Ciao from Italy (Monica)
May 14th, 2006, 07:32 AM
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Ciao from Italy (Monica)
Hi everyone,
I finally got to an internet and thought I would write a little about my trip. I am mostly enjoying my time so far with the exception that both my ATM cards are not working so I have to figure out how to obtain money. Hopefully Tony will be able to call the banks tomorrow and get things straightened out. The thing is I told all three banks that I would be in Italy so they know I would be using my cards. Well, enough of this.
I arrived in Florence on Thursday, missing my connecting flight in Paris. Why Air France put me on a flight that connected in 50 minutes, I just don't know. I sat at the airport for about 2 hours. Since I lost a little time waiting, I took a taxi to my hotel. I finally felt I was beginning my vacation with the
taxi drive talking to me in Italian and zipping between cars to get me to my hotel. It was a thrilling ride!
My single room at Hotel La Residenza is very nice. The shower stall is very tiny and perfect for a kid, but I'm making do. The hotel has a nice little terrace to enjoy the air and a glass of wine.
Had a nice lunch at caffe Bigallo Enoteca, window shopped (tons of leather goods) at the market area. I was able to purchase a calling card for 5 euros so I've called Tony twice now. It's pretty easy to use. Florence is an exciting city and can be hectic with the traffic and noise.
My meals have been very good so far and after dinner I walk around for a bit. The other night the moon was out over the Ponte Vecchio, so hopefully my night shots will come out well.
On Friday I spent the morning visiting the Pitti Palace and Boboli gardens. I wasn't thrilled with the gardens, as the flowers were not in bloom except for
the rose garden. After lunch, I visited a couple of churches and wandered
through the Oltrano area of Florence.
Yesterday I took the bus to Greve in Chianti for their Saturday market day. Lots of goodies to buy - bought a lovely small purse for 20 euros, which would be 4 times the amount in Florence. Also found a beautiful ring but my credit card didn't work. I was so disappointed because it was 339 euros and one similar at the ponte vecchio (and a little smaller) was going for 680 euros.
After my morning at the market, I walked up to Montefioralle, which is located about 1/2 mile from Greve. It was more of a hike as it was a steep uphill climb. The country side views were beautiful with vineyards in the area. Lunch at La Castellana with a glass of red wine was well deserved after the hike.
Back in Florence I met up with my friend June and her daughter Jill, who had arrived the previous day. We had drinks and wonderful cheese on their private terrace of their hotel room and later had a great dinner at Ristorante Le Fontincine.
Today I took the train to Arezzo. It's been cloudy most of the day and rained for about 10 minutes, but overall, I've had good weather. Enjoyed watching the mass at the Cathedral, as well as the performance with the men with their colorful flags, all in costume. Toured a museum that had copies of Leonardo's works. What an amazing man he was!
This afternoon I visited the S. Croce. Tonight will enjoy dinner at Osteria del Cinghaile Bianco.
More in a few days. Off to Bologna tomorrow for 3 nights. June and Jill will be on my train on their way to Venice.
Ciao!
Monica
I finally got to an internet and thought I would write a little about my trip. I am mostly enjoying my time so far with the exception that both my ATM cards are not working so I have to figure out how to obtain money. Hopefully Tony will be able to call the banks tomorrow and get things straightened out. The thing is I told all three banks that I would be in Italy so they know I would be using my cards. Well, enough of this.
I arrived in Florence on Thursday, missing my connecting flight in Paris. Why Air France put me on a flight that connected in 50 minutes, I just don't know. I sat at the airport for about 2 hours. Since I lost a little time waiting, I took a taxi to my hotel. I finally felt I was beginning my vacation with the
taxi drive talking to me in Italian and zipping between cars to get me to my hotel. It was a thrilling ride!
My single room at Hotel La Residenza is very nice. The shower stall is very tiny and perfect for a kid, but I'm making do. The hotel has a nice little terrace to enjoy the air and a glass of wine.
