Tuscany (Firenze, Arezzo, Cortona) 2016: Part 2

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This is merely a short report, summarily reconstructed nine years later, and therefore not a full-fledged travel blog.

After a stop in Lugano, on the beautiful lake of the same name in Ticino (Italian Switzerland), we will drive towards Florence, Tuscany. In Lugano, we stay in a small hotel in the heart of the city, close to the waterfront promenade. It's quite beautiful, charming, and inviting for strolling and enjoying the scenery, but it is surprisingly expensive.

Arriving in Sesto Fiorentino, we settled into a modest abode at Agroturismo " Il Cerretino " with a swimming pool and panoramic views of Florence. It proved to be an ideal base for exploring the city and surrounding area.

In Florence itself, we visit the Mercato Centrale, where my sweetheart immediately falls for it. See the fun blog: My Italian Wife as a Buyer (Story 1).

Afterwards, we take extensive city walks and visit the "usual suspects," including the overwhelming Uffizi Gallery , where we allow ourselves to be subdued by the majestic beauty of the Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Titian, Botticelli, and other Caravaggio's . The Renaissance city feels like a rebirth and a reconciliation with long-missed aesthetic beauty. In the Piazza della Signora , alongside the famous David and other masterful sculptures, we now also find sculptures by Jan Fabre, such as his Golden Turtle and The Man Who Measures the Clouds .

But also in other places, such as its green

Beetles in the Palazzo Vecchio with its iconic tower and another stunningly beautiful museum inside. And of course, the majestic, striped Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore , or simply the Duomo (1296-1472), with its unique, daring dome design by Brunelleschi .

Opposite it stands the Baptistery with its beautifully crafted bronze gates, and behind it, the Campanile (tower). From the roof terrace of the Rinascente complex, we can also admire the building from above. And the museums, too, sometimes offer sublime views of the Arno River and the remarkable Ponte Vecchio with its many jewelry shops. Across the river , we linger for a while in Il Giardino di Boboli , lush gardens with architectural accents. And, of course, we also enjoy local food, drinks, snacks, and trinkets.

From our accommodation, we also head north to explore the delightful village of Fiesole , and via the town of Fratelino , we head to Borgo San Lorenzo . Along the way, we visit the Parco Mediceo (Villa Davidoff), a historic residence with ingenious water features, statues, and fountains. Ristorante Zocchi , overlooking the park, is a true culinary gem that we visit several times. In Barberino de Mugella, we stumble upon a Sagra dei Funghi (a porcini mushroom season festival). Countless giant porcini mushrooms are meticulously cleaned by women at long tables and then braised on massive, round baking trays over wide fires. Impressive and delicious.

The second week we visit the beautiful city of Arezzo along the way. Also known as the location

from the beautiful film La Vità è Bella by comedian Roberto Benigni . It couldn't be better when we stumbled upon a procession of groups in colorful medieval costumes, who ultimately culminated in a genuine historical reenactment in the square near the Pallazo del Commune . What an exceptional stroke of luck! Among the other sights, I still remember the church of San Francesco and the Vasari House, with its beautiful interiors, ceilings, and a fresco by Fra Angelico .

We drive to Centoia , below Cortona , where we stay in a kind of chalet where it is wonderful

We're lingering in the middle of fields covered only with sunflowers and grapevines. The owner of our accommodation turns out to be a very friendly Pipo who treats us to a bottle of his own red wine, which we find exceptionally delicious. Despite his "not for sale" policy (small stock, albeit with a very high local quality mark), we manage to snag a case. Credits: my Nella, of course. Cortona is a wonderful place to stroll and enjoy the restaurants with balconies overlooking the central Piazza del Commune, for example. I indulged my taste buds with the pasta dish Pici all'Aglione . We strolled through the town itself and also popped into the Museo Diocesano .

We enjoy simple, home-cooked dishes on our terrace, where one evening a small fox even comes to meet us between our legs. We also have the place practically to ourselves while swimming and sunbathing.

And sure, it's wonderful to take excursions through the charming, characteristic Tuscan landscape with its rolling hills and pine trees, its large rolled-up straw bales, and rows of neatly lined cypresses. A trip to Forano de la Chiana , Monte San Savino , and the charming village of Castiglion Fiorentino offers highlights along the way, such as Abbazza Monte Olivo (those painted refectory walls!), the Basilica of Santa Margerita , the Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Grazie in Calcinaio (that view over the valley), and Fort Girifalco in Camucia .

We are heading home,

again via a stopover with an overnight stay in Lugano where we enjoy an ideal, higher view over the lake in a great pizzeria/restaurant in the evening before we start the return journey to Bruges tomorrow.