We decided to fit in our longest walking day on Monday given the forecast of rain for the rest of the week.  So we visited the massive Pitti Palace, construction of which began in 1457 by someone named Luca Pitti, but a century later when it bankrupted the Pittis it ended up in the hands of the ruling Medicis who made it their official home.  The close up versus the far away picture of Isabelle will give you some perspective on this “home.”

On this trip we spent our time visiting the Galleria Del Costume which Konnie and I had not done before.  As usual, we spent significant time in the eqully overwhelming Boboli Gardens which are lovely and intriguing, even when the flowers are not yet showing their colors.

From there we headed up Mt. Everest (or at least that’s Isabelle’s impression of the hike) to visit San Miniato al Monte.  The walk takes you along narrow medieval streets and city walls dating to 1260 including the home of Galileo.  The church was built in 1018 and with its geometric patterned green-grey and white marble marble facade, is magnificent.

We dropped in to a place called L’Osteria Di Giovanni for dinner.  How lucky were we tonight?  Wonderful food, service and people.  We received more off the menu treats in one evening than we do at our most frequented restaurants in Denver in the long history of our patronizing them.  And not the first time we have had that experience in Italy.  Actually it is the second time on just this trip.  The restauranteurs here are magnificent.  Their service is second to no one.