Today was Matteo’s first day at child-care. In Italian it’s called L’Asilo Nido which literally translates as Nursery (Asilo) Nest (Nido).  I don’t know about you but I don’t know of any birds that leave their nest to the care of others or am I wrong?  So as you see, we are already off to […]

Molto Sud della Toscana! / Very South of Tuscany  Last week I was very fortunate to find myself on the gorgeous Island of Ischia, a one hour ferry trip from Naples.  Yes, I know that it’s not quite Tuscany anymore (realised that pretty quickly by the total disrespect for the traffic laws by our fellow […]

In desperate need of rain! It is so hot here and has been for what seems like forever!  I feel like I’m melting each day and feeling more tired than I already am considering Matteo is also still waking a few times each night!  Each day I have serious intentions to write a new post […]

And it’s Recycled! The windows of Louis Vuitton and Gucci are surprisingly empty of clothing and accessories at the moment.  Well  to be correct, clothing and accessories made from fabric and leather.  To highlight the fact that both fashion houses’ packaging and shopper bags are now made from recycled paper, the windows have been merchandised […]

For those of you that love a bit of vintage (and who doesn’t?),  if you visit Florence,  you must visit Desii Vintage & Opportunity, located in Via de’ Conti.  It is actually on the other side of the little piazza from UB, the shop I wrote about last week, so you can really have a […]

European Soccer Championship – Grand Final – Italy v Spain! As I write this, we are watching the European Championships.  In the time it has taken me to download the photos and load them onto the blog, the first half has finished and Italy is down 0-2 to Spain. There are thousands of people outside […]

A shop full of the unexpected actually! Via dei Conti is a hidden gem of a street that you may just walk past if you are in a hurry.  Sandwiched between Via de’ Cerretani (the main street leading from the Santa Maria Novella train station to the Duomo) and Via de’ Zanetti (which takes you […]

Celebrating Florence and her Patron Saint Today is the birthday of Florence’s patron saint, John the Baptist and the anniversary of the founding of Florence.  Normally a public holiday but unfortunately not today seeing as it is a Sunday. A huge parade took place in the historical center earlier today with the usual flag throwers […]

Live like a Local When you travel do you prefer to stay in a hotel or would you rather have a whole apartment at your disposal?    If you really want to experience living like a local in Florence,  then I would have to suggest that you rent an apartment instead of a hotel and […]