Often consider “Rome Light”, Florence is the city of the Medici and art galore. Despite this, there is an odd modern influence in this hallowed city.
Florence
When it came to the Renaissance, Florence was definitely one of the places to be. The city is full of examples of the past whether from great artist, architecture or significant sites. The city center dominates travel guides, but gardens and interesting sites can be seen by just strolling through the city.
Head to the Santa Maria Novella Church and you are in a ritzy section of town. High-end shops abound as do the headquarters of world famous fashion houses such as Versace and Ferragamo. The Basso Fortress is worth a look, but has been turned into more or less a modern convention center.
For evenings, you want to stroll over to the Santo Spirito Oltrarano area where you will find tons of cafes. The area is particularly nice because it contains the Medici’s Boboli Gardens, which are definitely worth exploring with their fountains, walkways and, well, gardens. Just go.
When it comes to art, Florence matches up with many of the top destinations in Europe. You’ll find museums with Michelangelo’s David and famous paintings from a variety of artists. The museums tend to be packed, so be prepared. Still, it is definitely one of those things you have to do.
The Florence Twist
I may be burned at the stake for saying this, but I found Florence to be largely forgettable. There is no disputing the cities place in history nor the incredible architecture, art and gardens throughout it. Something about the place, however, feels artificial. It is as though Florence has become a modern city, but parades it’s past solely for the all mighty tourist currency. Then again, I could be wrong.
Regardless of your feelings about Florence, it is a city you should definitely visit for the art. I’ve rarely stayed more than two days, and usually only if I’ve missed a train.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Discover The Beauty Of Tuscany Italy
Every time I write about Tuscany Italy, my heart and my whole body for that matter experiences an intense feeling of calmness. I know exactly that this feeling comes from the relaxed atmosphere that this part of Italy near Florence gives off. I have found a perfect balance of enjoying the fascinating city of Florence and its cultural activities at the same time I refurbish energy by either doing a farm holiday or staying in a luxury villa in the countryside of Tuscany.
Wallow in Luxury in Tuscany Italy
The words ‘luxury’ and ‘farm’ might scare you away, firstly because everyone associates luxury with expensive and farm with very little comfort. Let me tell you of some fantastic places where I have been and you will see how this is much more gratifying than staying at a hotel in the city centre.
The Fattoria il Lago farmhouse is found about 40 kilometres north-east of Florence, just outside the small town of Dicomano, hidden away in the olive tree covered Tuscan hillsides. The extensive property houses three areas which are referred to as villages, each having apartment accommodations and an entirely different landscape to admire. The main lodging building is called La Villa and has a pleasurable view of the Dicomano Valley. Just a short walk away you find Lago village with its corresponding pool accompanied by a beautiful garden. The third area is the most quaint sleeping quarters called Macerato, embedded among all the hues of green possible. This kind of vacation rental is as comfortable and reposeful as the luxury villas, only that you are sharing a common ground with other tourists. When you get your Tuscany car rental, you should ask for a good map and maybe even ask them if they can give more explicit directions towards Dicomano being as the farmhouse is found off other country roads. Usually any holiday home in Tuscany offers the option of giving full directions when booking and also being picked up at nearby train or bus stations. You just have to let them know beforehand.
The 11th c. medieval monastery of San Lorenzo a Linari in Sovicille, south of Siena is one of those vacation rental places in Tuscany where you can have it all and still have your own breathing space, having your freedom from stress. This magnificent lodging is individual apartments tempting you with Tuscany tours such as viewing the hillside and mountains seated in a four-wheel drive vehicle, horse-back riding or an aerial view from a hot-air balloon. And if you do not want to miss out on the lovely beaches, there are excursions to the Mediterranean seashore, too.
Staying in Tuscany in the Chiantii area in the luxury villa estate called Villa de Dievole near the old town of Vagliali. As all villas used to belong to the Italian noble class, the exclusiveness and privacy is incomparable. The decoration in many has been respected in the restoration process, therefore you are living among many centuries of history. This 16th century villa has rooms and suites with a private guesthouse, too.
Without overtaxing one’s strength, your Tuscany Italy holiday tours can be choked full of emotions and peacefulness.
Wallow in Luxury in Tuscany Italy
The words ‘luxury’ and ‘farm’ might scare you away, firstly because everyone associates luxury with expensive and farm with very little comfort. Let me tell you of some fantastic places where I have been and you will see how this is much more gratifying than staying at a hotel in the city centre.
The Fattoria il Lago farmhouse is found about 40 kilometres north-east of Florence, just outside the small town of Dicomano, hidden away in the olive tree covered Tuscan hillsides. The extensive property houses three areas which are referred to as villages, each having apartment accommodations and an entirely different landscape to admire. The main lodging building is called La Villa and has a pleasurable view of the Dicomano Valley. Just a short walk away you find Lago village with its corresponding pool accompanied by a beautiful garden. The third area is the most quaint sleeping quarters called Macerato, embedded among all the hues of green possible. This kind of vacation rental is as comfortable and reposeful as the luxury villas, only that you are sharing a common ground with other tourists. When you get your Tuscany car rental, you should ask for a good map and maybe even ask them if they can give more explicit directions towards Dicomano being as the farmhouse is found off other country roads. Usually any holiday home in Tuscany offers the option of giving full directions when booking and also being picked up at nearby train or bus stations. You just have to let them know beforehand.
