Author: Frances

Charmed by this little enclave, a typical Florence cityscape, with the corner grocer’s flowers spilling out under the awning to frame the picture. #streetscene #cityscape #florence #italy #iwanttopaintit

And oh the delights that came from this wonderful kitchen and the brilliant Chef Simone Seghezzi. The freshest ingredients, simply prepared = the key to best Northern Italian cuisine, but works for everywhere! #villaTavernaccia #simoneseghezzi

Our lovely, simple table at La Tavernaccia. #villatavernaccia #florence #thebestinitaly #tablesetting #simpleelegance #dinnerparty

The golden glory of zucchini blossoms from the garden of “our” Villa Tavernaccia. A little cheese, a few herbs, a bit of batter, a bit of frying, and boom, hors d’oeurves (though not as photogenic) #zucchiniblossoms #yellow

Inside the Farmacia della Santa Maria Novella, the oldest in the world, and the most aromatic. #santamarianovella #florence

Candles burning in the Cathedral of Florence. #duomo #cathedralofflorence #florence #candles

The gorgepus silk porteres of the Palazzo Gondi woven with their coat of arms. The family dates to the 8th century. #coatofarms #greenandred #portere #palazzogondi #florence

After Five flights of stairs we arrive at the rooftop terrace of Palazzo Gondi, to be greeted by a violinist and this window framing the duomo. A bit to the right is the bell tower of the city hall… And surrounding is the smell of the jasmine adorning the walls. #pinchme #thebestinitaly #simonettabrandolini @simonettabrandolini #roomwithaview #florence #brunaleschisdome #duomo #cathedralinflorence #iwanttopaintit

The courtyard of the 15th century Palazzo Gondi has remained in the family all these years, restored by the current Marchese and Marchesa Gondi, who hosted our small group for dinner last night, as supporters of Friends of Florence. #Friendsofflorence #florence #palazzo #palazzogondi #tuscanelegance #courtyard #fountain

… is where we had dinner tonight. The duomo is in the background, si. See previous post for fuller view. #palazzogondi #justpinchme #florence #friendsofflorence #thebestinitaly #dinnerparty #tablesetting

This beautiful table at the Palazzo Gondi… See next post…

What a glory to be among the first to see the newly restored fresco of Ghirlandaio’s Last Supper, painted 1476. #Ghirlandaio was the teacher of #Michelangelo. The fresco, restored by #friendsofflorence, is part of the church of Badia a Passignano, where also is found the Antinori winery. #lastsupper #badiaapassignano