Fife Chamber hosts Familiarization Trip to Italy
Fife Chamber Strikes again as they take us on
another adventure to places Unknown!
Thank you to the Flannigan Family
for continuing to mix business, global learning and friendship.
Unknown? Have I lost my mind already? I have been
here many times, but NOT with these friends and professional associates. Cannot
wait to start off.... I packed a small carry on for the two weeks to show
myself, I don't need to cart around a big pile of clothing. Worse thing is: I
will not leave my electronics behind....AND I have to carry them in my hand
anyway.
This time the blog will be written as a trip
report, therefore, slide through what you have seen and read and go to the
bottom for the updates...
October 27, 2015 - November 8, 2015
Exactly where we are heading will take a bit to
figure out. We are flying from Seattle to Amsterdam to Florence......then we
strike off via ? heading exactly to ?. I know there are around 20 of us from
The Chamber and environs. Many of us have traveled together before with Fife
Chamber and amongst ourselves. Everything feels comfortable and less
stressful. Someone is in charge and It aint me!!!!! YAY!!!!!
But then again, as we head off to an adventure, we
always have a little "pull" toward home. so overtime when you
see this photo, sent to me this morning, know we are thinking of home and
the Great Northwest! I will just tuck it in somewhere..mixed in with the fun
and food and travel comments. Keeping grounded you know!
Wednesday, October 28, 2015 More Flying and Finally Italy
Thank you Delta Airlines for a comfortable 10 hour flight to Amsterdam. A quick hello to Iceland as we passed over.
So here is it Amsterdam….city of differences, gray days, dark clothes and drugs. Beautiful and full of global citizens who think nothing of hopping a train and going to another city, country or continent.
With a strong Asian influence, the small canals assist in water travel silent continuous movement from place to place within the city. The photo below was taken in July when we were there. Today we are only transit and have no time for enjoying the city and it’s offerings.
Here we are tromping through the airport trying to find our KLM Gate B 32 as far away as possible.
Quick through Immigration and headed to KLM flight onward to Florence. Now we only have about 2 hours to Florence, Italy and the true beginning of the trip.
I think most of us slept these last two hours so we arrived drugged and staggering. We were met by our host and transported 30 minutes to the darling town of Montecatini which will be our home for the next seven days...
Once you arrive in a country, your excitement should be bubbling, all we could do was drag ourselves and our luggage to the transport.
However soon, we arrive in Montecatini and are ready to check in and take a walking tour of this delightful iittle ancient spa town and our darling hotel; Hotel Plaza Montecatini
The white curtains in the middle window we think is our room. Lora Butterfield, President, CEO of the Fife Chamber and I are sharing a lovely lovely room, spacious, and of course with a terrific view of the city Plaza.
Once we have dumped our luggage we headed out on the familiarization walk of the town. I think we walked by each of the beautiful old spa buildings and the marvelous parks that are in the center of the town.....Truthfully we were so tired, we were happy to have had a good walk after all the time on the airplane.
Thursday, October 29, 2015 Florence
This is always a tough morning as most of the travelers have not had enough sleep, missed the wake up call and finally are a bit grouchy.
As we went out of our hotel, we realized it was raining heartily. Montecatini is called the Valley of the Fog or Cloud and this morning we all agreed.
We headed directly into Florence with the morning traffic up into the hills to get a great overview of the city.
This DAVID sculptured by Michelangelo is a copy of the real one down in Florence at the Academia. He is even at the entrance to Florence City Hall. Ever beautiful.
We then entered the old city and walked to the Bapistry, Duomo, and otherwise known asThe Basilica of St Mary of the Flower. White, green and gray marble enhanced the beauty of these buildings.
We all stood around gawking at the beautiful buildings..
Then we headed toward the Uffizi Palace/Museum and the Arno River to cross the river at the Ponte Vecchio otherwise known as "Jewelers Bridge". and walk to our luncheon at the Osteria Santo Spirito.
Once over the bridge we walked to our luncheon at the Osteria Santo Spirito. Tiny restaurant, upstairs, 10 people, three giant plates of pasta to be shared by all, then three giant plates of chicken and mixed grill and finally three giant salads. Four bottles of wine and four bottles of water. Ended up just about $30 per person. Marvelous. Thanks PK McLean for remembering this delightful little hideaway.
We then entered the old city and walked to the Bapistry, Duomo, and otherwise known asThe Basilica of St Mary of the Flower. White, green and gray marble enhanced the beauty of these buildings.
We all stood around gawking at the beautiful buildings..
Then we headed toward the Uffizi Palace/Museum and the Arno River to cross the river at the Ponte Vecchio otherwise known as "Jewelers Bridge". and walk to our luncheon at the Osteria Santo Spirito.
After that delightful long and leisurely luncheon, which by the way cost us no calories as we had already walked 10400 steps we all went our separate ways, shopping, museums, more and more walking. We two old ones Grandpa Flannigan and I went back to the Church of the Santa Croce to visit the burial sites of Michelangelo and Dante'.
