This week saw the end of Carnivale and the beginning of Lent. Scattered confetti on the streets, masks for sale in shop windows. This week we have been to the Uffizi, where crowds and tour groups somewhat marred the visit. The first rooms are, to my mind, the best. Early Renaissance, Botticelli and Lippi, etc. I think that the museum area has been enlarged, one walks down one main corridor, and then back partway on the other side. There is now a coffee bar at the end with a good view overlooking the rooftops of the city.

I picked up a small book by Bernard Berenson, in Italian. I am trying to read it, using the flash card app on the iPad. I put words that I do not know (there are many, but some I can guess at) on flash cards, work on them, and in this way move forward slowly with the book. Good mental exercise, to mat ch the physical exercise that comes from walking around a lot. 

The city is gearing up for the celebration of Italian unification days, on March 16 and 17, I think. By one reckoning, it is the 150th anniversary of Italy as a nation. There will be artistic and musical events in various piazzas of the city, on the days before we leave.

We took a bus to the Piazzale Michelangelo where there are fine views of the city and an elegant restaurant. A few photos are in this blog entry.   

The sign indicates the water level in the flood of the 1960s. Picture is taken not near the Arno but a mile or so away.

View of Florence from the Piazale Michalangelo

View of Florence from the Piazale Michalangelo

Statue of David at the Piazale Michalangelo

View of Perugia; this always reminds me of an Esher engraving

View from Cortona

Over the weekend we went by train to the hill towns of Arezzo, Cortona, and Perugia. Stayed in the town below Cortona for 2 nights, stopped in Arezzo to see the frescos of Piero della Francesca, and walked around Perugia for a few hours to revisit the scenes where i had taught a summer course 15 years ago. Some pictures are attached.