Mar 29 2013

10 Cheap Eats in Florence

Published by under Florence

10 Cheap Eats in Florence

10 Cheap Eats in Florence

Since Florence is one of my favorite cities, I spend a lot of time there. And when it's time to eat it's good to know a place where you can eat well and not spend a lot of money.

Here's a great list of 10 Cheap Eats in Florence

Some of these are old favorites of mine and some I haven't tried yet.

I would definitely second the suggestion for Il Teatro del Sale. Amazing food and a unique experience. It is great value for the money.

And here's another list of cheap and traditional places to eat in Florence. Some are the same as in the link above.


Photo courtesy Richard, enjoy my life! on Flickr

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Mar 20 2013

Collectible Illy Espresso Cups

Published by under Italian Collectibles

Collectible Illy Espresso Cups

 

This espresso brought to you in a cup designed by Pedro Almodovar.

If you go to Italy and want to have a good cup of coffee, you won't have any trouble since there is good coffee everywhere. But if you want the best, and there is more than one coffee bar in the vicinity, then choose Illy. It is just that little bit better that makes the difference.

They also put out espresso cups in collectible limited editions which have fervent collectors. eBay is the place to find a great set.

illy Espresso Art Cups Pair from Original 1992 Series in Excellent Condition
illy Espresso Art Cups Pair from Original 1992 Series in Excellent Condition
$49.00
Time Remaining: 1h 39m

Illy Collection 2004 Padraig Timoney Pen Test Espresso Cups and Saucers
Illy Collection 2004 Padraig Timoney Pen Test Espresso Cups and Saucers
$250.00
Time Remaining: 3h 48m
Buy It Now for only: $250.00

Illy Rufus Willis Espresso Cups And Saucers
Illy Rufus Willis Espresso Cups And Saucers
$79.99
Time Remaining: 5h 33m

ILLY Collection 1999 Zebra Espresso Cups by Roberta Pietrobelli Special
ILLY Collection 1999 Zebra Espresso Cups by Roberta Pietrobelli Special
$199.00
Time Remaining: 7h 18m
Buy It Now for only: $199.00

Very Rare Illy Celestino Lego Cup Complete 400 Sets Only
Very Rare Illy Celestino Lego Cup Complete 400 Sets Only
$450.00
Time Remaining: 18h 4m
Buy It Now for only: $450.00

Set Of 10 Illy Espresso Cups Made In Italy Perfect and Stunning Deluxe and Cute
Set Of 10 Illy Espresso Cups Made In Italy Perfect and Stunning Deluxe and Cute
$129.99
Time Remaining: 19h 43m
Buy It Now for only: $129.99

SET of 8 ILLY Cappuccino Espresso COFFEE CUPS  SAUCERS GREAT Cond
SET of 8 ILLY Cappuccino Espresso COFFEE CUPS SAUCERS GREAT Cond
$38.99
Time Remaining: 1d 3h 35m
Buy It Now for only: $50.99

illy Art Collection 1998 LOS NINOS Cambiaremos espresso cups saucers with coffee
illy Art Collection 1998 LOS NINOS Cambiaremos espresso cups saucers with coffee
$99.00
Time Remaining: 1d 4h 42m

2001 illy Collection Cup Saucer Signed And Numbered set World Trade Center
2001 illy Collection Cup Saucer Signed And Numbered set World Trade Center
$99.00
Time Remaining: 1d 4h 43m

illy 100 Paper Logo Miniature Espresso Coffee 4oz Sample Solo Cups
illy 100 Paper Logo Miniature Espresso Coffee 4oz Sample Solo Cups
$6.98
Time Remaining: 1d 5h 27m
Buy It Now for only: $9.49

illy collection Live Happilly 2 Mug cups + can ground coffee 250 gr Original box
illy collection Live Happilly 2 Mug cups + can ground coffee 250 gr Original box
$55.00
Time Remaining: 1d 8h 40m
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Illy Art Collection PEDRO ALMODOVAR  FRANCESCO CLEMENTE Two Espresso Cups
Illy Art Collection PEDRO ALMODOVAR FRANCESCO CLEMENTE Two Espresso Cups
$69.00
Time Remaining: 1d 12h 56m
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illy espresso cups
illy espresso cups
$41.00
Time Remaining: 2d 4h 5m
Buy It Now for only: $60.00

