Tag Archives: Giro d”italia

“Life is Beautiful”- Piazza Grande, Arezzo

30 Friday Sep 2016

Posted by in Arezzo, Piazza Grande - Arezzo

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , ,

Just a quick walk from the Arezzo train station, albeit a little uphill, is the Piazza Grande.

20160514_092320

Arezzo Train Station

After arriving in a town or village, one of the first things I do is locate and walk to the town’s main Piazza.  This gives me a feel of the town and also the proximity of where many of the must see’s are. Also, if there is an information centre in town I will visit it.

dscf8675-copy-copydscf8673

The centre piece of Arezzo is without any doubt Piazza Grande. The piazza itself is not very big but it has so much to offer. The best way to enter is through the galleria on the east side which is filled with several (good) restaurants. On the South and West side you will find a selection of shops.

dscf8679dscf8678dscf8676-copy

 

The Piazza Grande is the most noteworthy medieval square in Arezzo.

This piazza is really an interesting place to see due to the fact that it is built slanting and also it is surrounded with amazing buildings, the most noted is the Santa Maria delle Pieve.  An interesting fact of this piazza is that some scenes of the famous film La Vita e Bella were shot here.

dscf8674

There are no cars to deal with which adds to the peaceful, convivial nature of this spectacular place.

This beautiful piazza is framed by fine restaurants, antique shops, and an old well along its lower slope.

dscf8677

I chose a cafe to sit. My timing was perfect. Just as I was taking in the view, in rode a group of “veteran” cyclists who were in town for the Giro d’Italia. The atmosphere was exciting. I could see that these cyclists were from Australia and New Zealand and I soon learned that they were all ex Olympians or ex Commonwealth games participants.

??????????????

The Piazza Grande is for me one of the most beautiful Piazze in Italy. I guess mainly because it is not over crowded like so many others in Italy and it is a great place to enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine.

This charming town was not crowded even though the Giro d’Italia was arriving later that day.

Steeped in history – a beautiful place to find a cafe.  

Relax.  Enjoy.

Advertisements

The Day the Giro d’Italia came to town

08 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by in Giro d' Italia - Arezzo, Tuscany

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

, , , ,

Not long after I arrived in Arezzo I could feel that something special was happening.  While wandering around exploring, I saw the barricades being installed and of course all the signs and banners. The Giro d’Italia was coming to town.

20160514_11154920160514_12065120160514_12184920160514_121636

I have never really been a big fan of bike racing, although I do enjoy watching it on tv but mostly for the scenery. But, it did not take me long to be caught up in the excitement of the town.

While enjoying my morning coffee in the Piazza Grande, about 6 middle-aged men in lycra arrived. They were all from Australia and New Zealand. Listening to them, I learned that they were all ex Olympians or Commonwealth games winners.  They were here to watch the race. This just added to the excitement of being in Arezzo on such a special occasion.

Everywhere I went there were flags and banners and barricades for the race and many hours before the cyclists were due, people were already beginning to line the streets. The atmosphere was electric with a party feel.

There was a big van decorated in the official Giro d’Italia colours in the Piazza Monaco Guido which was just near my accommodation.  In fact my window overlooked it all. There was a loud speaker with the constant recording announcing the race and offering Giro packs for sale.

DSCF8642

20160514_170438

20160514_170359

I bought a pack for 10euro which consisted of a pink cap, a pink t-shirt and  a pink plastic “clapper”.  It was official; I was caught up in the moment.

20160514_164803

 

There were several marquees and media booths set up, truck after truck of equipment and lots of police around.

The crowds were already jockeying for positions behind the temporary barricades. I managed to find myself a great spot near the beginning of the cyclists entrance in to Arezzo.  I felt as though I was probably the only Aussie, in fact, non speaking Italian standing there, but I was totally caught up in the overwhelming excitement of it all.

Suddenly a motorcade of Italian police cars and bikes appeared around the bend with sirens blaring and blue lights flashing.

Then a flash goes by, then another, then they are gone.  I had my camera poised to take the photos but they went by so quickly I was lucky to get any photos.

Apart from the slower cyclist and support vehicles it was all over.  The biggest surprise for me was the amount of team cars carrying spare bikes and parts.

I wandered off feeling so very fortunate that I experienced such a wonderful event.

 

 

 

 

Relax at the Park – Arezzo 

24 Sunday Jul 2016

Posted by in Il Prato - Park in Arezzo, Tuscany

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

While staying in Bagni di Lucca, I took many short trips to several towns and cities in Tuscany.

One of these trips was to Arezzo. I travelled there by train which took about 4 hours, and included 2 train changes. The first change was at Lucca, then another change at Florence before the final destination of Arezzo.  It was a pleasant and easy trip.

20160514_092320 - Copy

After my arrival in Arezzo it was just a short walk from the train station to the Guido Monaco Piazza where the BnB  was where I stayed for a couple of nights.

Guido Monaco Piazzza
Guido Monaco Piazzza
Guido Monaco Piazzza

After checking in to the BnB,  I headed out on foot to explore this lovely city.  It was not very far to walk up to the “old town”

At the top of the Arezzo hill, between the cathedral and the Medici fortress, is ” Il Prato ” , a beautiful green park.  Il Prato is huge and hard to miss.  Yet, it was remarkably void of tourists and filled with many locals, mostly kids running around and playing games.

20160514_114201

Playing in the park

??????????????
??????????????
??????????????
??????????????

Il Prato which is near the edge of the walls of the city has lots of beautiful walks under the lovely large trees.  You can walk to the edge of the park and look out over the city walls to the valley below. It is beautiful and very tranquil.

20160514_112400

View from Il Prato

20160514_112411

View from Il Prato

20160514_113652

View from Il Prato

20160514_114932

View from Il Prato

20160514_114340

View from Il Prato

There is a small snack kiosk in the park serving drinks and some of the usual refreshments.

20160514_114449

Kiosk

This park is also home to summer concerts , sporting events and the antiques fair on the first weekend of September.

On this particular day, they were setting up for the Giro d’Italia which was coming through Arezzo while I was staying there. It was so exciting.

Setting up for Giro d’Italia

Between the cathedral of Arezzo and the Medici Fortress, in the centre of the “Prato”,  is the huge monument dedicated to the great famous poet of the fourteenth century Francesco Petrarca.

20160514_112133

Monument dedicated to Francesco Petrarca

When I first arrrived in Arezzo it was  raining heavily, hailing and thunder storms. Then the day improved and it turned out warm and lovely.

2016-05-13 14.57.57

Rain and Hail in Arezzo

The park is at least a few degrees cooler than being in the centre of Arezzo.  When I felt hot and tired I found a bench overlooking the rest of the town and the hills…it was relaxing and definitely recharged my batteries.

Travelling can be exhausting, so why not take some time to relax in the park?