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"...We're at the main station. Train to Florence leaves in 20 minutes!"
11am. Waiting on a comfy chair in my hotel foyer and a message comes through from Robyn!
So. Hightailed it. Running like the wind! And arrived in plenty of time. Robyn's smiling face! And Mikes chesty cough! Poor Mike! Always trouble while traveling! But was fabulous to see them both!
Ticket on the Fast Train bought in an instant and on board we hopped: greeted by another hot Attendant! Sartorial elegant again! Some little bags with delicious slice and sweets, water and moist towelettes (very important). And fresh coffee: compliments of the service! I'll be expecting same from Metro when back! LOL.
Florence in 1.5 hours at an average of 250km an hour! Smooth and so many little Tuscan Villages passed on the way! Sweet hilltop terracotta roofs nestled besides wineries!
And! Then. To arrive: a small obscure doorway lead to another thoroughly modern lift to 3rd floor to Nadine and Adaline to greet us at our very very retro and eccentric but gawdy gorgeous rooms at Hotel Berna! 3 Stars. But 5 stars for glitz n glamorous kitch! The golden rimmed rope round mirror, the blue nuns painting or the Basilica image above my bed! All the better to obey and provide! Love this place. Around the corner from train station but within 3 minutes of everything! Take note! The place to be!
Robyn, Mike and I then wandered slowly through Florences quirky and UNESCO registered laneways to find the perfect place for a bottle of Chianti (local) and 2 antipasto boards, white Tuscan beans, fresh tomatoes and olives! A leisurely 2 hour late lunch ensued when I needed to dash...slowly and meet Peter, who had caught the 10 hour train from Vienna, to meet me for our 20th Anniversary catch up! Wow! Was amazing to see him again! And! There too was Mr. Sami Lambe: ready, as always, to be a bad girl!
We found a place in one of the Piazzas for a drink (to use the loo) then walked past and over the famous domes and bridges (see blog pics) and ended up surrounded by hot young Italian waiters wanting to feed us more fresh huge and tantalising Pizzas and Aperol Spritz! No matter how much you eat and drink here it all ends up being only €20 each!!!! Bargain and so bloody fresh and fantastic!
Amazing Gelato afterwards and another Spritz in another Piatzza! (Spelling?)!
It's absolutely amazing again!
Italy far exceeds any expectations and we've only just begun!
It is truly a foodies paradise. Accommodation is such amazing value! Food is fresh and people are gems!
Loving it!
- comments
Mum & Dad (Dad this time !!) Hi Troy So envious of you at the moment-- Looks and sounds fantastic !! Say Gidday to Sami and the others for us!! Great to know you are feeling much better Say hello to the POPE for me if you see him around the town !! Love us XXX