14 Comments
User's avatar
Sally Burke's avatar

I do enjoy your writing, so informative and at times amusing. Thank you

Expand full comment
Jim Parton's avatar

Your literature reading background certainly makes your post come alive as you tie the location to the characters/people from books and historical happenings. Florence must have been an incredible place to visit and walk.

Expand full comment
jodi {diaryofaladytraveler}'s avatar

I'm always thankful to be a reader - I think it enhances my enjoyment of traveling so much! I'm afraid it may bore some people, but you gotta be who you are, right??

Expand full comment
Jim Parton's avatar

I am currently reading a book reprinted from the 1850's, by Florence Nightengale. (Written before she was famous.) The title is "Letters from Egypt." It is so much like the series you are writing about your travels in Europe. She wrote extensively about the times, people and places she visited as she traveled the Nile. It is wonderful, and timeless.

Expand full comment
Ann Kennedy Smith's avatar

Lovely post, Jodi. Made me wish I was there... planning my next visit already. Season's greetings to you!

Expand full comment
jodi {diaryofaladytraveler}'s avatar

Thank you, Ann! Happy holidays! 🎄

Expand full comment
Jennifer S's avatar

I really appreciate this take on it Jodi. A good reminder that beauty is so much more than skin deep!

Expand full comment
jodi {diaryofaladytraveler}'s avatar

Thank you sis! I’m so glad you were there to explore Florence with me! ❤️

Expand full comment
Ruth Stroud's avatar

Just glorious writing and photography, Jodi! I have visited Florence several times, but seeing it through your eyes, with some choice quotes from E. M. Forster’s A Room With a View, makes me long to return. Those swirling swallows at dusk were the crowning touch!

Expand full comment
jodi {diaryofaladytraveler}'s avatar

Thank you! ❤️

Expand full comment
Shan's avatar

Beautiful essay. I’ll soon be visiting Florence for the third time and will think about it a little differently having read this essay. I’ve always found it beautiful--it was the first Italian city I visited--the one I wanted to see most--but Rome became my favorite, with its many layers.

Expand full comment
jodi {diaryofaladytraveler}'s avatar

Thank you!! Rome is my favorite, too - I don't think there's any place in Europe as magical as the Roman Forum.

Expand full comment
Victoria Olsen's avatar

Lovely, evocative writing but the images are arresting too. I like that vintage look of the photos with the rounded corners. And then the starlings! There must be an Italian word for that kind of delight. :)

Expand full comment
jodi {diaryofaladytraveler}'s avatar

Thank you Victoria!! I'm so embarrassed that my Italian isn't any better than it is, but you're right - if nothing else I should learn the words for magical and delightful!

Expand full comment