Figline, Firenze

I’ve fallen a little behind on my blogging, mainly because we have been on the move. We had a travel day on Friday, from Rome to Figline which is south of Florence in Tuscany.

This trip was marked by a few issues of poor planning ( my opinion). We are travelling by bus which left the BW Universo around 10 AM.

Since check-in time at the Casagrande Villas in Figline is at 3 pm, we were not in a hurry. We made a stop at a truck stop for coffee- better than you might imagine as most truck stops “auto grills”) have baristas and serve cappuccino.

Our tour manager then informed that we would make another stop for lunch at a place the driver (Marco) knows which was described as charming, by the hillside with places to eat outside.

Hey- let’s face it, we should have known that places recommended by bus drivers are truck stops. So- 45 minutes later, we stopped at another truck stop for lunch. I have nothing good to say, so will say nothing.

Having frittered more than half a day, we arrived at a pretty nice hotel in Figline which is not pronounced as spelled. I went to the pool and Jim decided to do laundry. Now the single washer and dryer were ancient and slow, so while he excitedly undertook this task, our clothes were still very damp (wet) by dinner. They remain hung all around our room waiting for a breeze to dry them.

We were directed to the town square for dinner options which turned out to be few. Some served only wine, some only lunch, one only pizza (we have had our fill), but finally found an enoteca with a nice menu and enjoyed a good meal followed by gelato.

Yesterday we had a packed day in Florence. A nice walking tour with all the usual sites (no entry): Palazzo Vecchio, Uffizi Gallery; the Duomo and Baptistry; Santa Croce; and the Ponte Vecchio. Then the cherry on top- entry into the Academia to see Michelangelo’s David. Always a wow.

When travelling with Jim K, we could not let the day end here so we skipped the bus ride back, entered the Uffizi and stayed until closing; had dinner in Palazzo Vecchio; walked the Ponte Vecchio and toured Santa Croce. We made the 9:15 train and were at the hotel by 10:00. Long day, but well worth it.