On 'The Path to Rome' we went to Firenze.

With this post I open my third rebound travel journal - 'The Path to Rome'. Our first stop in Italy was in Firenze. Why do we call Firenze 'Florence'???
We stayed right in the heart of Florence and Cappelle Medice was right at the end of our street with the Duomo at the other.

I saw Michelangelo's David there. In spite of the number of images I've seen of it in my life, seeing it 'in the flesh' (as it were) was still a complete surprise. He is beautiful and wonderful. (To see my other 'David' sketches, click here.)



Firenze was also the only place we visited where we had to resort to the laundromat. It's amazing how much time it takes up!

My Provence sketchook on notebookism!

I'm thrilled to say that my 'Perfume from Provence' sketchbook is featured on notebookism! I love the site anyway, but feel really touched to be included again! I was over the moon when my 'Guide France' rebinding was hightlighted back in August. Now I think I'm over the... sun!(?)Thanks Armand!

'Perfume from Provence' - Nice

The main reason we went to Nice was for Matisse! We were only to be there two nights so as soon as we arrived we asked directions to the Matisse museum... only to find out it had closed (only a week before we got there!) for 8 months! But we had a lovely time at the Chagall museum and set of to Vence to see the Matisse chapel the next day.


When we got to Vence we felt lucky to find a small exhibition of his work in the gallery there. We did get to see this - and it was fantastic - but when we asked for directions to the Chapel itself, we were told that it was closed!!! (It was the first day of the new quieter season openings!) We walked around to see it from the road all the same, to find you just can't see anything from the road! It must simply mean I'll have to go back!

We did go to St. Paul de Vence though, to the Fondation Maeght. Now this is a museum to see! Calder, Miro, Arp, Braque, Motherwell, Matisse (yes, there was one or two), Picasso, Ernst, Kandinsky etc etc etc etc etc (three etc's would not fully describe the extent of it...)


So go to Nice - for the art - it is magnificant! Just wait until after July 2007 to make sure you get a big dose of Matisse... and stay tuned here for the story about my big dose of Matisse in Rome...

'Perfume from Provence' - Rousillon

Rousillon! A small village atop a hill of ochre. The architecture reflects this and is alive with colour. If you want to be able to know just how many different shades, tones and colours ochre can be, you need to go there.


You need to go there anyway! It was my favourite place. It sucked me in, but unfortunately circumstances spat me out. Guess I'll just have to go back...

'Perfume from Provence' - Gordes

Gordes is an amazing hill top village known for it's 'dry' stone. Everything is made from the stone from the hill it stands on and much of it is assembled without mortar.

'Perfume from Provence' - Avignon

I love Provence. For much of our time in Provence we used Avignon as our base.


Inside the Palais de Papes, Avignon.


Le Pont du Avignon.


A souvenier of Provence.

You can see more of my Avignon sketches here.