Tuscany

[liga]

Hi everyone! I found by chance this forum, and I think this is a lovely idea to share pictures and useful information all around the world! Right now I am staying in Italy, in Florence, but originally I am from Latvia - just another state in Eastern Europe. I will eventually create another folder also for Baltic states - but right now I cann't update it cause I am not staying there, although I have a whole bunch of pictures to show you.
Ok, today I add a pic of the heart of Florence - the river Arno and the banks of the cityscape. It was taken from the dam on the river towards the river bank. Hope you like it.

[bixaorellana]

What a beautiful and unexpected view, Liga! You really caught both the new and the old, plus the golden light associated with Tuscany.

Welcome, and thanks for this delightful introduction.

[lagatta]

Yes, that is a beautiful view. I remember walking along there with friends who lived there. He was born there and lived all his life there. She was origially from Califoria. And I don't know where the dog was from. Sadly, male human friend (whom I knew better, a friend of friends) died of a heart attack a couple of years ago. Female human friend is still alive and well. Alas assume dog has gone off to the Rainbow Bridge, as this was 20 years ago.

Florence can be as beautiful as in guidebooks, but parts of it are grimy and noisy, for a not-very-huge city. Guess it is the impact of mass tourism?

[reply and more]

I agree with the comment above, that Florence can be quite a grim place due to the overcrowding in high seasons, but unfortunately it is way more dirty and exploited by the local people - they don't feel any shame to get out of the car and to throw their garbage on the street or in the river, they never pick up after their dogs (so you are forced to look where you put your feet rather than enjoy the wonders of architecture), and many of them haven't even visited tha gallery of Uffizi! Sorry - it looks like a small rant, but sadly I have seen a lot of it in 7 years that I've been here. On the other hand, when you get one of those beautiful sunny days and you hear warm greetings from yhe people you even don't know - the city reveals the unique beauty it posesses.

Soo, to finish on a more enjoyable note, I will add some pics from this weekend. As you see them in order:

1 and 2 and 3 are from the abbey of Valombrosa. It is 30 km out of Florence in direction to Arezzo, it is situated right in the middle of a National Park of Valombrosa. Valombrosa means the Shadow Valley - and it really is - the hills are covered in high fir trees disposed very densely, you can hardly find an open spot. And it was very cold! The abbey is beautiful inside, and they have a small gift shop in the cellars. You can find a lot of hiking trails around the whole area.







Pics 4 and 5 are from Caves of Monsummano near Montecatini. It is the closest climbing area to Florence, 30 minutes ride by car away direction Pistoia. It is perfect for sunny winter days, as it repairs from winds and allows to climb in T-shirt even in february. I took the pics right before leaving, while my boyfriend was doing his last route of the day.

[liga]

oops, sorry, I wrote a comment not being looged in: so I will try to attach the pics I told you about!

[cheerypeabrain]

Absolutely stunning, I have only visited Italy briefly but I loved it...would really like to go back. Gorgeous photographs liga ;D

[nycgirl]

Lovely photos, Liga. I was going to ask if you had photos of Florence to share, you must have read my mind.

Those cliffs are beautiful. Do you go rock-climbing often?

[liga]

Hi Nycgirl!
I have a lot of pictures of Florence if you are interested, I just have to search for them. My favourites are of Florence under the siege of snow - it happens so rarely, but I was lucky to experience that two times! Last year I almost got my flight cancelled, because here the sight of snow creates quite a lot of panic!

About climbing - I try to go out every weekend, but mostly we go around Tuscany climbing sites. Tuscany is not the most blessed region for good rock, but it is enough to keep you busy! Now we are preparing for a major climbing event in may called Melloblocco - but it is in the north of Italy, in Val d'Aosta, once a year climbers from all over the world reunite in this wonderful valley! I cann't wait! But right now I have come back home to Latvia, and I will post some photos of a very strange ice formations I've found today on the beach, see you in Latvia's discussion folder!

[Deleted]

Lovely photos. We have another major climbing fan here and you are likely to discover very quickly who she is.