Living the retirement dream

We are sharing our ideal retirement experiences.

Firenze

We have been to Florence a number of times but only for a night or two at a time. We did spend two weeks in Loro Ciuffenna Tuscany in 2015 in a farmhouse villa with a lot of friends. We now feel that Florence seems like a perfect place to spend six weeks in the springtime. Jim picked up a new passport (old one ran out of visa pages) the afternoon of our flight out which was April 14.

We had a driver take us to Peggy’s house in Boston on Tuesday April 14 as there were no rental cars available in Newport or Middletown because this is school vacation week.
We took an Uber to Logan International Airport which was a mistake as they have to drop people off in the center of the airport leaving a long walk to any of the terminals. Taxi or private car would be much better. This is Jim starting the long walk to Terminal E.
Jim is able to handle all of our luggage except for Sandy’s personal item.
Flying over the Swiss alps from Zurich to Florence.
Arriving Florence about 2pm.
Our new front door for the next six weeks.
Living room and stairs to the second bedroom/loft with a private bathroom upstairs also.
Looking down on Piazza Strozzi with the Palazzo Strozzi on the left and Louis Vuitton on the right.
Living room and bedroom windows looking over Piazza Strozzi.
The next square over is Piazza della Repubblica. We stayed in Pensione Pendini on the right there in 2015 with Helen and Sue.
Many of these wine windows in Florence.
Just a pretty picture, a shop near us.
Looking out our living room window at Piazza Strozzi. We have friends from San Miguel de Allende living across the street. They live back and forth between Mexico and Italy and they just happen to be here now.
We went to their house for drinks and appetizers one of our first nights here. Gilda and Fulvio Carbonaro are mostly retired but Gilda is writing a cookbook and Fulvio is always helping friends. We went to their home for dinner once in San Miguel de Allende and had them over to one of our parties there.
Gilda and Fulvio making us paella at their home in SMA.
Pictured on the left are our friends Ivonne and Miguel who introduced us to Gilda and Fulvio in Mexico. Robert Reich and partner also joined us for dinner.
Gilda taking us to the market on our second day here.
Steeple of Santa Croce Chiesa.
Lovely vegetables
and meat.
Gilda gave us such a great tour of this market. We have already been back many times.
Sandy has to have flowers.
Fulvio met us at the market for coffee.
Meal at home from the market place. Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, olives and parma ham.
A video of the activity at Piazza della Republica.
Crossing the Arno going to another friend’s home.
Dinner with Madeleine and Don Leone. This couple lived above us in Boston in 2016 & 17.
L’ Osteria di Giovanni, highly recommended.
A rare view of Ponte Vecchio without any tourists. 7am heading out on a walk with Fulvio and Gilda.
Starting out on a six mile walk by ourselves.
Heading uphill.
Once out of the crowds of Florence the views are spectacular.
Villas
one lane roads
olive orchards and vineyards
Just spectacular.
Coming back down into Florence.
Three towers that we have climbed.
American Consulate.
Madeleine asked us to give a brief presentation to her American Women’s Club about what we have been doing in our retirement.
Jim put together a powerpoint presentation (his first ever) and we both gave them a nice overview of our last nine years. It was well received and went over quite well.

What a great city this is and we are having a delightful time. We introduced Gilda and Fulvio to Madeleine and Don which they both appreciated. We have spent additional time with both couples which has been very gratifying for us. We look forward to more time with both and also anticipate lovely times with friends and family who are coming to visit with us.

Living our retirement dream

3 responses to “Firenze”

  1. Christina Larson Avatar
    Christina Larson

    As always – such a wonderful blog! We were in Florence 3 years ago and didn’t see half of what you shared, makes me want to go back. It is such a spectacular city. And Robert Reich – WOW. I love him! Such famous people you hang out with! 😊

    Reply
  2. Marie Avatar
    Marie

    What a lovely city to spend some time in. We’ve been there 2 or 3 times over the years but always in August and always just on a day trip so not the best way to enjoy the place!

    Reply
  3. Mark Neylon Avatar
    Mark Neylon

    I didn’t know you were in Florence! If you don’t know about it, check out the Villa San Michele, somewhere in the Dlirence foothills.

    Reply

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