Florence On My Mind

D and I took the leap, booked our tickets to Florence, and have narrowed down the choice of hotel to two top choices. The trip is going to happen! Pushing enter as the final step to on-line reservations was a great feeling. We didn't try to analyze or over-think the trip; just checked out the options, picked some dates and said "Go".

I'm really excited about this adventure; my second trip to Italy. The first was 38 years ago (OMG but that's a long time ago). In July 1970, I traveled through Europe with Mom and Dad on a whirlwind blast through Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, Belgium and the Netherlands. We didn't stay in any one place longer than a few days; constantly on the move by train with our Eu rail passes. The only city we visited in Italy was Florence. I sure wish I could find those old slides of our trip and the name of the pensione where we stayed. The bed and breakfast was very close to the Basilica de Santa Maria del Fiore as shown here. I remember motorcycle noise all night long but that didn't detract from the magnificence of our experience. I'm thrilled to be returning. As a teenager, I never imagined I'd return decades later, parent to a daughter studying abroad in Florence for the year.

We plan to stay put in Florence for the ten days we're in Italy except for the possibility of some day trips to the wine country or Pisa. We want to explore Florence at a more leisurely pace and spend time with Laura when she's not in class. The weather in early November might not be the greatest but certainly won't be any worse than what we'd have in Seattle. I'm prepared. The food will taste just as wonderful even with overcast or rainy, chilly skies. Michelangelo's David and the Uffizi Gallery will be just as marvelous. There will be fewer tourists, shorter lines for the museums, and other perks unique to the season.

There's much to read in preparation for the trip (and for fun). I've always been tempted by Irving Stone's The Agony and the Ecstasy and Brunelleschi's Dome by Ross King. Sounds like this is the perfect opportunity. Going to read....more later!