Here I am, in my native Firenze!

I was born and raised in this magnificent city; yearn for it when away, delight on its unequaled beauty when here and, like any Florentine D.O.C. (Controlled Denomination of Origin), feel so very proud of the ancient blood that runs in my veins. Like we, Florentines, like to state, Fiorentini si nasce, non is diventa. (Florentines we are born, we don’t become.)

Also my children, born and raised in the U.S., although not Florentines by birth feel a special bond with the land of their ancestors. They have visited Florence since they were weeks old and live the city like locals at their nonna’s (Italian grandmother’s), a stroll away from il centro (the city’s center) along the Arno river, and with their extended Italian family. They have been exposed to the art, architectural and natural wonders of Florence and Tuscany at large from the very beginning of their lives.

Although the kids feel comfortably at home in the city and are well aware of living and breathing art while there, Art History hasn’t always been ingrained in their thoughts (Gelato artigianale and focaccia all’olio d’oliva are and will always be some of the most treasured pleasures Florence has to offer. Obviously?!) One of the first times my young guy went on his own to meet friends in centro, when asked if he was sure he knew how to make it back to nonna’s his reassuring answer was, “Of course! I’ll just have to see where the Big Red Ball is!”