Food Musings

A Winnipeg blog about the joy of preparing food for loved ones and the shared joy that travel & dining brings to life.

Tuscany Trip Report-Day Five, Part One

October28

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After enjoying the wonderful sunshine in Montecatini’s Piazza, we strolled to the train station for our journey to Florence. We had been briefed that driving was restricted and parking difficult and we were quite ready to sit back and relax on this day trip.

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The country side scenery was beautiful and the train so efficient -we were in Firenze station in no time. Centrally located, we walked from the station in the direction of the piazza with the throngs of other travellers.

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Our main intent was for D to view Michelangelo’s David and we had asked for directions while still at our hotel base in Montecatini. Unfortunately, we were either misinformed or had misunderstood as we were told that David was at the Ufizzi Gallery.

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We made our way there purchased a premium ticket so as not to have to wait in line, but we still had a short wait, had to go through a security check and D had to check his backpack (even though others were allowed to keep theirs if they wore them on their fronts).

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We began to wind our way through the galleries in pursuit of David-the prize.

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When we thought that we were coming to the end of the path, we asked a security guard if David was still ahead.

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Boticelli- who I loved when studying art history at university.

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I also studied the exquisite Bernini.

Even with our limited understanding of Italian, we could interpret that we were indeed in the wrong gallery.

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We exited soon after but not until we had our photo taken on the terrace at the restaurant

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and viewed the Rialto Bridge that I had visited some 40 years prior. After hiking over to Acadamea to see more line ups and required ticket purchases, D made the decision to give up on the goal.

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The consolation prize was that we did get to view David’s replica by the Ufizzi

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along with a gallery of other exquisite replicas.

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By this time we were hungry and D found us a spot in the sunshine right on the piazza of the Duomo.

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I indulged in Tuscan sausage, truffles and cream pasta

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and D the fruitti de mare

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along with our customary half carafe of house wine.

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Soon after we hopped the train back to Montecatini.

Kath’s quote: “Even now I miss Italy dearly, I dream about it every night” – Eila Hiltunen

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Love never fails.

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