Florence and its Duomo. Via Unsplash.
By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
FEB. 2, 2024 | It was about as small an advertisement in a church newspaper as possible: only one column inch deep. It told of an apartment for rent in Florence, Italy. While we had planned a two-week trip, when we saw the details, the four-week price was so attractive that we booked it immediately.
And it turned out to be our family’s best vacation ever. Our three children came over for a week at a time with friends. From Australia came a close newspaper friend for a week! We had plenty of space – three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and dining room, all near the train station downtown. There was a grand piano in the hall. (Later we learned that this apartment had another very desirable feature, screens on the windows, which many apartments in Florence do not have. (Really, there are plenty of mosquitos in Florence. You need screens.)
When new guests arrived, we suggested that they take either the No. 12 or 13 bus. The circular routes went in opposite directions and only cost $1. It helped orient them to the city. We roamed the city far and wide, visiting the many museums and churches, enjoyed the squares, found tasty new foods, and never tired of the experience.
One of our favorite spots was the massive cathedral, which dominates the city, known as Filippo Brunelleschi’s Dome, the symbol of Renaissance culture. From this high perch, you can look out over the city. Climbing inside the Dome, checking out the way the Dome was constructed with its interconnecting arches was fascinating. It was completed in 1436. Think of building such a structure with no modern tools, or power!
We learned Italian ways. For instance, at the supermarket, you don’t handle the fruit or vegetables unless you put on a plastic glove. And bring your own bags for your purchases. As for Italian restaurants, we enjoyed many. Our best meal was “twice-baked chicken,baked in butter, the tastiest chicken we’ve ever had, and at a small restaurant. Our meal was so good we went back the next night and ordered the same entree. It wasn’t until our last child arrived that we found the best gelato in the city.
There was art in Florence staring you in the face at every turn. It was incredible, enjoyable and daily venture. We concentrated on the city of Florence, only taking two one-day rail trips to Siena and Lucca. It seemed you could never see all the galleries and museums (and churches) in Florence.
Getting away is so enjoyable. We want to hear of the favorite places you have been. Or where you plan to go this year. Now think of the vacations you have enjoyed over the years. Tell us about them, and why you enjoyed them. Just write of your enjoyable destinations to us in an email.
That’s another good element of vacations: planning the trip. With this cold and rainy winter season, it’s the best time to be planning and booking your trip so you can snag great accommodations on your vacation. It’ll produce happy memories!
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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