Collectors illy espresso cup Julian Schnabels 2005 Chuck surfer WEDNESDAY
Collectors illy espresso cup Julian Schnabels 2005 Chuck surfer WEDNESDAY
$17.50
Time Remaining: 2d 11h 51m
Buy It Now for only: $35.00

Collectors illy espresso cup Julian Schnabels 2005 Chuck surfer TUESDAY
Collectors illy espresso cup Julian Schnabels 2005 Chuck surfer TUESDAY
$17.50
Time Remaining: 2d 11h 52m
Buy It Now for only: $35.00

illy collection SPIRIT CUP Marina Abramovich 2002 Limited Edition Cup no 627
illy collection SPIRIT CUP Marina Abramovich 2002 Limited Edition Cup no 627
$590.00
Time Remaining: 2d 12h 48m
Buy It Now for only: $590.00

RARE Set of 2 Richard Ginori for Illy collection cups
RARE Set of 2 Richard Ginori for Illy collection cups
$28.00 (1 Bid)
Time Remaining: 2d 19h 18m

EXTRA SUPER RARE ILLY SPACE ALIEN DOUBLE HANDLE CUP BLUE NEW UNUSED BRIGHT
EXTRA SUPER RARE ILLY SPACE ALIEN DOUBLE HANDLE CUP BLUE NEW UNUSED BRIGHT
$77.77 (1 Bid)
Time Remaining: 2d 21h 28m

ILLY ESPRESSO CUP AND SAUCER green coffee beans on white cup
ILLY ESPRESSO CUP AND SAUCER green coffee beans on white cup
$19.99
Time Remaining: 3d 1h 45m

ILLY ESPRESSO CUPS SPIRALI by ROBERTA PIETROBELLI HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE AND RARE
ILLY ESPRESSO CUPS SPIRALI by ROBERTA PIETROBELLI HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE AND RARE
$450.00
Time Remaining: 3d 4h 2m
Buy It Now for only: $450.00

illy Collection Richard Ginori 1994 Coffee Cup Espresso Italy Faces Replacement
illy Collection Richard Ginori 1994 Coffee Cup Espresso Italy Faces Replacement
$29.99
Time Remaining: 3d 10h 25m
Buy It Now for only: $29.99

Illy Art Collection CORSO COMO Cafe 1 Espresso  1 Cappucino Cup  Saucers
Illy Art Collection CORSO COMO Cafe 1 Espresso 1 Cappucino Cup Saucers
$59.00
Time Remaining: 3d 12h 59m
Buy It Now for only: $79.00

Illy Art Collection MAURICIO CARGNELLI Bienalle di Venezia 2005 Two Cups
Illy Art Collection MAURICIO CARGNELLI Bienalle di Venezia 2005 Two Cups
$49.00
Time Remaining: 3d 13h 5m
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Illy Art Collection PEDRO ALMODOVAR  FRANCESCO CLEMENTE Two Espresso Cups
Illy Art Collection PEDRO ALMODOVAR FRANCESCO CLEMENTE Two Espresso Cups
$59.00
Time Remaining: 3d 13h 6m
Buy It Now for only: $79.00

Illy Art Collection LIVE HAPPILLY Two Espresso Cups  Saucers
Illy Art Collection LIVE HAPPILLY Two Espresso Cups Saucers
$59.00
Time Remaining: 3d 13h 7m
Buy It Now for only: $79.00