Vestry
Michelangelo
Dante
Friday, October 30, 2015 Siena
Ah, the sleep of the dead make for clear thinking and good planning, FINALLY. Great night's sleep and ready for Siena....horse racing capital of Italy.....
Today we were in a place you all really might like: CINQUE TERRE...
.Five or more little hill towns hanging over the Mediterranean Ocean. We drove through La Spezia to the first town, then took a train to the second town Vernazza and finally another train to the last town Monterosso, the largest of the little towns. Easy walking/strolling, up little hills and down little hills, stopping for a glass of wine, eating fabulous seafood with pasta and enjoying the sea.
A place to sit and watch people coming down from the BIG hike over from the other little towns. Five of our group did the hike successfully. NOT ME!!! Just looking at the photos made me want to take a nap!
St Peter's Crypt
St Peter's
Colosseum
Another great lunch with Zuppe
The greatest building of all
The Pantheon
The ancient and lovely town of Siena is about 2 hours of good driving away from us. I was thinking if we were driving how would we feel going from town to town. I think it would be just fine. A good navigator, a good driver and a calm nature....slam dunk. WE walked 13.000 steps today up and down hill in this lovely town, we saw the ancient 1200 th century buildings, Duomo, and the El Campo home of the Palio race horses that only run two times a year but takes a year of planning.
The hill towns of the Chianti region....
PK and Vicky are resting before we even begin the 12000 steps for today. We have arrived in Siena and are beginning our grand walk.....
The famous El Campo
Pizza Pizza Pizza
Duomo of Siena
Largest cathedral in the world in the 1200's for two years until Florence superseded them.
Saturday, October 31, 2015 Happy Halloween!!!!!
This morning we left for the
Tuscan Hills and the town of San Gimignano and the Chianti Wine Region. What a
wonderful drive through the wine fields and around all the villas...You will
love the photos....San Gimignano is a terrific little town well worth our visit
and the winery was delightful..A medieval church covered in frescos was a
wonderful vision...we could have stayed for hours. So beautiful.
Kevin and Katie
Mike Lora
Tonight we rode the funiucular about 10 minutes up
to a mountain top town called Montecatini Alto. We took the 7:30 funicular up
and the 10:00 down. There we walked into to this medieval tiny town with
excellent restaurants. Our recommendation was EL Tovvor. The food excellent the
service lacking! It was like being in France when they decide we don’t get a
check!!!!
GO HAWKS....wont show up until 10:25pm tonight and we have to listen to it not see it!!! GIVE US A WIN!!!!
Chianti vinyards
A little expresso to start the day!
Let's get more Boar!!!
Our visit to the Chianti vineyard winery!!!
And a small summary of our tasters!!
Vicky
Roger and Denise
And a small summary of our tasters!!
Vicky
Roger and Denise
Mike Lora
The beautiful Countryside
Sunday, November 1, 2015 Cinque Terre
GO HAWKS....wont show up until 10:25pm tonight and we have to listen to it not see it!!! GIVE US A WIN!!!!
Today we were in a place you all really might like: CINQUE TERRE...
.Five or more little hill towns hanging over the Mediterranean Ocean. We drove through La Spezia to the first town, then took a train to the second town Vernazza and finally another train to the last town Monterosso, the largest of the little towns. Easy walking/strolling, up little hills and down little hills, stopping for a glass of wine, eating fabulous seafood with pasta and enjoying the sea.
A place to sit and watch people coming down from the BIG hike over from the other little towns. Five of our group did the hike successfully. NOT ME!!! Just looking at the photos made me want to take a nap!
We think that is our Kevin Hayden down swimming with his
beautiful new beach towel!!!
A WIN!!!!! No matter how....A WIN!!!
Monday, November 2, 2015 Pisa, Lucca
Wow what a depressing game again....But the important thing is we won! Announced at breakfast today as the closing seconds of the game came somewhere around 4am this morning here.
Most of the group are off to Pisa. Some of us stayed here as we have been often and as you know once a tower starts leaning there is nothing you can do about it!
We head off for Lucca at 12:30 to join the group and continue on.....
Lucca like Siena, perfect little ancient villages, loads of shops, quaint little cafe's, beautiful churches from 1200's and most interesting peoples.
Looking below, you can see that our heads were still on a SeaHawks win!!!
We are on an up and at em today. We have to be at the Vatican by 7:15am where we meet our guide for all things Pope!
Today is our real day for exploring Rome and hitting the high spots, Colosseum, ForumCampo de Fioria, Piazza Navrone, Pantheon, and the never ending churches....all of which has at least one marvelous painting by someone famous.
We were at the Vatican at 7:15 this morning complaining and saying we were freezing even though there was a great cappuccino shop right where the taxi left us. We enjoyed a coffee and then beat all the crowds as we began the marvelous, moving, glorious and most amazing tour of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, then the magnificent St Peter's. We have wonderful photos and great memories.
