Florence is such a wonderful city to just walk around and explore. Much of the city center is closed to car traffic, but watch out for bicycles and mopeds and people looking elsewhere! We were so pleased to stay on the Via dei Calzaiuoli at Hotel Calzaiuoli right in the center of the historic area especially in the evening for the passeggiata (evening stroll). Then
A private estate located in Bridgewater CT was the site of a this past weekend's Garden Conservancy Open Garden Days. I started in the amazing 4000 square foot greenhouse where they are transitioning from the bedding plants to winter plants like poinsettias and cyclamens. There were some true treasures in there. The Greenhouse Complex is the focal point of Maywood and is used to grow
The epicenter of the Renaissance in Florence started a cultural explosion. The Medici family led Europe into the Modern Age in the 15th century and out of the shadow of the Church. There was a passion for art and Florence quickly became the art capitol of the western world. The Medici's were powerful and wealthy bankers and accumulated enormous wealth. Art was first commissioned here
