Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Florence, Italy


Pondering the new Fiat 500 in the Galleria degli Uffizi


Today was our first full day in Florence. We decided to leave the car at the hotel and take the bus into downtown in order to get a better feel for the city centre. We took in the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, Piazza della Repubblica, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Galleria degli Uffizi. I will try to get out early in the morning with the MINI to try to get a few pictures of the car in front of some of Florence's famous sites before the piazzas become crowded with visitors.



Video impression of the Piazza della Signoria

5 comments:

RB said...

The Cinquecento Rocks!

It's like being there all over again. Don't forget Il Latini. It's just around the corner from the Duomo.
My wife has pics of every square inch of the Duomo.

Thanks for the great write ups and movies.

I don't suppose, if you go to the Ferrari Factory you could get me a T-Shirt... XL? I had Ian Cull get me a MTTS shirt but that was easier for him as he wasn't traveling across Europe.

How bad is the € to $ these days?

Robert said...

Offically this moring the € was about 1.37 to 1. Not good...

I don't think I'll be going into the Ferrari factory on this visit since I didn't reserve in advance. Most of the items available in the Ferrari Galleria are also available at the Wynn in Las Vegas and at the Beverly Center. What did you have in-mind?

Anonymous said...

I love the 500 i have seen a ton of them here in Naples, the Driving is totally different but i love it. We bought a 1991 Rover Mini (classic) and have been driving it here... but the new 500 are all over the place here and think they are great what were your thoughs?

Robert said...

Hi Tim & Amanda,

I just checked out your blog. I didn't realize that you have relocated out to Napoli. Time wasn't on our side to get that far south on our Italian trip. I'd love to drive the Amalfi Coast in the future. Are you with the U.S. Navy?

I haven't driven or been inside the 500, but I think the car is great with styling cues that are probably even closer to the original than the R53 was to the original Mini. The 500 is definitely small and it has less power than our Cooper S models. In many ways the 500 is positioned against the MINI as the original 500 was against the original Mini. The motor is smaller and the MINI has greater motorsports presence. Both car have serious character though. I am looking forward to reading about an Abarth 500 performance in the future.

Both the MINI and the 500 are examples of retro done right, are great examples of automotive design, and have a cult following.

I only hope to have the chance to drive a 500 soon!

Anonymous said...

I believe that i saw a Abarth 500 the other day in Pozzoulai a city about 20 mins to the south of Casal the city that i live in. The first clue was the drilled and slotted rotors and big red calipers. As well as some badging changes. but its sharp, i would love to drive one we will see!