October 10, 2013
Florence

Well its been an interesting last two days.  Yesterday Sue, Jill and Ann took the high speed train (260 KM/H), from their apartment in Rome to visit with us.  We started the day at the Piazzo Pitti (Pitti Palace) home to the Medici family since the 1500's until it was turned over to the Italian government in 1919.  Helluva place over 500 pieces of art in the bedrooms alone, statues and the ceiling paintings were made to look like tapestries in 3D with even simulated wrinkles.  The Boboli Gardens are here as well.  Check it out at    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Pitti

After another delicious lunch at Toscanella's again, then onto the Piazza della Signoria where there are all kinds of statues including the one of Michalango's David.  The original is in the Acadamia but this one is an exact replica.  Walked the different streets and toured Il Domo the major cathedral in town.  Headed back to our hotel where we all had gelato and the girls all had prosecco (Italian champagne) prior to them heading back to Rome.  It was great having them come and spend the day here.

Today we went to Santa Croce a Franciscan order basilica built in the mid 1300's.  There are tombs here with the remains of Dante, Galellio, Michalango and countless others.  There is one tomb of an Italian artist that has the statue of liberty is based upon the only difference is the size and Lady Liberty is holding a torch where this one is holding a broken chain.

Here is the website   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_Santa_Croce,_Florence

Had some excitement both Debbie and Marla used their atm cards at the ATM machine around the corner from the hotel at the Banco Toscano October 7 at 4.45.  They both used their cards at the same machine within 1 minute of each other.  Today both of their cards were hit today in Venice (we are NOT in Venice)  both for the maximum daily allotted Marla for $750 and Deb's for $475.   Phoned and cancelled cards but interesting nonetheless.  I will be having a conversation with the bank first thing in the morning.

Tonights dinner was a really fun time a place called Celestino.  Our waiter was a gentleman named Stefano and made the evening a lot of fun. Lary and I shared a 1kg t-bone steak done Florentine style and it was quite tasty.  The beef that they use is supposed to be exclusively Chianina I am not sure if my family ever crossbred at our farm with those but do remember the breed.

We are off to Cinque Terra by train tomorrow and will check in with you later on!

Ciao!
D&D