David Goldstein, Author at LANDMARK ADVENTURES

Gelato – Stories, Traditions & More

on May 27, 2025November 16, 2025By David Goldstein

After morning language class and lunch at home, David returned to the school for a presentation on gelato by one of the teachers. Gelato–invented right here in Florence–is almost as important to the culture as pasta and wine. As the locals say, “it’s always time for gelato!”

We learned about the history of gelato, how it’s made, and how to distinguish “tourist gelato” from the good stuff. (And yes, there is a huge difference.) Because this was a school program, rather than one through Road Scholar, it was entirely in Italian.

The musical life of Florence

on May 26, 2025November 16, 2025By David Goldstein

Road Scholar provided us with a unique learning opportunity this afternoon: a lesson on the history and evolution of Italian chamber music and opera, not by an academic in a lecture hall, but rather by musicians of Florence’s premier orchestra in a beautiful 500-year-old residence. C’era bellissimo!

Baptistry of San Giovanni and Museo dell’Opera del Duomo

on May 25, 2025November 16, 2025By David Goldstein

We slept in for a bit on Sunday morning after our long day in Siena on Saturday. In the afternoon, we returned to the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flowers complex (the Duomo) for a tour of the Baptistry and the Duomo Museum.

Day trip to Siena

on May 24, 2025January 25, 2026By David Goldstein

Going on only five hours of sleep after our late night Friday at the birthday/farewell party, we still made it to the Florence train station at 8:30 Saturday morning for a school-organized trip to Siena. As with all the other tours and programs organized by the language school, it was conducted entirely in Italian, which gave us plenty of practice in listening and speaking. Siena was stunning and the weather was perfect, so we were glad we didn’t decide to skip the tour!

The Duomo and Medici Chapels, and a farewell to friends

on May 23, 2025November 16, 2025By David Goldstein

Today schedule was packed, with a guided tour of the Duomo, another tour of the Medici Chapels, our weekly Road Scholar happy hour, and a long farewell dinner with some of our departing friends.

Food tour in Bologna

on May 21, 2025November 16, 2025By David Goldstein

After school, we took a fast train from Florence to Bologna. We met up with Cheryl’s sister Suzy and brother-in-law Doug for a food tour of this culinary paradise with Giuseppe, a local guide.

The Great Synagogue of Florence

on May 20, 2025November 16, 2025By David Goldstein

Today we met Suzy and Doug for lunch and then toured the Florence Synagogue and Museum with them. World War II and the Holocaust wiped out most of the Jews of Florence, but since then the community has re-established itself.

Italy’s Political Landscape and dinner at 4 Leoni

on May 19, 2025November 16, 2025By David Goldstein

This morning we had language class, then in the afternoon we attended a fascinating lecture about Italy’s political landscape, followed by a delicious dinner with Cheryl’s sister and brother-in-law.

Certaldo, Winery, and Florence American Cemetery

on May 18, 2025November 16, 2025By David Goldstein

Sunday morning, we checked out of our hotel in Volterra, and began the journey by bus back to Florence. On the way, we visited the medieval city of Certaldo, enjoyed a wine tasting and tour at Villa Le Corti in Chianti, and paid a visit to the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial.

Touring Volterra

on May 17, 2025November 16, 2025By David Goldstein

On the second day of our Road Scholar weekend “field trip” to the beautiful medieval village of Volterra in western Tuscany, our group had a guided tour through the city, followed by a big lunch and some shopping in the afternoon.

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