Baptistery of St. John, Siena, Italy
When it comes to early Renaissance art, Siena is more or less thought of as Florence’s little brother. A lot of the same artists worked in Siena. Donatello and Ghiberti … Read more
Italy
Saint Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome
The church of Saint Cecilia features an extraordinary sculpture of the saint below the altar. Well worth a visit just to see it.
The Medici Chapels, Florence, Italy
Maybe it was just the day–Christmas Eve–but, aside from us, there was almost nobody in the Medici Chapels. That’s lucky if you’re trying to make photos, but disturbing when you … Read more
The Duomo and Bell Tower at Night, Florence, Italy
It’s impossible to walk around Florence at any time of day and not risk bumping into people, light poles, or parked cars. Because wherever you go, you’re confronted with the … Read more
Our 2015 Travels in 50 Photos
I said the same thing last year, but 2015 was our biggest year in travel yet. Four continents and 16 countries, about 75 cities, 11 United States National Parks, and … Read more
Modern Architecture in Rome: Rebuilding the City
I don’t mind saying that travel has a way of reminding me how little I know. In Rome a few weeks ago (December 2014), we signed up to take our … Read more
Florence Italy Revisited: The Church Circuit
Note: This story was originally posted together with a summary of Florence’s museums. But the post became unwieldy: that’s how many significant churches and museums are recommended in Florence. Churches, … Read more
Food and Shelter in Florence
Our Eurail Pass traveling was winding down when we hit Florence. Instead of pressing on, we stayed for two weeks, including Christmas. It was a good chance to refresh our memories of Florence, to discover new neighborhoods, and revisit some favorite works of art. Oh, so many recommendations we have for you!
Our 2014 Travels in 50 Photos
2014 was our biggest year of traveling yet. We visited 19 countries, including a long driving trip in the western United States. We saw, in order, the United States, Belgium, … Read more
Drama in the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence, Italy
I’ll flirt with heresy and say, To Florence, the Palazzo Vecchio (“Old Palace”) is every bit as iconic as the Duomo. Or more so. It has the advantage of sitting … Read more