The Cappella della Madonna di Vitaleta on the road from Pienza to San Quirico d'Orcia
224. Florence Biennial
Every two years they hold a very special antiques festival at the huge Palazzo Corsini on the Lungarno. The palazzo is opposite the Harold Acton Library, part of the British Institute, where I work. We were curious to have a peek inside and this seemed like the perfect opportunity...
The Palace dates from the 17th century and is in the Baroque style. It was built by the Grand Duke Ferdinando II de' Medici and sold to the Corsini family in 1649.
As well as some incredible pieces of furniture for sale there were also paintings actually for sale by famous artists such as Canaletto, Poussin, Van Dyck, Canova and Tintoretto.
The palazzo inside was incredible, with enormous ballrooms, monumental staircase and even a grotto in the basement! We also enjoy a stroll on the terrace, with some great views across the river. Unfortunately our budget doesn't quite stretch to afford a Titian painting!
223. Collodi
We had decided to visit San Miniato, but somehow I manage to take the wrong road and we decide to carry on to Collodi in Pescia. It's the unlikeliest of destinations and here we are in the hometown of Italy's greatest children's stories, Pinocchio. The guy that wrote the book was called Carlo Lorenzini, better known as Carlo Collodi, because he came from the town of Collodi, near Pescia.
There is a small theme park here and a famous villa and gardens called 'Garzoni'. The latter is what we've actually come to visit. The garden is built into the hillside and has some cool waterfalls, somewhat reminiscent of Tivoli gardens and some huge statues. The villa is closed, but we a stroll around the gardens.
There is a small theme park here and a famous villa and gardens called 'Garzoni'. The latter is what we've actually come to visit. The garden is built into the hillside and has some cool waterfalls, somewhat reminiscent of Tivoli gardens and some huge statues. The villa is closed, but we a stroll around the gardens.
222. Certaldo and Montespertoli
Autumn has come early and this weekend the forecast is sun on Saturday and rain on Sunday, so we force ourselves out today and take a picnic and drive out to Montespertoli and stretch out on the rug in an olive grove on the ridge of a hill at Lucolena.
Afterwards we head on to Certaldo - birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio. We last came here three years ago, but only rushed around. This time we take it a little more leisurely - A short funicular ride takes you up to Certaldo 'Alto' and the historic part of the town.
There is a wedding going on and we follow the bride and groom around the town, meeting up with them in the 'Governer's Palace - where there is an erotic art exhibition taking place. However the town is prettier than we remembered and we even stop to enjoy an aperitivo in an outside bar.
For a Saturday evening it's still quiet and we discover that all the locals are down in the new part of the town for their evening 'passeggiata'.
Afterwards we head on to Certaldo - birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio. We last came here three years ago, but only rushed around. This time we take it a little more leisurely - A short funicular ride takes you up to Certaldo 'Alto' and the historic part of the town.
There is a wedding going on and we follow the bride and groom around the town, meeting up with them in the 'Governer's Palace - where there is an erotic art exhibition taking place. However the town is prettier than we remembered and we even stop to enjoy an aperitivo in an outside bar.
For a Saturday evening it's still quiet and we discover that all the locals are down in the new part of the town for their evening 'passeggiata'.
221. Cala Violina and Scarlino
Our last visit to the beach this year and we choose to go to Cala Violina in Grosetto.
We start out nice and early and by midday we're sunning ourselves on the powder white sand and dipping outr toes in the turquoise waters.
The beach is half empty as Tuscany is already in Autumn mode, with more people hunting for mushrooms than sunbathing!
I somehow manage to get myself sunburnt for the first time this summer, but we have an enjoyable time and even manage a '50' ralley with our bat and ball!
In the evening we pop into the hill-top town of Scarlino. There isn't much going on there, but the views are pretty awe-inspiring!
(Original journal entry 25/9/05)
We start out nice and early and by midday we're sunning ourselves on the powder white sand and dipping outr toes in the turquoise waters.
The beach is half empty as Tuscany is already in Autumn mode, with more people hunting for mushrooms than sunbathing!
I somehow manage to get myself sunburnt for the first time this summer, but we have an enjoyable time and even manage a '50' ralley with our bat and ball!
