Florence

It is very good site seeing place and I have gone to this place with my family it is very pleasant to see that place.

we know that it is called as flower of Italy and crucible of renaissance.We have traveled and walked through the streets of city.we came to know that it is one of the stylish places we had never seen before.

We also had a look at great monuments and masterpiece built there.Some of the popular among them were Leonardo da vinci, Galileo etc, I and my friends visited great cathedral church of Santa maria Del fiore. We.We came to know that this church is also known as Florence Cathedral .

We are followed by a tourist guide there to see some of important cities and places.He said about history of Florence .He said that Florence was built and founded in 59 BC .It is one of the center for banking at that times.We learned so many things about history of that place.

Next we headed to Piazza Della signori. We.We had arrived at midst of whirlwind in Florence .We visited prominent places like Vatican, Venice and many other places.The one thing made us stood there only is leaning tower of Pisa.

More beautiful places are located near Florence and we are happy with this trip.

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We went to florence from Rome, and reached at night . The room costs are really high , and at least 20 Euro per person per bed is the rock bottom you could get .

The city of florence is quite vibrant , and you have to have sufficient money if you are thinking of staying here longer , as it's probably the costliest city I came across in Italy , after Rome .

The main cathedral in the city center gives an awesme view . go to the top of it .. it's like 400 + steps , and by the time you are midway , you are totally exhausted .

However the view from the top is quite relaxing . Since Italy has warm climate in June , I would recommend you to go this time of the year . The city of Florence has very vibrant night life , with shops and local vendors elling stuffs until 12 in the night .

Near by is Pisa , so you could visit Pisa by bus or train . And if you want to go to a beach , then there's one near Pisa . On a hot day , attendence on the beach could exceed 2000 people . It's a really nice beach , although the beach has ot much sand shore . Still the place is great . And of course in Pisa you have the Tower of Pisa . I was astonished to see how much it has bent over the years . Entry to the top of it was 15 Euros , so I left out , beside it's not so tall . But it really has bent a lot . You would be really surprised if you have seen it .

On the whole , 1-2 days should be ideal to move around Florence & Pisa

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I would rate Florence as Italy's most beautiful (cultural as well as Natural city). All museums are a must. For stay, I would suggest Michaelangelo area as it is on a little height and the city view in the evening/night is breath taking. From Florence, one can make a day trip to Pisa as well as Pisa is only one hour travel by train with very good train frequency to and fro. And don't forget to try their Gellati (ice creams)-the best ice creams I have ever had so far. I traveld in the month of March and the weather was just beautiful. From London clouds it was great to see Sun almost every day. The food is lovely. There are coir groups performing on almost every square of the city. People from all age group may enjoy a trip to Florence. Beware of pickpockets though one does not need to be as careful as in Rome.

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We were supposed to have a day and a half a day, (and three nights), in FLORENCE. Because of our long stay in Pisa we arrive here at 4 PM. Out hotel was a block off the Arno River and about a kilometer from the central Plazza. We didn't even go up to our hotel rooms when we arrived as we were told the shops were going to close in an hour.

FLORENCE:

Florence Tuscany is 50 m. above sea level. The Arno River runs through the center of the city. Chianti hills, (that we drove through) are in the south and the Fiesole hills, (that we drove though when we left), are in the north. Florence is not a large City and has a population of about 400,000.

THE FIRST NIGHT:

We visited as many stores as we could on two of the main streets. On the street that has a lot of vendors MM and I each bought designer suede sandals with a purse to match. We bought gloves for our Mothers and wallets for our Husbands. Our children each got a pair of designer sunglasses.

There are 3 that branch off from the central Piazza). The one were on had both International designers as well as well as famous local designers. Some of the stores we saw were Ferragamo, Gucci, Miu Miu and Prada. The shops were about to cloths when I found a local dress designer. I convinced her to keep her shop open and I bought a dress there, (that I saw in the Fall Vogue 1982 for thousands of dollars), that cost me $100.00 CAD. The Mexican-American sisters bought two suits each and the lady from Brazil bought one.

We didn't go back to the hotel for their beef or chicken dinner but stayed ate at the best pasta we had in Italy at the 'De'Medici' Restaurant. On the way back we saw a ‘Harry’s Bar’ around the corner from our hotel. We dropped in for one of the bars famous 'screwdriver'. Harry makes his 'screwdrivers' with peach juice.

DAY II:

We had a half-day tour scheduled for today. A local guide led the tour and 'Chico' waved good-bye to us as our Coach left.

