Silver Haired Gappies
Italy
Florence Italy
Eat With a wealth of fantastic restaurants, listed below are some family owned ones more often frequented by the locals.
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Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori
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Restaurante Boccadama
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Restaurante 4 Leoni
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Restaurante Il Latini
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Trattoria Za Za
Stay
Perfectly positioned close to both the Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery. Very comfortable boutique hotel with antique decorated spacious rooms.
Visit
In a city so rich in history and culture, we provide a list of highly recommended sights which are not necessarily on every visitor's list:
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Badia Fiorentina - one of Florence's oldest churches
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Santa Croce - Gothic church
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Piazza Della Signoria with Palazzo Vecchio
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Palazzo Medici Riccardi
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San Lorenzo
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Galleria dell'Accademia
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The Convent of San Marco
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Piazza della Santissima Annunziata & the church
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Santa Maria Novella and seek out the monks' Officina Profumo in Via della Scala
Be prepared to walk and climb - the Duomo and Campaniles! There is so much to see in this gorgeous city so plan to return! Manage your time in the Uffizi, if not you will not have time for the rest of the City.
Loved every moment of the whole trip - best to visit out of season!
Solemn Mass at Badia Fiorentina
Save the £s: Using Pisa (Ryan Air) rather then Florence Airport and hiring a "push me/pull you" Fiat Panda left more to spend in the restaurants!
Part of a trip: Stayed 4 days, 3 nights, taking early morning flight out, returning on last flight back. Easy to combine with another glorious Italian City.
Porte Ercole Italy
Visit Day trips:
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Capalbio - a scenic medieval village, church of St Nicola.
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Isola del Giglio - (40 minute ferry) - enjoy lunch at one of the many portside restaurants - hire a boat and swim in the turquoise waters
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Grosetto - capital of Maremma region with the Cathedral of San Lorenzo.
Flew to Pisa which enables a stop-off at Siena on way back.
Drove via half day at Santo Stefano, on the west coast of Monte Argentario.
A unique moment when SHG took a well earned R&R break!
Save the £s: Using Pisa Airport (Ryan Air) and hiring a "push me/pull you" Fiat Panda shocked the Concierge, but left more to spend at the hotel!
Part of a trip: Stayed at Porto Ercole for 3 nights, perfect for R&R.
Car hire from Pisa allows flexibility to stay further nights at Pisa and Siena.
Visit
In a city abundant with historic sights such as the Forum, the Colosseum, the Vatican City, and countless churches & museums, we particularly highlight those below:
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Vatican Scavi (Neocropolis) & the tomb of St Peter & the Vatican Grottos
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Sistine Chapel (accessed via the Vatican Museums tickets)
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St Peter's Basilica & Cupola & roof top
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The Pantheon
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Santa Maria Maggiore
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Campo de' Fiori (at market times)
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Piazza Novona - stop for a cocktail or meal at Pierluigi
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Basilica of Sant' Agostino, with the tomb his mother Saint Monica
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Santa Maria della Vittoria with Bernini's Ecstasy of St Teresa
Eat With such enormous choice, we highlight just a few:
In Campo di Fiori:
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Roscioli, Via dei Guibbonari
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Per Me Guilio Terrinoni, Vicolo del Malpasso.
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La Pollarola, Piazza Pollarola
Near the Pantheon:
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Da Armando al Pantheon
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Ristorante La Tavernetta 48
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Trattoria La Rosetta (fish)
Our favourite pastime is to wander the cobbled alleyways of Centro Storico which are richly furnished with Renaissance palaces, ancient ruins and baroque piazzas alongside fabulous bars, cafes and restaurants. Churches abound decorated with the works of Michelangelo, Caravaggio and Bernini et al.
There is so much to explore in this glorious City with a restaurant around every corner just waiting to be enjoyed!
7am Daily Mass at St Peter's Basilica. Papal Audience (Wednesdays)
Part of a trip: Stayed 4 days, 3 nights, taking early morning flight out, returning on last flight back. Easy to combine with another glorious Italian City.
