Exploring the Places No One is Talking About
If you ever get the opportunity to go to Italy take a bus or a train and simply enjoy the beauty of the countryside. Take public transport so that you can take that time to graze out the window and simply enjoy the beauty. These photos are on the way from Rome to Florence at
During our recent down time I have been stocking up on gear. In addition to trekking poles Keltin and I picked up a couple of hammocks from Madera Outdoors. These are the kind meant to sting up and relax in at the park, maybe nap for a bit in the sun with a nice breeze.
No series on Italy would be complete without a discussion of the glorious food. When I was there it was to study and I some how got away with taking a pairing food and wine class. There is nothing better than studying wine in Italy. I don’t remember what all of these wine are but
One of the things that I loved about Florence and Italy in general was the street artists. You can find them by following the music or the laughter. In addition to the performers and musicians there are painters and other artisans selling their work in the piazzas. I spent more money than I want to
Last year before Keltin and I went to Colorado we picked him up a set of trekking poles at REI. Well, I loved them too. That Colorado altitude gets to me when I can really only train at Texas altitude. The trekking poles were really useful at the Great Sand Dunes National Park. I took
When you think about the skyline of Florence, the impressive dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore first comes to mind. The masterpiece of the Italian Renissance, a master of architecture and engineering by Brunelleschi. The magnificent dome is not the only thing to rise above the homes in Florence, so to does
If you are ever in Italy in June make sure to be in Florence when they play the Calcio Storico in front of Santa Croce. The home I stayed in during my study abroad in Florence was less then a block from Piazza Santa Croce and it was with curiosity that my friends and I
The East doors of the Baptistery of San Giovanni were called by Michelangelo, upon their completion, the Gates of Paradise. Ten panels depicting the Old Testament in images laid in gold. Even if you do not go into the Baptistery itself it is difficult not to stop and stare at these magnificent doors and the
On my first or second morning in Florence my home-stay roommate and I climbed the Bell Tower next to Florence Cathedral (Duomo). The 414 steep steps tried to kill me. The view is worth it at the top. The structure is beautiful, white, red, and green marble. Building began in 1334 and was completed in
I can’t do much for others with the current pandemic but I can write and I hope that my words can bring some measure of comfort. On that note, I’ve actually written a short blog post for the outdoor gear company Hiker Hunger to help get us through these turbulent times. If you are curious
McGee Travel Tales 