Had a nice lunch at caffe Bigallo Enoteca, window shopped (tons of leather goods) at the market area. I was able to purchase a calling card for 5 euros so I've called Tony twice now. It's pretty easy to use. Florence is an exciting city and can be hectic with the traffic and noise.
My meals have been very good so far and after dinner I walk around for a bit. The other night the moon was out over the Ponte Vecchio, so hopefully my night shots will come out well.
On Friday I spent the morning visiting the Pitti Palace and Boboli gardens. I wasn't thrilled with the gardens, as the flowers were not in bloom except for
the rose garden. After lunch, I visited a couple of churches and wandered
through the Oltrano area of Florence.
Yesterday I took the bus to Greve in Chianti for their Saturday market day. Lots of goodies to buy - bought a lovely small purse for 20 euros, which would be 4 times the amount in Florence. Also found a beautiful ring but my credit card didn't work. I was so disappointed because it was 339 euros and one similar at the ponte vecchio (and a little smaller) was going for 680 euros.
After my morning at the market, I walked up to Montefioralle, which is located about 1/2 mile from Greve. It was more of a hike as it was a steep uphill climb. The country side views were beautiful with vineyards in the area. Lunch at La Castellana with a glass of red wine was well deserved after the hike.
Back in Florence I met up with my friend June and her daughter Jill, who had arrived the previous day. We had drinks and wonderful cheese on their private terrace of their hotel room and later had a great dinner at Ristorante Le Fontincine.
Today I took the train to Arezzo. It's been cloudy most of the day and rained for about 10 minutes, but overall, I've had good weather. Enjoyed watching the mass at the Cathedral, as well as the performance with the men with their colorful flags, all in costume. Toured a museum that had copies of Leonardo's works. What an amazing man he was!
This afternoon I visited the S. Croce. Tonight will enjoy dinner at Osteria del Cinghaile Bianco.
More in a few days. Off to Bologna tomorrow for 3 nights. June and Jill will be on my train on their way to Venice.
Ciao!
Monica
May 14th, 2006, 07:39 AM
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Sounds like a great trip despite the blips in the beginning. I have learned the hard way to book a long connection time at CDG too (if I ever go through there again).
Sometimes my ATM's and credit cards just don't work either, so I know what you are going through.
Keep us posted! Have a wonderful time!
Sometimes my ATM's and credit cards just don't work either, so I know what you are going through.
Keep us posted! Have a wonderful time!
May 14th, 2006, 07:42 AM
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Monica, I'm curious if your ATM cards are also debit cards. Do they have a VISA symbol on them? If not, they may not work at all in Italy as I learned on my last trip. More and more banks are converting to using VISA international services for their ATM transactions so ATM only cards without a VISA (or Mastercard) connection may not work at all. Hopefully your cards are also debit cards and your bank can work this out.
Sounds like you're having a good time otherwise, now that you finally got there!
Sounds like you're having a good time otherwise, now that you finally got there!
May 14th, 2006, 07:55 AM
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Monica,
What a treat to find your post this morning!! Sorry about all the missteps, but I know it will get better and better...hope you will have the opportunity to post again...I'll be watching!!
Sandy
What a treat to find your post this morning!! Sorry about all the missteps, but I know it will get better and better...hope you will have the opportunity to post again...I'll be watching!!
Sandy
May 14th, 2006, 08:04 AM
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Monica,
So nice of you to post so early in your travels...quite a few bumps in the road.
As my mother used to say "Something good always comes of out something bad." There you go! It's going to get better and better as your trip continues.
Arrivederci!
So nice of you to post so early in your travels...quite a few bumps in the road.
As my mother used to say "Something good always comes of out something bad." There you go! It's going to get better and better as your trip continues.
Arrivederci!
