TRAVEL

My heart belongs in Florence…

florence

Not only in the beautiful often photographed architecture, people, art, church’s, streets, or even the glorious David, for me it’s in the details. Everywhere you gaze there is incredible beauty if you just choose to look for it.

I first visited Florence as a young backpacker in the 80’s and stayed for over a week. I still have my guide book which I took with me each morning to explore the city.

I wrote little notes in the margins and did little sketches on the back cover. I totally fell in love with Florence.

Not the outward tourist side of the city, rather the back roads, the shady night life, the lusty man selling me pizza near the train station as it was the cheapest place to get a meal on a tight budget.

The men who would pinch the bums of the ‘foreign’ girls on the bus from the youth hostel I was staying in. The way we would all keep a look out for the ticket inspector and jump out the back door.

Rubbing the snout of the boar at the market after being told that it meant I’d one day return.

When we visited with our children I had Carina rub that snout especially hard and told her one day we’d be back here for her wedding.

One afternoon wandering  Florence my husband got talking with someone working at the Palazzo Vecchio. Soon after we were following him up tiny spiral stairs where he granted us a view over the courtyard below the window.

Incredible….this is Florence the  city of my heart.

Most of these images were taken that afternoon, some by our then five year old daughter Carina. I love seeing what happens when we give our children a camera.

 Is your heart in Florence?

another Florence post : An Italian man – a hot summer

7 replies
  1. Carla Coulson
    Carla Coulson says:

    My first “Italian Love Affair” was with Florence!!! I can relate to this feeling you have
    Carla x

    Reply
    • Lisa Chiodo
      Lisa Chiodo says:

      I know Carla, II first visited Florence as a backpacker in my 20’s I was an art student and found paradise. The feeling never leaves you does it….
      ciao lisa x

      Reply
    • Lisa Chiodo
      Lisa Chiodo says:

      Well you just have to visit Sarah, I’ve seen your favorites New York and San Francisco as a backpacker in my 20’s and loved them both. Looks like we have gypsy blood,
      ciao for now
      Lisa

      Reply
  2. Cathy
    Cathy says:

    Gorgeous Lisa, and well done Carina for taking such lovely photos.

    Reply
    • Lisa Chiodo
      Lisa Chiodo says:

      Hey Cathy, both the kids love using the camera, I love seeing what they’ve taken photo’s of during the day. We need to charge the batteries each day to keep up with Luca.
      Doesn’t hurt that Sam and I both studied photography, it’s how we met….
      ciao lisa xx

      Reply

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  1. […] of Cape Town, Barcelona, Buenos Aires and Shanghai, while Renovating Italy shares enchanting photos of the city that stole her heart, Florence, Italy.  Erin Graves professes her love for Boston,  and World Flavor contrasts a favorite city (San […]

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