November 19th, 2008
Art lovers love to pay a visit to Florence because the artwork is breathtaking. Some of the most famous pieces reside in the Uffizi Gallery and in various museums throughout the city. The city itself is an incredible piece of art. This is because of the architecture and the history behind a lot of that architecture.
The history in itself is amazing. When you look around the city and you see how some of the buildings are constructed, it is hard to believe that you’re looking at pieces of art that were constructed between 400 and 800 years ago. Some of the art is also from that same span of time.
You have artwork by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and many others. While you’re at it, you can visit the National Archaeological Museum, the Academy Gallery, and many others. There is definitely not a shortage of galleries and art in Florence.
Just make sure you always get your tickets in advance. Some have been known to stand in the line of the Uffizi Gallery for five hours and never make it in. This is something that you don’t want to happen to you. If you get tickets, you can go right to the door because you’ve already paid your way. It is a shame to have to look back at those standing in a long line hoping to see the works of art by many of the famous artists that we have only read about in history books.
So make sure you check out the artwork in Florence even if you are not a fan of art. You’re going to be amazed at the visions of the artists and how they transferred those visions onto the canvas. Some of it seems not humanly possible, but obviously it was. It is just trying to figure out what was going through their mind when they did it.
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November 12th, 2008
Young people find Florence fascinating as well. That is why a lot of families take family holidays in Florence. There are a lot of educational opportunities such as libraries, museums, churches, monuments, lots of architecture, courses, studies, and so much more. A lot of students who wish to study abroad find Florence a great place to do just that. It allows them to see a different part of the world and learn about a completely different culture.
For students, Florence offers affordable housing options. There are old style hostels, which is the most common type of room and board that is offered to young people in Florence. There may also be monasteries that young individuals can stay at and those monasteries are still run by nuns. These are both great options, especially if you’re traveling on a budget.
In the meantime, that money saved can be spent shopping at the Piazza dei Ciompi. The reason why this is a great place to shop is because there are second-hand flea markets open on the last Sunday of the month. The S. Lorenzo Market northwest of Duomo is also a nice place to shop.
Furthermore, you have to worry about eating. The good news is that there are cafés and other affordable eateries that will keep you fed. You don’t have to worry about starving because the food is too expensive. As a matter of fact, it is the complete opposite. You can eat well on a budget.
So there you have it, young people can travel to Florence and be comfortable. Whether on vacation or for educational reasons, there is a way to do it all cheaply. Even those who are not students can travel on a budget. It is just a matter of knowing what to look for and where to look for it at.
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November 5th, 2008
Do you want to visit the Red Room in Palazzo Vecchio? Then again, do you know what the Red Room is? If not, then here is a rundown of what the Red Room is and why you may want to add it to your itinerary.
First of all, the Red Room has literally been one of the most beautiful places for residents of Florence to get married. It is literally one of the top ten places for people to get married in the world. One of the other popular places you know of is Las Vegas. Well, think of this as the little wedding chapel in Florence. The only difference is that it is Red and it is old.
However, over time the Red Room needed some work. This room has that eighteenth century touch that you will not find anywhere else. It is quite unique with its red carpet, red velvet covered chairs, and so much more. The doors are even made out of wood. However, much of what you will see is not the original material of the room. The government had to more or less renovate it because it had undergone a lot of wear and tear over the years. To this day there is somewhere around 100 weddings conducted. Many of those weddings are couples that are not from Florence, but from other places around the world.
In the meantime, these couples very easily fall in love with the city. What’s great about getting married in the Red Room is that couples are able to take their honeymoon in Florence as well. They can explore the Tuscan countryside and they can take one or more of the many tours in the area. There is a lot to do for a newly married couple. What makes it even more perfect is when that beginning is in the Red Room. This is literally the epitome of making memories that will last.
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November 1st, 2008
Upon entering Florence, Italy it is easy to see that the architecture is amazing, but what one will notice is that some of the architecture is rather gothic in nature. This is a style that really took off in the 15th century, although it had already been widespread in France 300 years before that.
What one will notice about these structures is that there are rather skeletal in nature. You’ll notice the long stained glass windows. They are usually the main focus of the building and they are eerily beautiful. The columns may also be clustered and there are incredible spires on top of the buildings. There are pointed arches and flying buttresses. It makes you wonder how such magnificent structures were constructed hundreds of years ago. It is rather amazing and fascinating at the same time.