Lucca like Siena, perfect little ancient villages, loads of shops, quaint little cafe's, beautiful churches from 1200's and most interesting peoples.
Looking below, you can see that our heads were still on a SeaHawks win!!!
Mary, Katie and Sue
Lynne and Kevin
PK taking a rest
Some folks just cannot help themselves...we are all resting in Lucca!
The former amphitheater now upscale housing
Tuesday, November 3, 2015, Special Event: Volterra
Today, Fife Chamber took us on a special trip to a darling town, Volterra. One of their members, Mary McGonigal had been there before and acted as our Team Leader. Great Work Mary!!!
Another precious ancient walled hill village high up on the top with a vista in every direction of the Tuscan hills and country side. This little visage was famous for it's alabaster and famous Alabastor, Pietro Rosso Fiorentino whom we did have a chance to meet and some to join his support group by purchasing his wares.
We did numerous museums from Etruscan in 2 BC on to an amphitheater about 79 BC by an individual family who wanted to provide entertainment for their village and to show off their wealth.
Now Mary said there were many bats to be had in Volterra, I didn't know for sure but we didn't see any today...lucky for us....however, so that none feels like they missed something I have posted a photo of our Seychelles fruit bat which is about 1.5 feet in length and 3 feet wide. They fly over Victoria, Mahe' all day long picking fruit and dropping the large pits on roofs or on people.
Now Mary said there were many bats to be had in Volterra, I didn't know for sure but we didn't see any today...lucky for us....however, so that none feels like they missed something I have posted a photo of our Seychelles fruit bat which is about 1.5 feet in length and 3 feet wide. They fly over Victoria, Mahe' all day long picking fruit and dropping the large pits on roofs or on people.
Now back to Italy and this lovely mountain top town of Volterr
Well I did make a mistake regarding the bats...In the Etruscan Museum, there was a bat exhibit...a bat man exhibit.
Finally after a beautiful dinner with flaming crisp full pig, and a beautiful menu below....including Turamisu!!!!
Tomorrow our group splits into groups going our separate ways. Here be say our good byes at dinner and look forward to our next gathering.
Wednesday, November 4, Rome, Roma, Romanesque, Romance
Choices abound, take the train, ride the bus, stay with friends, go on your own....so we chose to ride with our friends and Chamber members from Monticatini to Rome. It took about 4 hours however, very useful hours, got one letter written and updated all the expenditures. Mostly wine and food...sounds like me right?
Our precious little hotel, Relais de Fontana Trevi, is right in front of the Trevi Fountain which was unveiled this week after a two or more year cleaning, covered with scaffolding and looking ugly. Lucky us!!!!
Our first Roman lunch!
Denise trying out the truffles
Our two darlings, Kevin and Lynne
Thursday, November 5, 2015 More Rome
Today is our real day for exploring Rome and hitting the high spots, Colosseum, ForumCampo de Fioria, Piazza Navrone, Pantheon, and the never ending churches....all of which has at least one marvelous painting by someone famous.
We were at the Vatican at 7:15 this morning complaining and saying we were freezing even though there was a great cappuccino shop right where the taxi left us. We enjoyed a coffee and then beat all the crowds as we began the marvelous, moving, glorious and most amazing tour of the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel, then the magnificent St Peter's. We have wonderful photos and great memories.
New and Cleaned Trevi Fountain
St Peter's as we head to the Vatican
Michaelangelo's Pieta
Main entry to St Peter's
St Peter's Crypt
The Forum
Another great lunch with Zuppe
The Pantheon
Tonight we decided to wander down our own street and select one of the many cute restaurants....Fish restaurant. Everyone ordered and three of us agreed to order mixed fish grill (6 euros per 100mg). The meal was delicious, the bill was atrocious. I think for we three girls, it was over $200 euros just for that dish! Oh dear....so be careful in ordering by weight...They probably weighed the platter as well.
Another good lesson learned.
Friday, November 6, 2015 More and More Rome
We have found our hang out, we have eaten fabulous pasta, we have eaten cartons of gelato, we have walked miles and miles and we have made major mistakes.....we have stopped at any interesting place that took our fancy.
We have visited Piazza Navona twice and enjoyed a great lunch there.
We wandered through Campo de Fioria (location of University of Washington in Rome AND I have stayed there one year). The market was closing by the time we got there but the wonderful feel was still in the air....
We crossed the river and visited the S Maria Church in Trastevere. It was one of the oldest and loveliest churches we have visited. We had a great lunch in their piazza and were even entertained by a group of musicians.
Lynne and Vicky enjoying lunch
Magnificent church, S Maria
Crossing the Trevere River back to Main Rome
Saturday, November 7, 2015 Last vestiges of Rome
We all leave on Sunday at dawn so today is our last post and last day to enjoy the sights of and feelings of Rome. Much of the group are at the Colosseum. PK and I are the two lazy girls who have been there enough that we don't need it until another time.
