Gobble, Gobble

I have never spent a major holiday away from home. This Thanksgiving was a first for me…and I had Bruce, Sarah and Ashleigh with me. I cannot deny that we thought of “home” and turkey. Where can four “away from homers” find Thanksgiving fixings in Florence, Italy? Well, if you’ve a mind to cook, everything needed for such a feast can be found at Florence’s Central Market. Mounds of the freshest vegetables…

Abundant, if not recognizable, fish….

..and soooo many yummy cookies.

Turkey could still be the star in the show.

But why cook when the opportunity to celebrate in a different way presents itself…no cooking means extra free time…and extra free time equals a day trip outside of Florence.

Pisa is only a short train ride from Florence, making it a perfect destination for Thanksgiving Day. The Pisa Square of Miracles contains a number of noteworthy structures, the Pisa Cathedral or Domo, which was founded in 1064 and consecrated in 1118…..

the Pisa Baptistery….

the Camposanto Monumentale and the

Leaning Tower, itself. For me, the entire iconic complex is impressive. After all, construction of the tower started in 1173, and in spite of its ongoing destabilization issues, it still stands and welcomes visitors daily.

Two such visitors were Sarah and Ashleigh Henry. These two intrepid travelers climbed the bell tower while their parents happily sat below in the sun. Here they are passing security and waving at us from far above.

The Square is beautiful at night, and you find yourself wanting to linger.

But in case you thought the Henrys overlooked the importance of food on Thanksgiving Day, let me put your mind at ease with these parting photos….

and send my hope that your holiday was as memorable as mine….totally because of the loved ones you were with.

The Unseasoned Traveler