Day 15 May 2012

Today we drove up to Florence.  We found the same area to park outside the city center that we parked last time.  We were lucky to find a parking place.  We walked over to Santa Croce Cathedral, where we promptly found a leather shop and each bought a purse.  We had lunch, then enjoyed the shops and piazzas in old Florence.  The walk back to the car seemed longer after a day of walking around.

Santa Croce

Piazza Santa Croce

Piazza Publica

Perseus with the head of Medusa

 Florence Baptistry

Florence Cathedral

Florence Cathedral Bronze Doors

Duomo


Here is the pink cloud we encountered from our dining area when we got home.

 

Day 14 May 2012

We took it easy today, because it was a rainy morning.  We went into Fabro Scalo and had lunch at a little family owned restaurant.  I had a T-Bone steak which was quite good.

 Eating again

 End of the day looking out from our apartment.

Day 13 May 2012

Today we went to Scarzoula.

This spot is where allegedly St. Francis stayed in a straw hut after going through Perugia.  In 1400, the Franciscan monks built a monastery on the spot.   The architect, Tommaso Buzzi bought the property in 1956 and built his “ideal city” over 20 years:  http://www.fattoriadivibio.com/scarzuola-umbria-italy.php

This was such a marvelous tour, and we had a very dramatic Australian guide.  His dog “Sabastian” accompanied us on the tour.

Later that evening, we had pizza night, where we were given dough to roll out and add whatever we liked…artichokes, olives, tomatoes, bell peppers, cheese, etc.

 Bee Gate

 Bee Theatre

 Bee Theatre

 Monastary

Miniature city: Parthenon, Pantheon, Colosseum, etc.

 Sabastian

 Secret Gate

Dali-like sculpture

 Pizza I made

Pizza Night

Day 12 May 2012

Today, we decided to travel the countryside and take some pictures, since we had such great sunshine.  It was great going slow on some back roads and pulling over to take pictures.  Later, we went to La Tana del Gufo for dinner.  We usually go there for the pizza, but we had steak, salad, and french fries.  It was delicious.

Day 11 May 2012

Today, I received an email that my camera was ready to pick up in Perugia (it was not working properly one day after we got here, so I had to take it to the authorized Canon representative in Perugia).  We decided to drive up, have lunch, and visit the old city.  We found a lovely high relief sculpture on the back of the church Oratorio di s. Bernardino Perugia. 
"After the canonization in 1450 of St Bernardino of Siena, who visited Perugia many times to preach, the local Franciscan order built a church to commemorate the saint. Designed by the Tuscan Agostino di Duccio in 1461, the Oratorio di San Bernardino is one of the best examples of Perugia's early Renaissance masterpieces. The bas-relief is layered with multicoloured marble, limestone and terracotta angels and musicians. Do check out the exterior polychrome façade." (Lonelyplanet)

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/umbria-and-le-marche/perugia/sights/religious-spiritual/oratorio-san-bernardino#ixzz1vuJn63xZ

 

Day 10 May 2012

Today we went to Chianciano to see the local art museum, but it was closed, so we went on to the next town of Montepulciano.  This town is well known for its wine.  We had lunch and visited the many shops in the old city.

We returned to Casa Rondini, and got ready for "Pasta Night" where all the residents got together and made the Pasta from scratch!  We also got to sample the wines and liqueurs that they make at Casa Rondini.

Day 9 May 2012

Today we went to Spoleto.  We found the very long escalator to go to the Castle.  We saw a wonderful aqueduct and beautiful cathedral.  We enjoyed a lovely lunch, and dodged the rain.

 We were greeted by this beautiful moth when we returned home!

Day 8 May 2012

Today, we drove over to the old Fabro, since the roads were messed up the last time we were here.  Then, we tried to find a place for lunch and were not successful.  It started raining pretty hard, so we came back to Casa Rondini and made us a couple of hamburger patties, with onions and tomatoes, and decided to rest the remainder of the day.

The camera place finally got back to me and said my camera would be repaired by May 29th, so that'll give me about 10 days to take some really good pictures before we return.  Most of the pictures I have posted are from my iPhone and iPad.

This is a photo of our view, after the rains today.

Day 7 May 2012

Today we went to Citta d. Pieve and walked around the charming town and visited a couple of beautiful churches.

 

Then we drove to Chiusi, where we visited the Archeology Museum of Etruscan artifacts.

 

This is the Capitoline Wolf who suckled Romulus and Remus.

This is a funerary urn.

These are for roasting meat.

 

 Beautiful sarcophagi.

We later had pizza at our favorite restaurant.