May 14th, 2006, 08:43 AM
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monica,
I doubt that the problem with your card is that they are ATM only. I just got back from Italy last month and my ATM only cards worked in Banca Toocana, Banca Monte Dei Paschi Di Siena, Banca Intesa, Banco di Sicilia, and several others that I can not read on the receipts. It doesn't matter what is on the front of the card but what is on the back. This is where they list the networks your card will work on. The most common is Plus (visa) and Cirrus ( mastercard).
I doubt that the problem with your card is that they are ATM only. I just got back from Italy last month and my ATM only cards worked in Banca Toocana, Banca Monte Dei Paschi Di Siena, Banca Intesa, Banco di Sicilia, and several others that I can not read on the receipts. It doesn't matter what is on the front of the card but what is on the back. This is where they list the networks your card will work on. The most common is Plus (visa) and Cirrus ( mastercard).
May 14th, 2006, 09:23 AM
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Hi Monica,
Glad to hear you are having a wonderful time! May is so beautiful in Italy.
I had problems with my cards too AND they are not just debit cards they have the Visa symbol. As Henry said, it's all a matter of the network! Try some of the city banks as he mentioned. My cards worked at Bank of Naples, Bank of Rome, etc. They did not work at all the handy Bancomat machines! ARGHHHH!
Ciao!
Glad to hear you are having a wonderful time! May is so beautiful in Italy.
I had problems with my cards too AND they are not just debit cards they have the Visa symbol. As Henry said, it's all a matter of the network! Try some of the city banks as he mentioned. My cards worked at Bank of Naples, Bank of Rome, etc. They did not work at all the handy Bancomat machines! ARGHHHH!
Ciao!
May 14th, 2006, 11:33 AM
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Hi Monica
Fun to hear that you went to Montefioralle and ate at La Castellana! On a trip a few years ago we stayed at the most wonderful agriturismo, Podere Torre, up the road from Montefioralle and had a memorable and really fun dinner there. I am visualizing it now, thank you for the memory!
On a trip last year, I also had trouble with my ATM (w/ cc logo) at the first bancomat I stopped at in Venice. Fortunately, it did turn out to just be that one place, and I had no trouble after that. Good luck; hope you get it figured out.
Fun to hear that you went to Montefioralle and ate at La Castellana! On a trip a few years ago we stayed at the most wonderful agriturismo, Podere Torre, up the road from Montefioralle and had a memorable and really fun dinner there. I am visualizing it now, thank you for the memory!
On a trip last year, I also had trouble with my ATM (w/ cc logo) at the first bancomat I stopped at in Venice. Fortunately, it did turn out to just be that one place, and I had no trouble after that. Good luck; hope you get it figured out.
May 15th, 2006, 06:59 AM
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for your comments. To start, I was able to get Bank of America off their ass and fix my credit card (which is also and ATM card, WHICH I have used many times in my European travels). Apparently the woman that said she would block my card never did it. I was able to take out euros last night so I could pay my hotel bill in cash. If I hadn't then it would have been an additional 80 euros! And at 1.30 to the euro...
On Sunday I had a great dinner at Osteria Cinghalie Bianco, where I dined 2 years ago wi th cousin Reenie. I remembered the two owners who flirted with me like the last time. Dinner was exceptional with a starter dish of mixed meats, including wild boar, salami , other types, cheese, and marinate eggplant that was infused in garlic and hot pepper flakes. Then I had the paparadelle pasta with wild boar meat - their specialty. With 1\2 liter of red wine, di n ner came to 26 euros. (pardon this stupid keyboard).
After dinner I called Tony who gave me the b ank information, called them and everything is fixed.
Today I got up at 8am to another perfect day. Temps have been in the mid to high 70s, slightly cool at night where one may need a light sweater. After breakfast at the hotel, I packed and took a taxi to the train station for my 10.30am ride to Bologna. I met June and Jill, who were on the same train. We all had first class seats. I've been splurging a little going first class or taking a taxi. The hell with lugging my luggage down the streets and sweating. Tony start making more money with your projects. I'm ready for business class flights!!