You’ll be surprised to find that the gothic structures in Florence are created from native stones. Did it take a long time to build these structures? Of course it did. Many buildings in Florence went hundreds of years before they were finished. Whether it was adding a spire or another small element, the buildings were not considered completely finished until these elements were added.
So make sure you explore the gothic structures in Florence. Actually, you should make sure you explore all of the magnificent structures that the city has to offer. This is because you’re going to be taken back by how amazing it all is. Now just wait until you get to go inside one of these structures. You’re going to make all of your friends and family back home jealous. That means you need to make sure you take plenty of pictures so that you can prove to them what you see and what you do. You’ll also have the memories for years to come.
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October 31st, 2008
When staying in Florence for a prolonged period of time, you may want to consider an apartment. This is because it is going to prove to be more cost efficient than if you were to pay a per night rate to a hotel. You can actually enjoy a Florence apartment for anywhere between 300 and 1200 Euros. Because these apartments vary greatly in size, your price is going to vary, but 300 Euros is pretty affordable when you take into consideration that the stay may be a week. That’s if you’re not too concerned about some of the amenities that may be available to you.
How much you pay is going to depend on what it is you need and like. But what you can expect is that your apartment is furnished. What is renting an apartment if you have no furniture? That would be crazy if you had to sit on a floor or order out every single day for food. You have everything that you need at your disposal so that you can live like you would if you were at home. However, you want to feel even more comfortable than what you do at home.
You can expect to find ranges, washers, dryers, sofas, recliners, televisions, and much more. Of course you’ll find your bed and all of your bathroom amenities. Just make sure that you look around and take a look at what is important to you. If there is something that you can do without, then do without it. That might reduce your cost, but make sure first. As long as you exercise due diligence, you can find the best apartment in Florence that suits your taste. It is a vacation, so you need to be able to enjoy it to its fullest. Anything less does not even deserve your attention.
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October 26th, 2008
Italy is literally a treasure chest of heritage and culture. You open it up and the treasures fall all over the place. The next thing you know, you’re buried in food, wine, history, and culture. Perhaps that is why Italy is on the very top of the European tour list and Florence is the city to go see.
Florence sits in the heart of Tuscany, which means there are beautiful sights close by. This is why you need to take a Florence Hills tour. You’re going to be touring the hills of Florence and reveling in their rolling nature and the vast planes that make them seem as if they stand taller than ever.
What’s great is that you don’t have to venture too far from Florence in order to take a Florence Hills tour. All you have to do is take a 5 mile drive to drive through the hills and experience the pure ambience and the solitude of these beautiful hills. You probably think you have seen hills in the past, but the truth is that you have never seen hills quite like these.
If you want to walk and not drive, you can take a two hour walk to Fiesole, where you can just wander around It is very easy to spend two or three hours wandering around here and you’ll have a good time doing it. Just make sure you are energetic and know you can make the walk back. If you can’t, then you might have to hail public transportation to take you back to your hotel.
If you have an entire day to spare, you can look into tours that will take you through Florence Hills and even through other areas in Tuscany. You may get to enjoy the wine vineyards and even taste a little bit of the wine in Tuscany, which is fantastic.
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October 22nd, 2008
There are things that you have to see when visiting Florence, Italy. There is no exception. If you come to this grand city, then you are most likely there to experience great cuisine, art, architecture, culture, and wine. You may also be there to tour the beautiful countryside and just have a peaceful time. No matter your reason for being there, there are just those things that you need to do. What are those things? Read below to find out:
Galleria dell’Accademia – There is a possibility that this is the first art school in Florence. As for the paintings that are housed here, they are mostly by Florentine artists that lived somewhere between the 13th and 16th centuries. If you love gothic art, this is the place to see it.
Michelangelo’s David – At eighteen feet tall, you can’t miss this masterpiece. David was created from a single block of marble when Michelangelo was just 29 years old.
The Duomo – If you want to get technical, the Duomo is officially called the Basilica Santa Maria del Fiori. With that said, it is probably to just stick with calling it the Duomo. The best Florentine artists worked on this cathedral. It actually took 150 years for it to be crafted. It was first finished in 1367, but it wasn’t until 1415 that the dome was completed.