The 11th c. medieval monastery of San Lorenzo a Linari in Sovicille, south of Siena is one of those vacation rental places in Tuscany where you can have it all and still have your own breathing space, having your freedom from stress. This magnificent lodging is individual apartments tempting you with Tuscany tours such as viewing the hillside and mountains seated in a four-wheel drive vehicle, horse-back riding or an aerial view from a hot-air balloon. And if you do not want to miss out on the lovely beaches, there are excursions to the Mediterranean seashore, too.
Staying in Tuscany in the Chiantii area in the luxury villa estate called Villa de Dievole near the old town of Vagliali. As all villas used to belong to the Italian noble class, the exclusiveness and privacy is incomparable. The decoration in many has been respected in the restoration process, therefore you are living among many centuries of history. This 16th century villa has rooms and suites with a private guesthouse, too.
Without overtaxing one’s strength, your Tuscany Italy holiday tours can be choked full of emotions and peacefulness.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
An Overview of Italy for Travelers
Rome, the Winter Olympics, Wine, Ferrari, beautiful beaches – Italy has it all. If you are considering traveling to Italy, here are some things you should know.
An Overview of Italy for Travelers
From a European perspective, there is little doubt that Italy is the foundation of modern society in the West. This is conclusion is primarily due to two facts, the reign of the Romans and the Roman Catholic Church.
In more modern times, Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor Emmanuel II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito Mussolini established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II.
A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of the European Economic Community. It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared to the prosperous north.
If you are going to Italy, here are some basic things you need to know.
1. Northern Italy is wealthy while the south is not.
2. Italy is slightly larger than the state of Arizona.
3. Italy's climate is predominantly Mediterranean with Alpine in far north and hot, dry areas in the south.
4. Vatican City in Rome is considered an independent country.
5. You cannot get into any area of the Vatican wearing shorts.
6. Rome had the first paved streets in the world in 170 B.C. Vehicles had to be banned because of traffic jams!
7. Roman gladiators were the first athletes to endorse products.
8. Considered one of the oddest Emperors, Caligula appointed his horse to a senate position among other more infamous actions.
9. Roman statutes were very utilitarian. The heads could be removed and replaced to reflect the changes in political climate.
10. When the Roman army lost a battle, they really took it hard. Commanders would kill every tenth soldier under their command. This act is the root of the word “decimate.”
11. Surprising to many is the fact there were significant time periods where ancient Rome had no Emperor. The senate would rule. In times of threat, the senate would elect a person as Emperor. He had absolute power, giving rise to the term dictator.
12. Vast percentages of Romans died from lead poisoning. They used is as a sweetener!
13. In the early 1900’s, Prince Piero Ginori Conti invented the geothermal pump. He is considered the father of modern geothermal power.
14. 20 Italians have won the Nobel Prize.
15. Michelangelo's real name is Michelangelo Buonarroti.
16. The population of Italy as of 2005 was 58,103,033 people.
17. The flag of Italy was inspired by the French flag brought in 1797 by Napoleon.
18. Lehman Brothers owns seven percent of Ferrari.
19. Italy trails only Brazil in World Cup wins.
Italy is an amazing country with colorful, animated people. From ancient culture to a bustling modern country, a trip to Italy is hard to beat.
An Overview of Italy for Travelers
From a European perspective, there is little doubt that Italy is the foundation of modern society in the West. This is conclusion is primarily due to two facts, the reign of the Romans and the Roman Catholic Church.
In more modern times, Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor Emmanuel II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito Mussolini established a Fascist dictatorship. His disastrous alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II.
A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy was a charter member of the European Economic Community. It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification. Persistent problems include illegal immigration, organized crime, corruption, high unemployment, sluggish economic growth, and the low incomes and technical standards of southern Italy compared to the prosperous north.
If you are going to Italy, here are some basic things you need to know.
1. Northern Italy is wealthy while the south is not.
2. Italy is slightly larger than the state of Arizona.
3. Italy's climate is predominantly Mediterranean with Alpine in far north and hot, dry areas in the south.
4. Vatican City in Rome is considered an independent country.
5. You cannot get into any area of the Vatican wearing shorts.
6. Rome had the first paved streets in the world in 170 B.C. Vehicles had to be banned because of traffic jams!
7. Roman gladiators were the first athletes to endorse products.
8. Considered one of the oddest Emperors, Caligula appointed his horse to a senate position among other more infamous actions.
9. Roman statutes were very utilitarian. The heads could be removed and replaced to reflect the changes in political climate.
10. When the Roman army lost a battle, they really took it hard. Commanders would kill every tenth soldier under their command. This act is the root of the word “decimate.”
11. Surprising to many is the fact there were significant time periods where ancient Rome had no Emperor. The senate would rule. In times of threat, the senate would elect a person as Emperor. He had absolute power, giving rise to the term dictator.
12. Vast percentages of Romans died from lead poisoning. They used is as a sweetener!
13. In the early 1900’s, Prince Piero Ginori Conti invented the geothermal pump. He is considered the father of modern geothermal power.
14. 20 Italians have won the Nobel Prize.
15. Michelangelo's real name is Michelangelo Buonarroti.
16. The population of Italy as of 2005 was 58,103,033 people.
17. The flag of Italy was inspired by the French flag brought in 1797 by Napoleon.
18. Lehman Brothers owns seven percent of Ferrari.
19. Italy trails only Brazil in World Cup wins.
Italy is an amazing country with colorful, animated people. From ancient culture to a bustling modern country, a trip to Italy is hard to beat.
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