Monday, December 12, 2011

Tuscany: home of the bean: San Gimignano, Siena, Arezzo and Viareggio

San Gimignano is a medieval town known for its multitude of towers- back in the day - it had 72- that's a lot for a beautiful little town....







a typical Tuscana vista....


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Monteriggioni: a small town which was on the famous pilgram's path - Via Francigena  from Canterbury, England to Rome and referenced in Dante's Divine Comedy.



Siena is famous for its historical centre and the Palio, a horse race held twice yearly.
The Duomo of Siena is a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture in Italy. The construction of the cathedral began in the 12th century and the façade was completed by 1380. Source: Life in Italy.com




 old streets of Siena

 in the Piazza del Campo and looking at the Palazzo Pubblico (town hall....
 checking the map... the finger's on the Duomo....


Where the film La vita è bella, 1997 was filmed....
...looking up the street to the Santa Maria della Pieve

..in the Piazza Grande (above and below)
The Communal Palace in Arezzo

 Church of San Domenico

 
 One of the best meals I've ever had....sorry got no photos as it was all over so quickly and deliciously!!
More about Arezzo....

Last but by no means least...Viareggio.. there for only a few short hours - I will return at Carnvale time!
Viareggio is the second largest city within the Province of Lucca
the beach- at dust and sunset...








Sunday, October 30, 2011

More Milanese adventures...

Italy's version of my old favourite!!! Love the name!



Around my area-







 Streets of Milano



 San Carlo al Corso- 5 minutes walk down Corso Vittorio Emmanuelle (near the Duomo).

 Duomo by night.....



Around the Navigli area...
 
.....a mecca for artists and a great place for a dinner... coffee or an aperitivo...
 one of the oldest trees in Milano....

I visited this area recently with a Milanese friend M. who was so kind as to give me an insight into the history of the Navigli area... we also went into one of the oldest churches in Milan - the San Cristoforo sul Naviglio.
 Read more about it here:
Unfortunately I was stupid enough NOT to take an photos...
 Milano Centrale built by the Facists...


The Elephant Parade hits Milano... from the 16th September (and through to the 15th November 2011), this is the most famous open-air exhibition in the world dedicated to saving the Asian elephant from extinction.
 
 My first fashion show in Milano...Cannella Fall-Winter Collections

Basilica of San Lorenzo


 More pics of the Palazzo della Ragione (Palace of Reason).....