Into the hills on the number 7 bus.

Hard to believe already that is a week since our new friends from Pasadena arrived in Italy.  We've kept them busy with orientation, classes and a welcome dinner, so today we decided to go upto Fiesole and take in the view.

It was a beautiful late Summer day as everyone boarded the bus for the 6 mile journey up the hill.  In one week time the same road will be used as part of the World Cycling Championships.

Blue skies and fresh air greeted the group in Piazza Mino, Fiesole.

Firstly a quick visit to the Cathedral to see the foundations of the original church started in 1028 and the relics of Saint Romulus, patron Saint of Fiesole, quickly followed by a favorite Italian tradition...  Coffee and Pastry!

Oh yes, the best way to start the day!

It was good to see that the group are already used to taking their coffee "al banco" standing at the bar and not getting charged for the luxury of sitting down.  With a little rocket fuel in the stomach it was time to head to the slopes of Monte Ceceri "Mount of the Swans".  Along the way we got some fantastic views of Florence down in the valley below, so a perfect opportunity for a group photo!

Pasadena City College Firenze Fall 2013

After the pause for the group photo we continued passing by Olive Groves and ancient footpaths before entering the park.  We made our way through old quarries that had been in use from Roman times right up until the 1900s.  The path was steep in places but the cover from the trees kept us cool.

Following a path that could be over 2000 years old...

Having seen the whole of Florence and beyond, now the views were to the North and East.  The Chianti making vines of Ruffina were in the distance as well as the hills that separate Tuscany from Emilia Romagna.  The path topped out at a square dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci.  In 1506, two years after painting the Mona Lisa, it is believed that a flying machine, designed by Leonardo took its maiden flight from the very spot where we were standing...

1506?  First flight from Fiesole?  

With that in our minds, particularly the thought of someone being so brave/stupid to attempt such a thing four hundred years before the Wright Brothers we headed back towards Fiesole.  After another quick stop to admire the view and an Etruscan burial site, we arrived back in the center of the town.  Bellies were rumbling now as the clock ticked past mid-day so some of the group grabbed something to keep them going.

There was time for one more viewpoint, this time from the Monastery of San Francesco. The view never gets old, each time you see something new.  The majority of the group made a pledge to return, particularly when they have friends and family visiting.

Yes, You do live in Florence.

This weekend, some of the group are heading off to the beach, to make the most of the great weather.  Viareggio/Forte dei Marmi on the West Coast of Tuscany have been mentioned.  Some are doing laundry and studying.  The Cycling Championships start on Sunday with a Team Time Trial that passes through the center of the city, opening up a series of events going on for a week.  We have warned the students that access to school may take a little longer than normal.

Thanks for reading.  If you have any questions about any aspect of our programs, please do not hesitate to get in touch, email us at florence@aifs.co.uk.