Rome Italy
Two-centre post operative trip, surrounded by vineyards and olive groves and excellent food.
Stay Locanda dell' Amorosa (Sinalunga) (not on Expedia)
Relax in this luxury hotel - a converted 14th Century hamlet. Enjoy their superb restaurant's Tuscan cuisine, or savour a light meal in the Osteria wine bar. Relax by the pool or in the stunning gardens.
Enjoy tasting this region's specialities, including world renowned wines:
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Brunello di Montalcino
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Chianti Classico
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Nobile di Montepulciano
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Locanda's own: Borgo Amorosa and Rosso dell' Amorosa
together with delicious ricotta, plentiful truffle, pecorino cheese, savoury sausage, organic honey & jams.
Visit
Explore the local medieval towns at your leisure. Access problematic post hip op but we were still able to visit the towns of Pienza & Montalcino, parking the car very close to the centre.
We also recommend visiting the abbeys:
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Monte Oliveto Maggiore
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Sant' Antimo
Eat
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Pienza - Trattoria Latte di Luna
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Montalcino - Ristorante Taverna del Grappolo Blu
Stay
More Tuscan delights to be enjoyed at this fabulous hotel 35 km from Florence. Relax in the glorious grounds or take a walk in the Tuscan countryside. Savour excellent food in the restaurant and take the opportunity to learn about olive oil production.
Visit
Explore local Romanesque and Renaissance churches or take a day trip to Florence.
Locando dell' Amorosa and Villa Campestri both provide exceptional Italian hospitality and comfort with characterful antique decorated spacious rooms. Both hotels are within an oasis of calm.
Explore the numerous medieval towns close to Locando dell'Amorosa. Retreat to the calm of Villa Campestri post a sightseeing day in Florence.
Sunday Mass at Monte Oliveto Maggiore
Save the £s: Using Pisa (Ryan Air) rather than Florence Airport.
Combined trip: Stayed 3 nights at Locando dell' Amorosa followed by 2 nights at Villa Campestri.
Tuscany Italy
Stay
Fabulous hotel with excellent service and amenities in perfect position. Fabulous award winning Do Leoni restaurant. Enjoy a full english picnic on the roof terrace!
Stay
Charming, intimate family run hotel with magical internal courtyard for breakfast and cocktails. Perfect position. Ideal for trip with children. Fantastic service.
Visit
In a city abundant with world renown sights such as Basilica di San Marco, the Doge's Palace, Ponti di Rialto, and countless churches & museums, we particularly highlight those below:
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Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (San Polo)
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Scuola Grande di San Rocco (San Polo)
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Galerie dell' Accademia (Dorsodoro)
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San Nicolo dei Mendicoli (Dorsodoro)
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Santa Maria della Salute (Dorsodoro)
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Ca d'Oro (Cannaregio)
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Scalzi (Cannaregio)
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San Georgio Maggiore
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The Lagoon Islands of:
Murrano - the glass making factories
Burrano - colourful shuttered houses
Eat
With such enormous choice, we highlight a few:
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Locando Martin
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Corte Sconta
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Restaurante Local
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Ristorante Wisteria
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Vineria All' Amarone
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Gatto Negro (Burrano)
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Do Leoni (Londra Palace)
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Osteria Alle Testiere (fish)
This city is so easy to walk, so long as is is not too crowded! Wear comfortable shoes. Best to visit in Spring or Autumn. Be prepared to return - there is far too much to see for one visit. Make time for the fantastic restaurants and plan your days carefully.
Adore this City, so much to see. Visit Burrano to enjoy the Gatto Negro, use the Marco Polo taxi arriving via a visit to their factory on Murrano - you will not be disappointed!
Basilica San Marco
Part of a trip: Stayed 4 days, 3 nights, taking early morning flight out, returning on last flight back. Easy to combine with another glorious Italian City.