Tuesday, Oct 28 Day 1
Our home for two weeks, Il Colle
We are picked up at Florence airport, mid afternoon by Giovanni, our handsome Italian driver.
Soup and snacks were waiting for us at Il Colle
Unpack, relax! Sleep………
Wednesday, Oct 29 Day 2
Nora
Visited Nora’s Cashmere Goat Farm. We got a little bit lost and Myrna got a little bit carsick, but she recovered in time to enjoy the shop. Nora gave us a fascinating tour and a talk for a few hours.
Lunch at Le Panzenelle (in the village of Lucarelli, near Radda)
After lunch, we visited Montefioralle and Greve.
Thursday Oct 30 Day 3
Our first group photo!
Morning: We met Lucca at Piazalle Michealangelo for “Introduction to Firenze” tour
Lunch at Bordino on Via Stratciatella
Afternoon: Marcie, Margo, Myrna and Marcia went to SMN Farmacia and a leather/paper workshop, Evy and Estelle walked in Boboli gardens and explored the Pitti palace, Temma was on her own. Long walk to meet Giovanni at Piazza Beccheria, everyone was very tired.
Friday Oct 31 Day 4
Eating lunch at Ruth’s in Florence
Morning: San Ambrogia market in Florence to buy two kosher chickens, lunch at Ruth’s kosher restaurant where we were joined by Andreas and Elettra. Tour of Jewish Synagogue, then Lucca showed us the site of the original synagogue in Florence as well as the temporary one that was used during the construction of the current synagogue. Gelato (of course) then we met Giovanni near the National Library.
Shabbat dinner at home.
Saturday Nov 1 Day 5:
Making sachets with dried herbs and flowers
Visit to Paterno where Cristina lives. She made us an incredible lunch that we ate outside at a long table with her relatives. After lunch, we made sachets with lavender and other herbs from her garden
Sunday Nov 2 Day 6
We spend a beautiful sunny day in the open air antique market of Arezzo
Monday Nov 3 Day 7
Florence: Visit and tour of Il Bisonte print laboratory and school, a chocolate shop (with no chocolate, believe it or not), Lunch at Sabatino’s, visit and special tour of old Jewish cemetery, lead by Sara.
After dinner, a collage making group formed at the dining room table
Tuesday Nov 4 Day 8
Estelle rolling pasta dough
Morning: Because Figline open-air market was cancelled, we went to The Outlet Mall. After we went to the Coop for groceries.
Pasta making class and dinner at Diana and Luciano’s followed by spontaneous music!
Wed Nov 5 Day 9
Proud class poses with Malo, our teacher
The weather changed to rain!
Morning: Prato textile museum followed by shopping in Prato.
Afternoon: Basket making class with Malo
Lemon chicken and veggies for dinner
Thursday Nov 6 Day 10
David’s tush
Florence: Centrale Market, San Lorenzo Market, our scarf man is Guiliano
Then some of the group explored Florence on their own while others visited Susan Nevelson.
We meet Luca for a tour of the Uffizi, followed by a visit to admire the David, then we met Cristina in a bar and everyone tried on Temma’s new hat.
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Friday Nov 7 Day 11
view from the woman’s gallery in the synagogue
Day trip to Siena: Tour with focus on Jewish community, dinner at Elettra and Andreas’s home. Myrna made challahs and her famous crème caramel.
Saturday Nov 8 Day 12-
donkey eyes at the figline autumn festival
Figline Valdarno: Autumn fair – food products, animals, music, handmade articles and clothing. DiDinner in San Polo at La Paglietta
Dinner in San Polo
Sunday Nov 9 Day 13
Our italian driver is also a chef!
Activities at home, Myrna and Marcie go to Panzano
We host a dinner party for 14- Bistece prepared by Giovanni
Monday Nov 10 Day 14-
Trip to Lucca, Marcie and Margo stay home, Lots of rain!
Tuesday Nov 11 Day 15
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Airports goodbyes to Estelle and Margo, Temma waits for Paul. Myrna, Marcia and Evy delivered to their B and B in Florence.
We enjoy special coffees, designed for us by Giovanni and produced by the barista at the airport bar.
It is hard to say goodbye.