I was looking forward to relaxing today, but asked N&M if I could take them out for lunch today. We went to Trattoria Ada (Viale Mazzini 25/27) near their home, and it is the same place and name as when they took their kids there in strollers – but way more upscale now. Our server even brought out an old menu (with lira) to show them. My primi piatti was poke, raw tuna with a small salad – and as good as Hawaii. Secondi piatti was veal cutlet that was enough to feed a village – huge portion. And then homemade gelato – wow.
Went back to their place and had our usual great conversations about history, Firenze and the world – and we solved all the world’s problems.
Back home to write and prepare for a full day’s adventure tomorrow. InterNations setup a trip to Sabbioneta about 2½ hours north near Mantua in Lombardy. It is along the banks of the Po River (sabbionetta means ‘sandy’). In 2008, Sabbioneta, together with Mantua, was declared by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site due to its exceptional nature as a newly founded city built in just over 30 years by the will of Prince Vespasiano I Gonzaga. According to UNESCO, Sabbioneta represents a perfect example of the application of Renaissance theories on how an ideal city should be designed. The only downside is having to meet at 7am tomorrow, and it’s about a 30-minute cab ride away.
Went back to their place and had our usual great conversations about history, Firenze and the world – and we solved all the world’s problems.
Back home to write and prepare for a full day’s adventure tomorrow. InterNations setup a trip to Sabbioneta about 2½ hours north near Mantua in Lombardy. It is along the banks of the Po River (sabbionetta means ‘sandy’). In 2008, Sabbioneta, together with Mantua, was declared by UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site due to its exceptional nature as a newly founded city built in just over 30 years by the will of Prince Vespasiano I Gonzaga. According to UNESCO, Sabbioneta represents a perfect example of the application of Renaissance theories on how an ideal city should be designed. The only downside is having to meet at 7am tomorrow, and it’s about a 30-minute cab ride away.