Bologna is beautiful with many porticos and narrow streets. Many of the buildings are in different color hues, or as they say Siena colors. This afternoon was a little more relaxing then usual: unpacked a little (nice hotel - Hotel Paradise)had pizza for lunch, and walked to the main piazza and surrounding areas, including the university quarter. I visited a small church that is under restoration (well, aren't they all?) with fabulous frescos.
Next to my hotel are 3 little restaurants so will have th echance to enjoy them all. Tomorrow will be the big sightseeing day, including a climb up one of the towers (498 steps - may have to go early and go back to the hotel for a shower after the climb). At 3pm I'll go on a 2 hour walking tour that the tourist office conducts. For 13 Euros it's a very good price.
Dinner with two couples tomorrow who I met via Fodors and Slowtalk. Wednesday will be a day trip with one couple to Ravenna.
Well, that's it for now.
Ciao!!
Monica
Thanks for your comments. To start, I was able to get Bank of America off their ass and fix my credit card (which is also and ATM card, WHICH I have used many times in my European travels). Apparently the woman that said she would block my card never did it. I was able to take out euros last night so I could pay my hotel bill in cash. If I hadn't then it would have been an additional 80 euros! And at 1.30 to the euro...
On Sunday I had a great dinner at Osteria Cinghalie Bianco, where I dined 2 years ago wi th cousin Reenie. I remembered the two owners who flirted with me like the last time. Dinner was exceptional with a starter dish of mixed meats, including wild boar, salami , other types, cheese, and marinate eggplant that was infused in garlic and hot pepper flakes. Then I had the paparadelle pasta with wild boar meat - their specialty. With 1\2 liter of red wine, di n ner came to 26 euros. (pardon this stupid keyboard).
After dinner I called Tony who gave me the b ank information, called them and everything is fixed.
Today I got up at 8am to another perfect day. Temps have been in the mid to high 70s, slightly cool at night where one may need a light sweater. After breakfast at the hotel, I packed and took a taxi to the train station for my 10.30am ride to Bologna. I met June and Jill, who were on the same train. We all had first class seats. I've been splurging a little going first class or taking a taxi. The hell with lugging my luggage down the streets and sweating. Tony start making more money with your projects. I'm ready for business class flights!!
Bologna is beautiful with many porticos and narrow streets. Many of the buildings are in different color hues, or as they say Siena colors. This afternoon was a little more relaxing then usual: unpacked a little (nice hotel - Hotel Paradise)had pizza for lunch, and walked to the main piazza and surrounding areas, including the university quarter. I visited a small church that is under restoration (well, aren't they all?) with fabulous frescos.
Next to my hotel are 3 little restaurants so will have th echance to enjoy them all. Tomorrow will be the big sightseeing day, including a climb up one of the towers (498 steps - may have to go early and go back to the hotel for a shower after the climb). At 3pm I'll go on a 2 hour walking tour that the tourist office conducts. For 13 Euros it's a very good price.
Dinner with two couples tomorrow who I met via Fodors and Slowtalk. Wednesday will be a day trip with one couple to Ravenna.
Well, that's it for now.
Ciao!!
Monica
May 16th, 2006, 03:53 AM
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Ciao!
I earned my pasta Bolognese and 1/4 liter of red house wine today fro lunch after my 498 step (YES 498 steps) to the top of the tower. This tower is the highest in all of Italy. I've climbed other towers, including the one in San Gimignano and Florence, but these beats them all. I had to sit for almost 1/2 hour just to cool down. I'm not fond of heights so the climb was a little scary for me. I just didn't look down the well of the tower. The tower next to the one I climbed is much small and no one can climb it, as it tilts quite a bit - maybe more so than the one in Pisa.
Spent the rest of the morning visiting a few churches and also returned to the market area where fresh fish, fruits, vegetables are sold. Fabulous little streets.
