MAKING JEWELS LIKE ITS 1903 (Florence, Italy)
So, this is Italy. More specifically, the rolling hills, art, and architecture of Tuscany that everyone falls in love with. If you’ve been here, then you already know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, you will probably be scheming on how to get here by the end of this series.
Sometimes it’s hard to believe our own luck. So many of our most memorable moments have been nothing more than serendipity. And this week, we have an unintentional theme of exploring Tuscany through the ages. (Which I suppose shouldn’t be such a surprise in a country as ancient as Italy.) Because we arrived in San Casciano in Val di Pesa just in time for the medieval carnival.
Then, as you all know, we’re suckers for learning how things are made. So, when we were invited to the last remaining goldsmith on Florence’s famous Ponte Vecchio (aka, the gold bridge), we couldn’t say no. Turns out that making gold jewels is a lot like making pasta.
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- Artist – Alon Ohana, Paper Planes, ANBR, Ziv Moran, Bob Hart
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Thank you for watching! Ups, downs, and all around, we share it all. If you like what you see, there are lots of ways you can show your support.
Tiffany
You bringing your Aunt her praising her Uncle – it was all about family and Florence! I subscribed because of this video (just found ya’ll about a week ago)!! Thank you!!
Curious Minion
Thanks for joining us on the ride! We’ll see you next Sunday.
Curious Minion
Pam McClure
That was brilliant! And their English was fabulous. Thank you.
OjaiLynda
As with most of the videos you share, this was yet another FIRST for me. I absolutely loved experiencing this multi-generational shop and amazed how the family used Botticelli’s art for inspiration. Keep rolling along and thank you for letting us ride with you!
Robert Lalor
Exquisite. Thanks for sharing.
Robert
I just loved this particular video of Florence. One of your best so far. As mentioned by others your aunt Rebecca is stunning. Absolutely gorgeous! But then aren’t all Texas girls that way?
G.
100% Agree !
Alan Solomon
Thank you so much for this terrific video. Nikki, your Aunt Rebecca is gorgeous. She is perfect with the Italian cityscapes, sights and sounds of Florence.
Thank you for including us today.
The old back rooms of Fratelli Piccini Jewelers hold a lot of history. I love the old workstation of Ms. Piccini’s Grandfather and the view he looked out over for so many years. How awesome would that have been? Her Grandfather definitely saw change from that window since the early 1900″s.
What a beautiful life living in a medieval city like this. Also, a wonderful reminder for me that there are other ways to enjoy living one’s life. I am so engrossed in my repetitious, weekly routine I lose focus on social travel and forget adventure, satisfaction and relief that is still available to me.
This video and its subject matter seem far from the open ocean and sailing. I know your new HH is on its way. I am very excited for you both.
Safe travels. Happy and Joyous.
Jess
OMG, thank you for this! I have been needing a vicarious escape for the last few weeks and this lit my smile and sent me sighing. Aaahhh to travel again! Enjoy every breath, every bottle of wine, and every buona giornata!
BTW, I can see the family resemblance in your aunt, and WOW that lady is a classical beauty. Family can be a blessing or a curse to travel with – so happy to see the smile memories being made. Life, it only happens once. Spend it with people you can enjoy.
Ellen Lowe
Jason and Nikki,
This is a fabulous video and you have made me the most nostalgic I have felt in a long time. Florence, my favorite city in all of my travels, has a special place in my heart and to see that you are experiencing some of its magic is wonderful. I am extremely envious of your time spent with the jeweler on the Ponte Vecchio and your perfect coverage . To see the view from there that most of us do not get to see was very special.
When I was there decades ago I was able to watch a yearly tradition dating back to the 16th century, held in a sand filled piazza in front of the Santa Croce church. In the Calcio Fiorentino, an early game of football, the players wear Medieval-style costumes and when it began there were basically no rules to the game so they could kick, punch, elbow through others to get to the goal. Now they play the games in June with safety rules. A team from each of the four quarters of the city is represented and the matches go on for three days. With all of the pageantry displayed it is a wonderful experience. It is a serious rivalry between the teams. Have a look in WIKIPEDIA. Just one of the entertaining things one can do in Florence, although the history and art is what drew me to visit initially.
(Rereading this I sound like a travel agent) 🙂 oxo
James Dillon
Greetings from Canada folks!! What a treat to have such a wonderful introduction, first hand, from Italy !! Thanks for the amazing tour!! BTW, Nikki, your Aunt is a beautiful, classy lady!! Your lineage has served you well!! Stay safe and I am looking forward to the new boat delivery. Follower since day1!! So glad of your amazing hard work and well deserved success with your channel!! Best of regards!! Jamie Dillon
Linda
OK… That was a great episode, but I have to say that your aunt is gorgeous!!! She looks like a movie star and she should be modeling❤️.
Ciao🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷
Michael
Wow! Thank you so much.
mary van
What a great find!
I really enjoyed seeng all of the old tools and spaces they work and worked in. You don’t see many young people following the paths of their family much anymore.
The craftmanship in so many of the pieces is amazing. I LOVED the gold compact with diamonds. That sure would make a nice Mother’s Day gift!