Category: Travel

Varied Votives

Posted on Posted in Archaeology, Italy, TravelTagged , , , , 8 Comments

One of the places I enjoyed most in Tuscany last year, was Fiesole, somewhere I knew little about until I got there. As well as the amazing Roman theatre, there’s the Civic Archaeological Museum, packed with displays and information about the Etruscan, Roman and Longobard history of the town. I was enthralled by these little votives, especially the dancing satyr, so I’m sharing these variations on the theme of Etruscan bronzes, for this weeks photo challange. I believe they were excavated in the 19th and early 20th century.

Fiesole lies five miles to the north east of Florence,high in the hills and you can catch a frequent bus close to Piazza San Marco.

A Tuscan favourite

Posted on Posted in Italy, Photography, TravelTagged , , , 12 Comments

This week’s photo challenge, set by Ben Huberman is the last for 2017. He asks us to share our favourite photo of the year, but how do you choose one, or even ten?  It doesn’t have to be a technically good image, but meaningful to us in some way. When I started looking through my files for the photo that means most to me this year, I ended up in tears, because it would have to be one of my beloved border terrier Dido, who I lost in May. Whoops here I go again.

Once I picked myself up, I settled on a photo of the Tuscan countryside. This was a place I’d wanted to visit for a while, so finally seeing it meant a lot to me.

If you have a favourite photo to share for the year, join in with Ben

 

Serene Devon

Posted on Posted in Devon, Photography, TravelTagged , , , 12 Comments

If your world is anything like mine, then at this time of the year you may feel ready to flop beside the tv, or relax with a good book. If your world is anything like mine, there’s a good chance that isn’t going to happen!

So how then can we find some tranquility? Well how about enjoying the serene Devon countryside?

Green pastures east of Exeter, for this weeks photo challenge, serene.

Florentine evenings

Posted on Posted in i phoneography, Italy, Photography, TravelTagged , , , 10 Comments

On a warm summer evening what could be nicer than a stroll around Florence? Whether you like to absorb some culture, like Signore Aleghieri Dante’s statue. in Piazza  Santa Croce,

or, find a delicious and authentic meal in the Mercato Centrale.

then you could catch a bus up  to Piazzale Michelangelo, join the crowds and watch the sun go down.

 

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If you’re really lucky there might be a gelatto festival taking place!
Now, if I was going to the Piazzale again,I’d walk back down the hill instead of waiting ages for a bus, that then got caught in a traffic jam, but hey, we live and learn.

Unless you’re staying in the Oltrarno, the Piazza Della Repubblica may be on your way back to your hotel, and it’s a lively place for a little nightcap.


If you get lost in any back alleys,

never worry,


wherever you are the Duomo will always help you to get your bearings.

Traces of the past

Posted on Posted in Italy, Photography, TravelTagged , , , , 29 Comments

I’d more or less abandoned the idea of going to San Gimignano while in Florence, it just seemed we’d be trying to pack too much in to a week. A late change of plan made it possible and The Duomo, Santa Maria Assunta stands out as one of the high points of my visit to Tuscany. The walls are covered with 14th century frescoes of the Old and New Testaments, that are truly stunning. Here you can see a glimpse of fresco and some of the ten round and four octagonal columns.

And the amazing ceiling.
I’m posting for Paula’s Thursday special, she’s be happy to see you if you’d like to join in.