Last night's dinner was frustrating. I went to the first restaurant near my hotel, where I was told a private party took up the whole restaurant. Fine, so I made reservations for Wednesday at 8pm. The man said, "no, 7:30pm" and I said I would prefer 8pm. He said if I wanted 8pm I could sit at this table and pointed to this tiny table at the entrance of the entrance, away from the main dining room. No thanks!!! I moved onto the next restaurant where 5 tables were empty. I asked to sit outside and the man stated they were booked. Now, it's only 7.45pm and all the restaurants are pretty much empty at this time. So I walked away. Third restaurant, yes, welcome. I read the menu and started to drool over the "tortellini with gorgonzola; Eggplant Parmesan." When I ordered the first dish, "...we have no tortellini..." This is Bologna!!!!! Everyone has tortellini!!!!!! So I ordered something else. Then I asked for the eggplan Parm. and he says the same thing, "no, we don't have it." I slammed the menu closed, got up and walked out. He said something to me in Italian and I just said, "Strike three." I went back to Il Portico where I had the delicious pizza for lunch and had a wonderful dinner of tortellini with gorgonzola and walnuts followed by a breaded cutlet Milanese style. With 1/2 liter of wine, my meal came to only 22 Euros. I told my waiter that I may return on Wednesday. He gave me a big smile when I entered the restaurant and although already packed iwth people, he made room for me.
While dining, I chatted with a fellow from London who was in town on Business as a translator.
This afternoon I'll take the 2 hour walking tour the tourist office provides.
Tonight is dinner with some travel friends. Tomorrow, off to Ravenna.
Ciao!
Monica
I earned my pasta Bolognese and 1/4 liter of red house wine today fro lunch after my 498 step (YES 498 steps) to the top of the tower. This tower is the highest in all of Italy. I've climbed other towers, including the one in San Gimignano and Florence, but these beats them all. I had to sit for almost 1/2 hour just to cool down. I'm not fond of heights so the climb was a little scary for me. I just didn't look down the well of the tower. The tower next to the one I climbed is much small and no one can climb it, as it tilts quite a bit - maybe more so than the one in Pisa.
Spent the rest of the morning visiting a few churches and also returned to the market area where fresh fish, fruits, vegetables are sold. Fabulous little streets.
Last night's dinner was frustrating. I went to the first restaurant near my hotel, where I was told a private party took up the whole restaurant. Fine, so I made reservations for Wednesday at 8pm. The man said, "no, 7:30pm" and I said I would prefer 8pm. He said if I wanted 8pm I could sit at this table and pointed to this tiny table at the entrance of the entrance, away from the main dining room. No thanks!!! I moved onto the next restaurant where 5 tables were empty. I asked to sit outside and the man stated they were booked. Now, it's only 7.45pm and all the restaurants are pretty much empty at this time. So I walked away. Third restaurant, yes, welcome. I read the menu and started to drool over the "tortellini with gorgonzola; Eggplant Parmesan." When I ordered the first dish, "...we have no tortellini..." This is Bologna!!!!! Everyone has tortellini!!!!!! So I ordered something else. Then I asked for the eggplan Parm. and he says the same thing, "no, we don't have it." I slammed the menu closed, got up and walked out. He said something to me in Italian and I just said, "Strike three." I went back to Il Portico where I had the delicious pizza for lunch and had a wonderful dinner of tortellini with gorgonzola and walnuts followed by a breaded cutlet Milanese style. With 1/2 liter of wine, my meal came to only 22 Euros. I told my waiter that I may return on Wednesday. He gave me a big smile when I entered the restaurant and although already packed iwth people, he made room for me.
While dining, I chatted with a fellow from London who was in town on Business as a translator.
This afternoon I'll take the 2 hour walking tour the tourist office provides.
Tonight is dinner with some travel friends. Tomorrow, off to Ravenna.
Ciao!
Monica
