We docked today in a port called Livorno, Italy. Livorno was not what we came to see but had to travel inland. It’s the coast of Tuscany but to get there you have to go inland. We met our driver and guide around 8 am, got in the van and headed to Florence. It was a beautiful drive through the fog covered hills towards Florence, covered in wine groves, olive trees, and quaint villages and towns of the region. Our first stop was a hill overlooking the historic city of Florence. Florence is said to be the birthplace of the Renaissance. It’s where many famous artists and thinkers supposedly brought the world out of the dark ages. It’s not nearly the size of Naples or certainly Rome but beautiful in its own right. The Arno river cuts the city in two one being Florence and the other our guide called “the other side of the Arno,” the other side of the tracks some might say.
After our picturesc beginning we headed straight into town to walk for the next three hours. We visited the Plaza del Duomo with its towering church dome, designed by Brunelleschi, the accompanying baptistry built in 12th century, the Campanille, the Torre del Mangia, the Palazzo Pubblico, and the Ponte Vecchio, famous bridge built in 1345 over the Arno river which houses gold and jewelry shops since the 1500’s. Most all of what Florence is famous for was funded by the Medicci, who held power from 1434-1743. They were at that time the richest family in the world.
We stopped for terrific Tuscan style lunch of an antipasto plate and fresh made fettucini with porcini mushrooms and a cheese and spinach ravioli. I’d never really eaten pasta unless it was covered by sauce of some sort but the Tuscan’s simply use fresh olive oil and parsley. It was nothing short of fabulous, though not inexpensive. We declined to pay 14 euros to see the original statue of David having seen an exact replica earlier on one of the plazas. After that it was back in the van for the trip back through the Tuscan hillside to Pisa.
Pisa is close the port and home of the University of Pisa, an important science school for the Italians. It wasn’t much of a town that we saw except for the Piazza del Duomo, its Baptistry, Campo Santo, and the Leaning Tower. Apparently building such things next to the Arno river was ill advised because of the shifting soil. Bottom line, everything there leans, the church, the baptistery, and the tower. At one time the tower leaned from vertical as much as 17ft. They’ve attempted to stop the progression of the lean and managed to slow it anyway. Our time was short and we didn’t have time to climb to the top, only to take in the sights before heading back to the ship.
Our evening was highlighted by an excellent dinner of turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings. After that a stroll down the Promenade for the turkey parade, and four Asian guys who did justice to a number of Beatles tune. Neither of us could stay awake for the 9:30 evening tribute to America show having been going, going, going for three straight days. Tomorrow is a day of rest for us in the city of Villefrance. Many will go to Monaco to see the casino. I guess it’s one of the largest in the world. For me, once you’ve seen one casino, you’ve seen them all.
Oh yeah, I bought something for me today. We stopped in a local market to try this year's olive oil. I bought some first press, one week old olive oil. Hope it makes it home in my suitcase unscathed.
Once again, ciao!!
De & ke
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