Ghiberti’s Doors – This is also called the New Sacristy and it is the final resting place for the Medici rulers. It was designed by Michelangelo as a funeral chapel.
The Uffizi – You cannot miss out on this and you’re better off if you make your reservations in advanced so that you’re guaranteed to get into the Uffizi. Lines can be up to 5 hours long to get in because it is that popular.
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October 22nd, 2008
Florence not only considers itself a region that consists of some of the greatest culinary traditions, but it also considers itself the birthplace of a lot of Western cooking traditions. That’s right. If you life in the United States and Canada, then some of the food that you have experienced probably has roots in Florence.
While it is hard to tell whether or not the above is really true or not, the truth is that a lot of the cuisine that individuals experience while on holiday in Florence is unlike the cuisine anywhere else. The traveler is easily rewarded with excellent food and a good time.
When looking for a place to eat in Florence, some of the cheapest places can be found around the railway station. The more expensive restaurants can be found in the middle of town. If you’re looking for moderately priced, you can go over to Oltrarno. However, this is considered the less respectable part of town and is on the other side of the river.
Just make a point to order dishes that are traditional to the area. This is so you can try something you have never experienced before. You don’t want to eat the same stuff that you can eat at home. You want something different. You need to experience the different seasonings that are used in their soups and other dishes. You’ll also find that extra-virgin olive oil is a prime choice of cooks in the area. It is highly regarded in Florence.
As for the dishes, don’t be surprised at all of the bruschetta in the region and some of the pastas. Anything dealing with stale bread is prime choice. However, it is seasoned to where you don’t care that the bread is stale. The food is outright delicious, which makes coming to Florence worth it in itself.
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October 22nd, 2008
Not all cars alike and the same can be said for car rental services. You aren’t going to find any two that are the same. This means that they’re going to be different in their procedures, their deals, and in how they allow you to rent the car. However, it should not be a task that is too difficult, meaning you should be able to rent a car in Florence without much issue at all.
Do you really need to rent a car in Florence?
A lot of the attractions in Florence are within walking distance, so this can be a very good question. You may not need to rent one at all unless you plan going over to the Tuscan countryside or you wish to visit another city that is near Florence. Don’t decide automatically to rent a car because you may not need to. Make sure you put this into your itinerary very carefully. If you want to travel to other places without the restriction of public transportation, then this is a way to do that.
What kind of car should you have?
You can choose from economy cars, luxury cars, mini vans, etc. The ability to rent any type of car you need is the same as anywhere else in the world. Just because you’re in Italy doesn’t mean that is any different. Some rental car companies even allow you to rent hybrid cars to save on fuel and to do a little something to the environment.
If you need to, you can even make the decision to drop your car off at a different location if you need to. You never know when this might be a necessity. Just make sure this is included in your itinerary as well. Chances are you’re going to be a long way from home when you visit Florence, so make sure you plan every detail, including the rental of a car.
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October 22nd, 2008
Parks, gardens, architecture, fragrance, art, and culture come together to create a city that goes by the name of Florence. This city is nestled in Italy and is a prime tourist attraction. It has so much to offer and is a great place for couples and for families. It is both educational and leisurely. But what are the REAL reasons behind why you should visit Florence?
Go to church! There are fine churches in Florence with great architecture and culture. You would not believe the history of some of these churches, but you will definitely find out when you get there.
Get some exercise! You can walk Florence on foot, which can do a lot for your health. Okay, that may not be the reason why you walk, but you will definitely get exercise as you check out everything.
Don’t forget about the Palazzos. The palazzos are historical. They contain artistic elements, vendors, and so much more.
Go to get drunk! Okay, you may not want to get drunk, but if you’re going to be wine tasting, you’re going to get a bit tipsy.
The nightlife is fantastic! The nightlife is something you have to experience. There are pubs, clubs, and vibrant parties that will have you partying until the sun comes up.
As you walk, check out the bridges. You’re probably wondering why bridges are so important, but you’ll see when you get there.
One of the largest and oldest universities in Italy is the University of Florence and it is worth a gander.
- The Uffizi is worth every penny of your trip. You will see some of the most popular and historical paintings in the world.
The shopping! The shopping is amazing, so you need to check out everything.
Check out the festivals. You have to check out the festivals because they are cultural, artistic, and they have great food and music.
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