This is the second post about the kitchen remodel. Have a look first, at Part 1 to see how the kitchen looked originally. When I returned from California, having vacated the apartment for two months for the lavori pesante---the "heavy works" as my architect termed it---this is how the place looked: So attractive to arrive to after 22 hours of travel! LOL While I
Read MoreFlorence
An Australian Opens a Bistrot in Florence
I am pleased to add this interview to my Taking the Plunge series Here is Chloé Guest who opened a bistrot/microbakery in Florence in 2019 Where do you come from and when did you first have a connection with Italy in your life? I was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. My aunt married an Italian-Australian farmer, who raised sugar cane and cattle. His mother, a
Read More
Mystical Solstice Event in Florence
"The information was lost, we didn't know..." The monk tells me from behind the counter of the monastic shop. "No one had noticed the solstice sun illuminating the zodiac?" "No, we didn't notice." The monk smiles. "It was figured out by Simone Bartolini." Simone Bartolini is an astronomer and cartographer who recently (around 2011) figured out that the marble zodiac on the
Read More
Finding Happiness with a Move to Florence
I am pleased to add this interview to my Taking the Plunge series Sophie Charlotte flourished in ways she never dreamed of after a move to Florence: When did you move to Florence, and what motivated you to make the move? I turned my long distance relationship with Italy into a long-term commitment in 2010, and I chose Florence. Florence has always represented
Read More
Three Restaurant Recommendations in Florence
Note: This post goes back to 2016. Its contents are still valid but for my latest restaurant recommendations, go to my Substack. I offer my curated and updated lists to subscribers there, along with lots of other info about travel to, and moving to, Italy. Del Fagioli Corso dei Tintori, 47rOpen Mon-Sun for lunch and dinner.Closed Saturdays and
Read More
The Perfect Renaissance Church with Gorgeous Art (That you didn’t know was there)
Wondering where to see fantastic art for free in Florence? The city has so much art in its churches---of such high quality---that you almost don't need to pay for museums. For an updated version of this post go to my Substack
Read More