So, we’ve seen some of the quattrocento palazzos which typified the family rivalries rife in Florence at the time. But what happened next...? For once, artistic licence trumped politics, and aesthetics took centre stage. A stylistic rivalry developed between an ongoing ‘Florentine style’ and one being developed and championed in Rome. How much Florence became … Continue reading Later Florentine palazzos →

The Baroque is not a style with which I am overly familiar. It is, of course, more associated with Rome, where after the sack of 1527 huge swathes of the city required rebuilding, much of which was done in the new style, commissioned by the Vatican from rising stars such as Bernini and Borromini. But … Continue reading Baroque Florence →

Sometimes a bit of lateral thinking helps. It’s really hot here, like 38 degrees in the middle of the day. It’s busy in the historical centre. We’ve seen most of the sights before. Time for a different approach. The plan - get up early, head off before the crowds descend and the heat rises. Leave … Continue reading Post-unification Florence →

Having thrilled at the wonders on display at Palazzo Strozzi yesterday, there was a slight air of trepidation this morning. I had tried to book tickets for the Bargello part of the exhibition some months back, to no avail. Instead I had booked general admission tickets in the hope that I could charm my way … Continue reading Donatello – yes there was a part two! →

I’ve written before, in fact only a few days ago, about the joy of attending an art exhibition. Doing so in Florence is, naturally, extra special. In many ways, wandering around the streets of the city is like being in one massive, uncurated exhibition. Much art looks better and is more impactful in situ, witnessed … Continue reading Donatello – il Rinascimento →

There’s a certain inevitability that today’s walk would follow on from yesterday’s. Having looked at the older towers and palazzos that mark the feuding times of pre-Renaissance Florence, today we stride confidently into the epoch where family pride was marked out by the size of your dynastic palazzo. We see how the various famous, and … Continue reading Quattrocento palazzos →

Anyone who knows me or has read any of my travel posts knows how I feel about Florence. It’s my spiritual home, my favourite place on earth, the place I feel most at ease. I’ve been coming here for forty years and was smitten pretty much from the word go; every visit back deepens my … Continue reading Florence – like coming home →

Our trip to London is my first trip outside Scotland since pre-pandemic times. In many ways it’s as if it never happened - there seem no restrictions and we’re all back crowded into trains and indoor spaces with not a mask in sight. I must say I don’t feel anxious about it (well no more … Continue reading Back at the National Gallery →

I remember once listening to a musician being interviewed on the radio. He was being pressed on his favourite concert, song, etc. His answer was ‘I don’t do beauty contests’. I loved that and often quote it; with all you’ve experienced in life do you really have one concert/album/player that trumps all? Perhaps.. I’ll say … Continue reading ABBA voyage – there was something in the air that night… →

I am indebted to a friend who gave me a book to read before our cruise - ‘This Thing of Darkness’ by Harry Thompson tells the stories of Captain Fitzroy and Charles Darwin as they navigate and chart Tierra Del Fuego in the 1830s. It set the tone beautifully for our visit to the region … Continue reading Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel →