Florence, Italy

Posted on Saturday, January 07, 2012

The Crown of the Renaissance, Florence is a jewel.  Most Italy tours only spend two days there so time is of the essence in order to see all the main sights.  Your sightseeing tour should include Piazza Michaelangelo for the magnificent view of the city, the Duomo (cathedral with fabulous Brunelleschi Dome), Baptistry Doors of bronze and famous Piazza Signoria.   This tour takes a half day.    On your own, you must cross overthe Arno River on the Pontevecchio and shop at leisure for Florentine gold trinkets.   On the other side is the Pitti Palace art museum and Boboli Gardens which allows for a lovely stroll among the topiaries.  Whether you are an art lover or not, the Uffizi Gallery has a collection of the world’s finest art by the great masters such as Michaelangelo, Da Vinci, Botticelli and more.   Tickets can be purchased in advance on the net to avoid long lines.  You also cannot leave Florence without seeing the world famous David at the Accademia.  It’s amazing to see in person and there are many other wonderful sculptures there.

For relaxing, all of the piazzas have gelato shops and around each corner is a fabulous leather goods shop.  If you have an extra day, you can take day trips to anywhere in Tuscany such as Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano, Chianti Country and more.  There are also cooking classes, olive oil tastings, chocolate and wine tastings…

Florence has something for everyone.

Italy: Art and Culture

Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2012

Italy has been witness to the birth of two of the most powerful and influential forces in not only Europe, but the Western World. The mark the Romans left on the world is not only cultural but the evidence of their highly sophisticated society is no more abundant than in the heart of the former Empire itself, Rome.

Almost 1000 years after the fall of the ancient Roman Empire, Italy again (this time with Florence leading the way) became the cultural capital of the world, the Renascence (not just an art movement, but an intellectual awakening, an explosion of science, technology and discovery that changed the way the people of Europe operated and saw themselves) flourished here.

Florence is still today the undisputed capital of Renascence Art, fueled by the Medici Family in the late 1400’s and into the 1600’s the city was host to Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Donatello and a who’s who of art science and philosophy legends . People still visit the city today to witness for themselves the beauty and perfection in painting, sculpture and architecture that was created during this time. Some of the cities most famous and visited museums include the Accademia and the Uffuzi.

Rome was never far behind Florence in this cultural awakening and is home to the Vatican City, home to the Vatican Museums and the roof of the Sistine Chapel so famously painted by Michelangelo as well as his ‘Last Judgment’. People also flock to Rome from every corner of the globe for religious pilgrimages, to St. Peters Basilica, home of the Catholic Church and the Vatican City, located in the heart of Rome.

Venice also provides a totally unique experience with it’s canals, bridges, gondolas, the Basilica of St Mark and the square, reputed to be one of the most beautiful and romantic in the world.

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Things to do While on a Tour in Florence

Posted on Tuesday, November 01, 2011

La Piazza Della Signoria Florence

Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2011

"What’s the best vantage point to ponder the most illustrious town square in Florence, the Signoria? An outdoor table in the venerable Caffè Rivoire – preferably over a delicious, if not painfully expensive cioccolata con pane, a dark and mud-thick hot chocolate. Late at night, when the crowds have gone, you can search the long shadows and imagine that very little has changed here since the 1400s. The Signoria is the most elegant sculpture garden in Europe. Masterpieces include the splendid Neptune Fountain by Ammannati, Hercules and Cacus by Bandinelli and a precise copy of Michelangelo’s David, all strategically poised in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. This grand public space has been the centerpiece of Florence since the 15th Century, the golden age when the city was established as the most beautiful in Europe. Eminent merchants in their ostentatious finery met here to discuss business in the midst of Florence’s raucous daily life."

Florence, Italy

Posted on Thursday, October 06, 2011

AN AFTERNOON IN FLORENCE

When we travel, my husband and I enjoy the half day city sightseeing tours to get acquainted with a destination.  However, rather than choose another tour for the afternoon, we enjoy getting to know the ambiance, local shops and people.   After a visit to the Academy to see the famous Michaelangelo’s David as well as the artist’s numerous unfinished and fascinating sculptures, we went to the Arno River.   The only bridge to survive World War II was the Ponte Vecchio and it is a must!  It’s a short walk actross the Arno with lovely little open air jewelers and other shops and when you arrive at the south end of the bridge, there are charming outdoor dining venues with incredible pasta.   After relaxing over a leisurely lunch, walk just a few steps to the fabulous Pitti Palace.  This was originally owned by a Pitti but is famous as the residence of the infamous Medici family.  It’s a small art museum and the Boboli Gardens behind the museum are also well worth a look.   Besides lush plantings, there are waterfalls, reflecting pools, sculptures and an amazing view of Florence itself as it is up on a hill.  Great photo ops…

Written by: Laura U
laura@atlastravelweb.com