Tag: Duomo

FIRENZE-HOME SWEET HOME

Although I have studied to become a nurse, I have to say that before I started to work in Australia and became passionate about sharing the daily  life with a person with spinal cord injury, I was not aware of all the obstacles that someone on a wheelchair has to face. But sharing this journey has opened my mind and my way of seeing things; and has given me the possibility to be more aware of what  surrounds  me.

So after the period spent in Australia, when I came back to my hometown, Florence, I was watching everything with new eyes and with a different awareness. I must admit that luckily in the last years I have noticed that things have started to change and what in the past had to be sadly accepted, like not being able to catch a bus because not accessible, today is inadmissible and people will speak loud for their rights to be respected.

However, considering that the city’s streets and the buildings in the historical center are at least hundreds of years old, we managed quite well to get around the city; I was also surprised with all the adaptations made in order to allow anyone with a physical disability to access all the attractions without too many problem.

Well, there are so many things you can actually do in Florence but there are a few accessible one that you can’t miss:

  • visit the Uffizi for example (I waited 32 years in order to visit this Museum but was worth it strolling around with someone who actually knew more stuff than  Wikipedia, THANKS CHARLES)
  • visit the Academy Gallery, Piazza Duomo and the cathedral, Piazza della Signoria, Ponte Vecchio, Piazza Santa Croce, Palazzo Pitti, Boboli garden and I could actually keep on writing for hours
  • having a drink and almost touching the Cupola by going to the “Rinascente” shop located in Piazza della Repubblica and visiting the rooftop bar
  • visit the Mercato Centrale and have lunch or dinner in the food court area and hopefully being braver than Charles who did not want to try the Panino al Lampredotto (please do not search what it is or you might not want to taste it too!)
  • admiring Florence from the panoramic Piazzale Michelangelo and from Fiesole a small city just 9KM from Florence that you can easily access by catching the Hop On-Hop Off bus.IMG-20190724-WA0028

 

Moreover, I think that to tick all the boxes, if visiting Florence, you should try a good Bistecca alla Fiorentina which is a must-to-eat and if you are eating it in the “right” place and ask the steak to be cooked “medium or well-done”they should definitely refuse themselves!

 

What else can I say? “Firenze is Firenze” and I think if you are planning a trip somewhere in Italy, this should be one of your first choices (just make sure I am  not around or you will be forced to see me!)

Time to move to our last stop, or I should actually say MY last stop, because “culi rotti” Jessie and Charles are going to Dubai too!

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Milan l’è sempre Milan

 

Before writing an article, I always check on the internet in order to get some more accurate information and also make comparisons between what I have learned and other people experiences. I find internet fascinating and stimulating if used properly! However, when I “asked Google” tips for visiting Milan on a wheelchair, the first 3 results that came out were: “Arrested the famous wheelchair user who was always punching tourists” well, please do not stress and please calm down, Charles is fine and he is actually with us!

Apart from this, Milan was another great surprise and it ended up being another very accessible city.  It was amazing to stroll around and see how so many different people would walk in the middle of the streets as if we were to a fashion show, but this was part of the experience, however I still can’t understand why male wear pants to their ankles! My Nonna, would have just proudly  sewed a couple of inches of fabric and maybe ruined a 200$ pair of jeans, but if you wanted to go out from her house that would have been the only option!

So if we focus on the matter “accessibility”, pretty much all the subway’ stations have got lift, some line, like the yellow one has all accessible stops and if you arrive to the Central Train Station, you might want to exit outside the station where Piazza 4 Novembre is and take the outside lift that will take you directly to the underground subway!  If you want, you will then be able to stop just under the Duomo! It is always shocking getting out at the Duomo stop and finding yourself in the middle of the Main Square where the cathedral dominates!

However, if you are looking for some accessible activities to do, you should consider:

  • Visiting the Duomo Cathedral and catching the lift in order to have a great view from the top of the first terrace
  • Eating an ice-cream at “Cracco” (you might need to apply for a mortgage but it is worth it!)
  • Visiting the Brera Gallery (Pinacoteca di Brera)
  • Visiting the stunning “Castello Sforzesco” with all his different museums and temporary exhibitions
  • Going to the Scala theatre
  • Shopping around the city for great fashion designers clothes
  • Strolling around the “Navigli” and trying every bar
  • Strolling around the city and watching people, while drinking a great cocktail in the city home of one of the most famous “aperitivo” in the world

These are some examples of things to do in this very busy city in just a short period of time because unfortunately it is already time to travel to Bologna and try all the different varieties of pasta!

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The General and a view from “the rear” of the Brera Gallery