We start today's visit with a short walk. Only a block away with Rachel Potts who will be our guide at the Palazzo Massimo alle Terme. On the way, we pass Carol & my favorite local café and say goodbye to Massimo, the owner, and Umberto, our frequent waiter.
http://www.romeguide.it/palazzomassimo/palazzomassimoalletermeeng.htm
Carol & I have already visited this museum during our “extra days.” We spent 7 enjoyable, interesting hours there. We are glad to go this time with a person who is more familiar with certain items and are thankful for that. I am convinced my time is better spent having a guide to act as an “advisor” as to the “must see” things. After saying that, am still glad we had time to to study things of interest to us, even if not on some special list of – don’t miss...
We spent about 90 minutes in this museum. Of course, the 7 hours we were there last week helped to see things in a non-hurried fashion. On both the visits, noticed other groups who spent less that half the time we did on this visit. Such a shame. They are missing the chance to see so much. Am sure the person who made the brochure used for their tour said - we will “visit” the (fill in the blank). Whether they had time to truly observe and digest all, is doubtful in my view.
Thought I would add this timelapse video with a day travel of Rome in a few minutes - enjoy (-:
http://vimeo.com/62293772
Before getting on the high speed train –220 Kph – we have lunch @ Cucina Nazionale on Via Nazionale 3. The review below agrees with our taste test – good food.
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Italy/Lazio/Rome-144659/Restaurants-Rome-La_Cucina_Nazionale-BR-1.html
We had a short walk to the train terminal. Was astounded by the throngs of people going every which way. We found our way to track #6 where the train awaited us for departure to Florence. The ride was smooth with only two stops along the way. Looking out the window to the ever-changing scenery was grand. Before we knew it – the Florence stop was here.
We only had to pull our bags maybe 300 yards to get to Hotel Rivoli, our home for the next four days.
http://www.hotelrivoli.it/en/
We had a chance to “explore” for a few hours before dinner. With no time to waste, it was off in the direction we would be touring over the next few days. “Just down the block,” - a 15 minute walk was our first “surprise.” The Basilica of Santa Maria Novella located on Piazza di Santa Maria Novella.
http://chiesasantamarianovella.it/en
http://www.panoramicearth.com/5479/Florence/Piazza_di_Santa_Maria_Novella
Since we were only on a let's check things out schedule, expanded the walk to a few more blocks until the next surprise – The Duomo. Wow.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Cathedral
From there, decided to try finding our way back to the hotel and came across a street filled with vendor carts. Most were selling leather goods and other specialties of the Florence area. Later we were told the much cattle is raised in the area. The cowhides are then used for leather goods from wallets – which I bought - and beautiful jackets.
A few twist and turns of the streets later, we are back at the Piazza di Santa Maria Novella. From there, leisurely walk back to the hotel in time to walk back the same route to our dinner destination. We had another great meal – this time at Ristorante Benedicta. Needless to say, we couldn’t turn down an opportunity for another tasty meal – and hope we can walk off all the extra calories.
http://www.ristorantebenedicta.it/area_en.asp?idCategoria=5
Again, another variation on a theme - Tiramisu . Yummy.
Photo 1. Is our Tour Guide – Rachel Potts
Photo 2. Shows our fast Train to Firenze
Photo 3. Tiramisu # 10 (-:
Click below for today's online photo album.
https://picasaweb.google.com/magwheel44/2013C2CDay20of28
