Fabulous Firenze

Tuscany is one of my favourite provinces in Italy. Deep in culture and art (like all of Italy) Tuscany has a certain warmth about it that I don't feel in any other part of the country.  The Italian dialect - or lack there of - is also quite extraordinary in these parts where the cadence on the "c" in words is very soft and almost pronounced as an "h" sound.  Marvelous. I also have a special connection to Tuscany because of my two months of Art History studied in Siena (with classes in Florence) in the summer of 2004. I have never forgotten it since, and consider Siena to be my second home (look out for Siena posting coming up a bit later).

The food in Tuscany is to DIE for (like all of Italy). Their specialty.... Florentine steak (picture below) and white beans in oil. Pizza and pasta is almost good anywhere but honestly I had to only pick two items as specialties here or I could go on for days.  We went to so many art galleries and museums in Florence and respected the "no pictures" rule so, there are fewer pictures here which don't really reflect the four wonderful days we spent here.  Enjoy Firenze!

Street leading to Il Duomo...

Il Duomo...

Il Duomo (coppola)...

Shannon Tweed...ya, thats right, we followed her for a bit...

Our hotel (albergo)...

Perseus With Head of Medusa by Cellini...

A replica of Michaelangelo's David...

BEST restaurant in Florence....Ciro and Sons...they brought us this to snack on with our Campari and Soda aperitivi (aperitifs)...If you are ever in Florence you HAVE to go here...

Do you see this steak??? Unlike anything I've ever tasted. Organic, and BARELY COOKED. It didn't taste bloody or "meaty" at all...I cant describe it. Drizzled with strawberry and a balsamic reduction...

And two Montenegro digestivi (digestives) to end a fabulous day and meal in Firenze.....

Sigh....how I wish I was back.

Till next time,
Pink and Sparkles
xoxo

Barcelona....si, si!

Barcelona was, by far, our FAVOURITE place on our trip! A city where beach meets metropolitan, where traditional meets contemporary.  We loved the sights, sounds and people, who were ever so friendly and beautiful.

View outside out hotel room...

Yummy tapas and sangria...

Pointing us in the right direction...

Spain won La Liga when we were there and a riot is how they celebrated...

The Casa Batllo - a wonderful Gaudi design...

Church on the walk to Sagrada Familia...

And finally, the Sagrida Familia - another magnificent Gaudi design.  Under construction since 1882, its completed construction date is estimated to be 2026. We considered ourselves lucky to see this monument in its construction and hope to make it back after the construction is complete.

The towers...

A part of the exterior wall...waiting to go up the towers.

Going up one of the towers...

Looking down the tower...eek!

Only one way down the tower...walking down the narrow, narrow winding stairs. I have to admit, we were a little freaked out.

Beautiful stained glass on the inside...

More architecture...

This was the first facade Gaudi started...

That night we went to see some authentic Flamenco dancing - amazing!!!

So beautiful...

Hope you enjoyed Barcelona...next up...Venezia!

Till next time,

Pink and Sparkles

Holland! (Well, Amsterdam)

The only thing I regret about this set of photos is that I didn't take enough pictures of the wonderful desserts Amsterdam had to offer....all kinds of danishes and pancakes and stuff...Le sigh.  I do, however, have these:

Dutch Architecture

 The bike culture is amazing

I wonder if they are crooked inside?? I couldn't tell!

 Random cat....looks so chilled out!

Rembrandt house!....his kitchen

His studio

His paints...or minerals

His objects

Holland is known for their flowers....tulips, especially.

So many allyways in the Red Light District

And so many random doorways down random, and steep, steps!

I hope you enjoyed Amsterdam...up next, Barcelona!

Till next time....

Pink and Sparkles

xoxo

Next stop, London town!!!!

Ahhh....what up, mate?!  We LOVED London...best part about it...the transit system , or the "tube", as they call it.  You could get from one end of the city to another in no time flat.  Such history and wonderful, wonderful people who went out of their way to help us if we were lost, smile for no reason and help us with our suitcases...well...my suitcase.  Expensive as heck, but worth the trip!
Enjoy.....

Till next time...

Pink and Sparkles,

xoxo