked about 30 minutes to see one of the most incredible churches. Then I walked back and that was about all I could muster.

This is Basillica de Maria Maggiorie








stairs designed by Bernini





These ruins are in a park on the way back, it seems to have become a cat sanctuary.




Monday, 27 October 2014

Under a Tuscan Sun

I've just spent the most amazing 2 days with Kristina and Sangita in Florance Italy.  This is the home to the Uffizi Gallery which was originally owned by the Medici Family.  On our agenda was: visit "David" at the Gallaria Dee Academia, sketching, photography and gelato.  I'm glad to say that we managed to get it all done. We explored the city backwards and forwards.  I think at some point I am going to take a holiday where I get to sit and relax, this walking is exhausting.

The street our B&B was on.




View from the Uffizi.

View from our window in the B&B


Selfie with a ceiling/fresco above.

This poor sole has been crucified...

but this is the face he is making.

Painting by Michaelangelo

This room had a half dozen or so sculptures of people pointing upwards….
they went this way….

no they went that way.



Gallery as the Medici's left it.

Gelatoooooooo




Night life





The Duomo at night.

Duomo


Basilica di Santa Croce.
.
Inside the dome at Duomo.  It is 40 metres off the ground


Tower at Duomo

Roof line at Duomo.


This is the faux David, the real one was in the Accademia but I passed on going in,  Kristina went and did some beautiful sketching.

This beautiful babe skims the water of a pond inside the the Petti Palace.






The most amazing street artists.  Unfortunately the street cleaners go through and erase all their hard work, only to start again.

A city with a sense of humour.