Florence - May 2014: Galleria Degli Uffizi

Galleria Degli Uffizi

To visit one of the greatest (probably the greatest) gallery in the world and to be also able to sit in beautiful surrounding and enjoy wonderful coffee and cake - what more could we want. After wandering around the Uffizi galleries for a couple of hours, stunned by the works of art, beauty and craftsmanship we encountered, it was time for a break.

We found a table and we received good service (not sure how they cope in really busy times). Coffee and cake quickly appeared and we paid at the table.

What a setting for a refreshment break....

Florence - May 2014: Ribolitta

Tuscan Ribolitta

Lunch at a Trattoria near the Ponte Vecchio, I had to have the Tuscan Soup - "Ribolitta". The soup which had been beautifully reduced was rich and flavoursome and had been partially absorbed by the Tuscan bread.

The trattoria was near the Ponte Vecchio and had narrow views across the River Arno. This was slowly prepared food made from simple ingredients that provided a quick and easy lunch.

A wild boar ragu that had been slowly melted over many hours. A simple dish but so full of wonderful mellow flavours.

And to complete our lunch we had to try some cheese and honey, offered on most menus.

Amsterdam - February 2014: Beer

Beer in Amsterdam

Our first beers in Amsterdam. Arriving early in the afternoon it was not long before we found something suitable to eat (avoiding the many fast food outlets) and some Amstel beer. This first beer was so refreshing after carrying our bags a long way across the city from the train station!

Another beer from a lesser known Amsterdam brewery which was good. The most famous beer (Heineken) we avoided if at all possible, even in its home city it was the less favoured choice.

La Trappe, trappist beer was also widely available.

It was Sunday afternoon and many were watching football on the large screen and drinking beer - the same the world over!

The less favoured beer (Heineken) in a small bar - note the well worn tables (this was not an artistic effect). This was a quick stop, full of character (and characters) but did not dwell long.

Amsterdam - February 2014: Coffee & cake

Coffee & Cake

An important part of any mid-morning (or mid-afternoon) break is Coffee & Cake. In Austria it is very much an afternoon ritual, but here in Amsterdam when food is easily available around the clock it was much more difficult to decide, so we tried both afternoon and morning.

Here the cakes were either takeaway or you could sit and eat at the narrow counter and watch the bustle of the city go by. Our feet were tired from walking so many miles and this was a good refreshment stop!

Dutch apple pie and cream - available in most places across the city and of course much copied around the world.

Mid afternoon coffee and 'Berliners' in a city centre cake/coffee shop.

Amsterdam - February 2014: Lunch

Lunch in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is very walkable, and we spend the days walking around the city, working our way across the grid of streets and canals. Exploring slowly and taking time to investigate interesting looking buildings, shops or cafes is a significant part of the fun of being somewhere new.

We had lunch at a small cafe/bar. Part of the attraction was its ambience, including many original features. It also offered some typically Dutch dishes including their well know pea and ham soup which added to the attraction.

We enjoyed our easy and unpretentious lunch with some beer, whilst outside the February sun shone brightly, illuminating all the fine details of the magnificent buildings that surrounded us. For us, this was Amsterdam at its easy and relaxed best and without the huge crowds.