60 hours in Florence, Train, food, drink and sites! Part I , Arrival!

Ahhhhhh . They call this the fast train and I agree. 260 kph! From Rome to Florence in 1.5 hours!!!! Comfortable seats, WIFI and refreshments. What more can you ask for. The train arrives pretty close to the center of Florence so there was only a short walk to my B&B.

As I walk to my B&B these are my first sites of Florence. 

PIAZZA SANTA MARIA NOVELLA

Basilica di Santa Maria Novella

Sun clock on the front facade of the Basilica di Santa Maria Novella

Piazza Del Duomo

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_del_Duomo,_Florence

Below are just some photo of the piazza which i will get into on my next post and yes, they are as amazing as the pictures look!!!!! 

 The B&B happens to be right next to the Duomo!!!!!

I negotiated this down to 45.00 a night in the center of Florence. You gotta ask for a lower price!!!!! The bed looks nice but needs a new mattress!!!!!!!!

Here are some few more pictures as I walk the town this evening.

This picture is from my room!!!!!!!!

Duomo, This building is enormous and was built around five hundred years ago above some Roman ruins which I will go into later.

Giotto’s Campanile (bell tower)

My mug blocking the view!!!!

I'm heading out to eat. Its really late and not much is opened but I found of all thing a chinese restaurant/takeout place. I did meet some locals there and was recommended a restaurant(husband knows the chef) which I will visit in the next two days.

BTW. the chinese food was not that good. Blah! I miss Chinatown, Boston!!!!

Heading back to he B&B and see you in the morning!!!!!

Till the next thought............................
Ciao Ciao
Malcolm

Palermo, Sicily Italy

We headed to Palermo and the scenic view to Palermo was spectacular. No photos due to drive. We did not stop during the 3 hr ride. We arrived at our destination, the B&B(http://www.booking.com/hotel/it/casa-orioles.it.html). I was in culture shock from the surroundings. The neighborhood the b& b was located is the Ballaro section of the old city of Palermo. The inside of the B&B was fantastic, worlds apart from the exterior. with that said, take a peek at the photo's!!!!!!!!

A street next to the B & B

Looking right off balcony

Front door of  B & B

A tobacco shop across the street

Looking left off the balcony

The building next door

Chillen in the front lobby(crappy posing)

Now to show you the inside of the B & B......

Check out the old stone floor

Marco and the lobby

This art is made from the wood of an old ox cart.

Living room/kitchen area

Not bad for 31.00 Euros a night!

Allora, for the next post!!!!

I adventured out to the oldest known market in Palermo which was located in the Ballaro section of Palermo. I have great pictures of this.

That night I found a club called the Morrison s which featured live music and is having its one year anniversary next week.

Till the next thought........................ ciao ciao

Malcolm