Illy Art Collection CORSO COMO Cafe Two Cappucino Cups  Saucers
Illy Art Collection CORSO COMO Cafe Two Cappucino Cups Saucers
$49.00
Time Remaining: 3d 13h 11m
Buy It Now for only: $79.00

ILLY  ARTIST SERIES 1994 Ginori Andrea MANETTI Set 2 Cup Saucer 16920  18203
ILLY ARTIST SERIES 1994 Ginori Andrea MANETTI Set 2 Cup Saucer 16920 18203
$49.99
Time Remaining: 3d 17h 36m

3 ESPRESSO CUPS ILLY COLLECTION WORLD CUP 1998 ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG
3 ESPRESSO CUPS ILLY COLLECTION WORLD CUP 1998 ROBERT RAUSCHENBERG
$159.99
Time Remaining: 3d 19h 50m

Illy 2003 Bonami 50th Biennale Sogni e Conflitti Espresso Bar Cup Blue  Orange
Illy 2003 Bonami 50th Biennale Sogni e Conflitti Espresso Bar Cup Blue Orange
$24.99
Time Remaining: 4d 6m
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illy espresso cups PENCK
illy espresso cups PENCK
$31.00 (8 Bids)
Time Remaining: 4d 2h 36m
Buy It Now for only: $250.00



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Jan 27 2013

Interesting House

Published by under Uncategorized

Il Meteo Parabita
Here is an interesting house.

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Dec 06 2011

First Impressions of Rome

Published by under Itineraries

First Impressions of Rome - An Introductory Itinerary of Rome

In a city like Rome you almost don't know where to start when it comes to exploring. But I was looking in an old guidebook from 1911 and here is their recommendation:

To get a good idea of Rome and its topographical situation, take a carriage and drive for three hours through the principal streets; more can be learned in this way than in any other.

Start from the Piazza di Spagna; drive down the Via Babuino to the Piazza del Popolo, up to the Pincio, for a view of Rome, looking west; then along the Via Sistina, up the Quattro Fontane, to the right, down the Via Quirinale; stop in the square for the view. Proceeding to the Via Nazionale, turn up it to the left as far as the Quattro Fontane; then turn to the right past S. Maria Maggiore direct to the Lateran, from the front of which see the view eastwards; then follow the Via S. Giovanni down to the Colosseum, passing by the most perfect part. Turn left, then, first turning on the right, through the Arch of Titus past the left hand side of the Forum up to the Capitoline Hill, crossing which, proceed down to the Piazza del Gesu; turn left, following the line of streets to the Ponte Sisto; crossing this, proceed up the Via Garibaldi to S. Peter in Montorio. Grand view of Rome and the Campagna, looking north, east, and south.

Return to the foot of the hill; turn to the left down the Lungara to S. Peter's; drive round the square; then down the Borgo Nuovo to the Castle of S. Angelo. Crossing the bridge, take the Via Coronari to the Circo Agonale; then on to the Pantheon, and by the Minerva to the Piazza di Venezia; thence up the Corso as far as the Via Condotti, up which street you return to the Piazza di Spagna, after having thus made the most interesting drive in the world.
Now in the very first sentence we already run into a problem with "drive down the..". You would not find it possible to do that in present day Rome I think. Many of the areas are closed to vehicular traffic. And the streets where vehicles are permitted would be so congested that you would have all your attention focused on the traffic instead of the sites. So that is out. But walking is certainly possible.

You will need good shoes. Whenever I am in Rome I find myself walking and walking and can't stop myself even thought my feed are tired. It is so fascinating that you just have to see what is around the next corner.

I tried to plot this route on a map. Not being in Rome made it a bit difficult as some things are left to the imagination in the itinerary above. And it may be too long for practical purposes and would have to be broken up.


View First Impressions of Rome in a larger map

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Feb 03 2010

Driving in Italy – Clear Explanations for Foreigners

Published by under Italy Travel

Just found this great 11-Part series that clearly explains a lot about the practicalities of driving a car in Italy for foreigners. I found it really helpful - have not seen anything better really.

