Tag: travel

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.

Can you resist a peek?

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Nosy, moi? If a gate is open surely it invites little peeks.


Especially if there’s a garden inside.

Of course some people are innately inquisitive!

And some just wonder if it’s worth climbing to the top of the hill.

If there’s a cafe opportunity, I like a peek before I decide.

It’s imperative to know what’s beneath the castle wall.

and even little ducks have to take a peek before they go under the bridge.

Have you joined this weeks photo challenge yet? In case you haven’t guessed, the theme is peek!

A Medieval Setting

Posted on Posted in Photography, Travel, UncategorizedTagged , , , 13 Comments

If you’re a fan of the video game, Assasin’s Creed, then you may like to visit Monteriggioni, in Tuscany. It’s one of the loveliest of Tuscan medieval hilltop villages, and it’s also been the location for several films, because of it’s authenticity. The village has a circular wall around 570 metres long and was a strategic fortification between Siena and Florence in the middle ages, built by the Sienese in their wars with Florence.

All is peaceful now though.

The pilgrimage route of St Francis passes through on it’s way to Assisi.

and there are lots of rustic sights like this beautiful old door.

and an ancient lintel with a heavy load to bear.

Here’s a photo for you Jude!

One of the towers

a village street

There are two ancient gates to the fort, Porto  Romano to the south, and this I believe is Porto Fiorentia to the north.

I hope you like this pretty little place, can you imagine Russel Crowe striding through the streets? I’d be quite happy to bump into him.