In the evening we pop into the hill-top town of Scarlino. There isn't much going on there, but the views are pretty awe-inspiring!
(Original journal entry 25/9/05)
220. Pratolino 'Broadway' and Tijuana
It's a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Far tto nice to stay in, so after work in the morning, we pop to our favourite park at Pratolino for some relaxation and what do you know there's a free concert at 5 pm!
A selection of Gershwin and Bernstein classics in the red room of the Villa Demidoff.
In the evening we book a table at Tijuana, a Mexican restaurant we went to a few years ago. It's crowded and noisy, but the food is red hot!
(Original journal entry 24/9/05)
A selection of Gershwin and Bernstein classics in the red room of the Villa Demidoff.
In the evening we book a table at Tijuana, a Mexican restaurant we went to a few years ago. It's crowded and noisy, but the food is red hot!
(Original journal entry 24/9/05)
223. Biennial at the Palazzo Corsini
Every two years they hold a very special antiques festival at the huge Palazzo Corsini on the Lungarno. The palazzo is opposite the Harold Acton Library, part of the British Institute, where I work. We were curious to have a peek inside and this seemed like the perfect opportunity...
The Palace dates from the 17th century and is in the Baroque style. It was built by the Grand Duke Ferdinando II de' Medici and sold to the Corsini family in 1649.
As well as some incredible pieces of furniture for sale there were also paintings actually for sale by famous artists such as Canaletto, Poussin, Van Dyck, Canova and Tintoretto.
The palazzo inside was incredible, with enormous ballrooms, monumental staircase and even a grotto in the basement! We also enjoy a stroll on the terrace, with some great views across the river. Unfortunately our budget doesn't quite stretch to afford a Titian painting!
The Palace dates from the 17th century and is in the Baroque style. It was built by the Grand Duke Ferdinando II de' Medici and sold to the Corsini family in 1649.
As well as some incredible pieces of furniture for sale there were also paintings actually for sale by famous artists such as Canaletto, Poussin, Van Dyck, Canova and Tintoretto.
The palazzo inside was incredible, with enormous ballrooms, monumental staircase and even a grotto in the basement! We also enjoy a stroll on the terrace, with some great views across the river. Unfortunately our budget doesn't quite stretch to afford a Titian painting!
219. Vino e Piacere - Impruneta
And so onto this year's Vino e Piacere wine festival. It's chucking it down with rain, but we don't let this dampen our spirits. This year their holding it in the cloisters of the church in Impruneta.
Saturday afternoon and we head straight down underground to the the red department, as this year they have two of Italy's most famous wines, Sassicaia and Ornellaia on the list! There are two spaces where the wines should be, but as we know most of the sommeliers we both get a taste of the 2002 Sassicaia... wow! at 105 euro a bottle, it's not every day you get to drink this beauty! The Ornellaia has finished for the day as have some of the other top wines, but that's ok as I return on Sunday a bit earlier to try them too!
Still we enjoy our Saturday afternoon, with Spumante and Champagnes to taste, as well as the white and dessert wines. There is also plenty of food to taste, including some interesting lentil and bean salads and those wicked soft chocolate cantucci biscuits.
So all-in-all a very successful weekend, oh and I still have that box of wine from Stefano Chioccioli to dip into...
(Original journal entry 18/9/05)
Saturday afternoon and we head straight down underground to the the red department, as this year they have two of Italy's most famous wines, Sassicaia and Ornellaia on the list! There are two spaces where the wines should be, but as we know most of the sommeliers we both get a taste of the 2002 Sassicaia... wow! at 105 euro a bottle, it's not every day you get to drink this beauty! The Ornellaia has finished for the day as have some of the other top wines, but that's ok as I return on Sunday a bit earlier to try them too!
Still we enjoy our Saturday afternoon, with Spumante and Champagnes to taste, as well as the white and dessert wines. There is also plenty of food to taste, including some interesting lentil and bean salads and those wicked soft chocolate cantucci biscuits.
So all-in-all a very successful weekend, oh and I still have that box of wine from Stefano Chioccioli to dip into...
(Original journal entry 18/9/05)
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