Part 1 - Overview

Part 2 - You and the Autostrada

Part 3 - Understanding the Signage on the Autostrada

Part 4 - Autostrada Rest Areas

Part 5 - Paying Tolls on the Autostrada

Part 6 - Buying Gas for Your Car

Part 7 - What to do about Paying Driving Fines

Part 8 - How to Avoid Getting Fined

Part 9 - Understanding Italian Road Signs - Part 1

Part 10 - Understanding Italian Road Signs - Part 2

Part 11 - Parking

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Jan 22 2010

Free Fashion and Art Tours in Florence

Published by under Florence

Florence Scene with Ponte Vecchio

Florence Scene with Ponte Vecchio

Free Fashion and Art Tours in Florence

YES! The city of Florence has begun offering free fashion/art tours of Florence. It seems the majority of the tours visit a couple of fashion ateliers and a museum or church (full of artworks). Anyone who plans to be in Florence between now and June 21, 2010 should check out this website and make a reservation for one or more of the tours.

Here is the link to the website homepage. Click on the link on the lower right that says "Fashion Itineraries".

Fashion in Florence: Art and Craftsmanship

Do leave your comments if you take one of these tours. I'd love to hear your experiences.

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Jan 14 2010

Save Money on Smartphone Charges When Traveling in Italy

Save Money on Smartphone Charges when Traveling in Italy

When we travel to Italy (or other foreign countries) we like to spend money on dining, shopping, sightseeing and other fun stuff.  But since we are now so conditioned to be on our smartphones so often, it would be easy to rack up quite a hefty bill.

Here is a great explanation of how to keep your mobile charges at a minimum from the New York Times:

Cheap Mobile Calls Overseas

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Jan 08 2010

Authentic Italian Cooking Lesson Videos

Authentic Italian Cooking Lesson Videos

This is a great find - lots of quick videos on how to prepare great Italian food. The recipes are not complicated and, with few exceptions, can be prepared with ingredients that can be found easily outside of Italy. It seems like lately popular cookbooks and magazines call for a lot of hard to find and expensive ingredients but this website is different. They seldom call for ingredients I can't find even in my small town in the middle of nowhere.

Italian Cooking Lesson Videos

After you click on the link above, wait a couple of seconds and the most current video will start. On the right are other recipes to choose from. Lots that look simple and delicious.

I think you will like them. You comments welcome.

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Dec 23 2009

Grow Italian Vegetables and Eat Well

Published by under Italian Food

Grow Italian Vegetables and Eat Well

Italian Vegetable Seed Packets

Italian Vegetable Seed Packets

Do you like good tasty vegetables? I do, and I like growing them myself even though I am really a novice gardener. My new seed catalog from Seeds from Italy just came in the mail and it's fun to start planning what to grow for next year. These seeds are the best. Seeds from Italy is a small company that imports the seeds from Italy. Which means that they are not genetically modified as that type of seed is illegal in the EU. The Italians are serious about food so their vegetables have flavor.

Their seeds are for varieties that you will not find in the stores. My biggest success last summer was the Supermarconi. They are so tasty. One of my friends who swore she did not like green beans fell in love with these. Everyone who had them, said they were great. And they are heavy producers too. They practically took over as you can see here. Have to figure out a better way to stake them next year though. I did mention I am a novice at this.

Supermarconi Beans

Supermarconi Beans

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Jul 29 2009

Add Business Cards to your Italy Trip Packing List

It is always nice to have business cards when you are traveling around in Italy. Even if you don't use them normally, it is a nice convenience. They don't really have to be "business" cards. They can just have your name and address on them - calling cards really.

And you can even order 250 from Vista Print.  You just have to pay a modest amount for postage. It works out to be very cost effective.  Just click on the banner below and you will see they have a great selection of attractive designs to choose from.

Get 250 Free Business Cards At VistaPrint.com!

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