2013 European Adventure June -July
Latest news
Kilometres walked
Total to date: 401.2 klms
Average /day: 10.8klms
Total to date: 401.2 klms
Average /day: 10.8klms
Sunday 14th July Castiglion Fiorentino
Well its been a few days since we last updated our blog. The days seem to be rushing past so quick, yet our time in Tuscany has been quite relaxing.
Since arriving in Castiglion Fiorentino on Wednesday afternoon, we have enjoyed exploring the town. Castiglion F is a lovely old town with a history that goes back BC. During our first walk through the town, we visited the local museum. Initially the staff did not speak English, but we think they called in a volunteer who did, and she was really excellent to talk about the history. The have conducted archeological digs on the top of the hill and under the museum is an excavated section where you can see the ancient ruins. They have fou nd remains going back to about 600BC. And there is some pottery and jewellry from this time.
Thursday afternoon, thunderstorms struct. It was interesting sitting in our hilltop appartment watching the lightning and rain. We thought thestorms had cleared so decided to drive to the next town Cortona, which is even more famous for its old town, however after a while of driving we decided to turn around. Roads were flooded in places, minor landslips and we thought safety should prevail.
On Friday we headed of to Florence. It was a really hot day, so we started by touring around on the Hop On Hop Off bus. This gave a good overview of Florence, but the heart of Florence is pedestrian only, so off the bus and start walking.
Florence is really beautiful city. After the quiet of CF it was tourist town town again- great hoards of tourists. The old buildings are really magnificent. We had to queue for entry to the cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, but worth the wait.
We found a street market that went on and on and on! by the time we got home about 9pm, time for take away pizza ( Pizzeria about 50m from appartment.)
Saturday was a lazy start. Steve was researching local markets- so off to Arezzo. We found the markets and it was very large but mainly clothes. So after walking the length of the market we headed into the old town. Again very impressive. Afternoon Siesta time, before a light dinner at home, cards, and then a late night wander upto the main Plaza in CF for drinks. It was surprising how many people were out and about at 11:00pm.
Sunday we are heading off again to Cortona. Hopefully finding a winery for lunch etc.
We are all keeping well, and realising we now have less then two weeks left. time is racing by.
Thanks everyone for feedback on the blog. Claire I can spell, but my typing skills on iPads suck!
Greg
Well its been a few days since we last updated our blog. The days seem to be rushing past so quick, yet our time in Tuscany has been quite relaxing.
Since arriving in Castiglion Fiorentino on Wednesday afternoon, we have enjoyed exploring the town. Castiglion F is a lovely old town with a history that goes back BC. During our first walk through the town, we visited the local museum. Initially the staff did not speak English, but we think they called in a volunteer who did, and she was really excellent to talk about the history. The have conducted archeological digs on the top of the hill and under the museum is an excavated section where you can see the ancient ruins. They have fou nd remains going back to about 600BC. And there is some pottery and jewellry from this time.
Thursday afternoon, thunderstorms struct. It was interesting sitting in our hilltop appartment watching the lightning and rain. We thought thestorms had cleared so decided to drive to the next town Cortona, which is even more famous for its old town, however after a while of driving we decided to turn around. Roads were flooded in places, minor landslips and we thought safety should prevail.
On Friday we headed of to Florence. It was a really hot day, so we started by touring around on the Hop On Hop Off bus. This gave a good overview of Florence, but the heart of Florence is pedestrian only, so off the bus and start walking.
Florence is really beautiful city. After the quiet of CF it was tourist town town again- great hoards of tourists. The old buildings are really magnificent. We had to queue for entry to the cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, but worth the wait.
We found a street market that went on and on and on! by the time we got home about 9pm, time for take away pizza ( Pizzeria about 50m from appartment.)
Saturday was a lazy start. Steve was researching local markets- so off to Arezzo. We found the markets and it was very large but mainly clothes. So after walking the length of the market we headed into the old town. Again very impressive. Afternoon Siesta time, before a light dinner at home, cards, and then a late night wander upto the main Plaza in CF for drinks. It was surprising how many people were out and about at 11:00pm.
Sunday we are heading off again to Cortona. Hopefully finding a winery for lunch etc.
We are all keeping well, and realising we now have less then two weeks left. time is racing by.
Thanks everyone for feedback on the blog. Claire I can spell, but my typing skills on iPads suck!
Greg