We were driven to see the dome Catholic Duomo Cathedral. The nun that showed us the Cathedral told us it was build in 1294. The dome is 142 feet from the floor. She had us move back a few feet and look up because she wanted to feel the sensation of the dome falling down on us! Vasari painted the fresco, (that covers the entire dome), of the 'Last Judgment'. The walls are made from green, white and red marble, (the colors in the flag of Italy). We saw the beautiful stained glass windows that were designed by Ghiberti, a Saints bones incase in glass), a large clock, (designed by Paolo Uccelo), that has the heads of 4 Prophets and two memorials of the 'Mercenary Commanders. I counted every one of the 463 steps as we climbed, (gasping), to the top. I climb was worth it because all of Florence can be seen from this spot.

Our next stop was at the Museum of the Duomo. We were taken to see the Baptistery first. This is one of the oldest buildings in Florence. We entered through one of the bronze doors, (there are 3), and saw the other two. The doors are why tourist come here. A different famous artist designed each. My favorite door was Michelangelo's. On this door we saw 'The doors of Paradise'. The second door was framed with small Statues of the Prophets and Sibyls, (female Prophets). Lorenzo's door depicted the ' the scenes of the Life of the Messiah, the Evangelists and the Doctors of the Church.'

In the Museum we saw the displays of the items that are not being used in the Baptistery, the Campanile and the Duomo.

Our final stop was in front of the Galleria Accademia. I have no idea why as we could not go inside as it was being repaired. All we saw was a 'fake' stature of Michelangelo's 'David' and nothing of his famous 'Palestrina Pietà. What we did see was a group of drugged out kids flopping all over the steps.

THE JEWISH AREA:

Our group went with me to see the Jewish quarter. It was only a 5-minute walk from the Cathedra. The lady at the front desk was kind enough to give me a map with the route to take to reach the Quarter. It was Saturday and the Market and the shops were closed as this is our Shabbat, (Day of Rest). We walked around the peeking into the windows of the shops and we stopped at the Piazza della Repubblica, (that was build over part of the Quarter), on our way back to the Plazza to have a drink.

We didn't go back to the hotel and ate Pizza at the 'La Forca' Cafe. Our day ended with a final drink at 'Harry's Bar'.

SOME THOUGHTS:

I loved Florence and it was my favorite City that I saw in Italy. If you are planning a trip to Italy I hope you'll see Florence.

I have been questioned how I can remember all these things that happened so many years ago. I always take a notebook on every trip. I take pictures and co-ordinate them in a scrapbook, (I have now moved them to a 'memory book'). I also wrote all of my travel reviews on a site that know longer exists.

As were drove away I said 'Arrevidechi' Italy.

©LL

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When it comes to architectural grandeur and art treasures few cities on earth can stand comparison with Florence - the Tuscan city that pioneered the renaissance in Medieval Europe.

Founded by the Romans in the 1st century, Florence did not expand significantly until Carolingian days, but between the 12th and 15th centuries it became the greatest cultural centre in Europe; some might suggest it became the hub of the universe, not only producing magnificient architecture and countless art treasures but forming ideas that form the basis of even 20th century thought.

Florence spreads itself along both banks of the River Arno and is surrounded by hills. Anatole France once wrote, ''... The God who made the hills of Florence was an artist.'' It seems the proud people of this Medieval gem also have art running in their veins because for centuries the Florentines have had a passion for art and it shows.

Despite the onset of mass tourism, Florence, remains a feast for sore eyes: an almost perfectly preserved Renaissance city, a veritable treasure house of fine works of art. It is also colourful with its profusion of yellow ochres and umbers, burnt siennas and terracottas, and orange roofs and domes. Florence couldn't be ugly if it tried, although sometimes you begin to believe that it does try with all the swarms of noisy mopeds and Fiats honking away until the early hours.

There is one place in Florence no visitor should miss ... the Galleria Dell'' Accademia. Founded in 1784, when the Granduke Piertro Leopoldo wanted to collect in a single academy the different schools of drawing that existed in Florence, the Accademia houses a vast collection of Italian paintings from the 13th to the 16th centuries including works by Giovanni do Milano, Pontormo, Santi di Tito and Alessandro Allori. The horrendously long queues that form outside the gallery are, however, to witness the genius that was Michelangelo. Dominating everything is his world renowned David; this colossal statue over 4 meters in height was sculpted from a single block of marble. There are other masterpieces of the great master including four ''unfinished'' statues of the four slaves, and the Palestrina Pieta.

Still on the trail of art treasures we can move along to the Galleria Degli Uffizi which has one of the most important collections in the world. It was started by Francis I de' Medici and his collection was subsequently enriched by Ferdinand I, who transferred various sculptures from the de' Medici Villa in Rome to the Uffizi.

You will discover some of the finest Renaissance art in the world in the Uffizi gallery. There is one huge room which houses the work of Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510) including his much admired Birth of Venus, The Magnificat Madonna, Portrait of Lucrezia and Primavera. Besides the works of Botticelli, the Gallery has halls devoted to the likes of Giotto and the Tuscan primitives, to the Sienese School of the 14th century and to Antonio and Pietro Pollaiolo.

You could spend days touring the art galleries and museums of Florence but you must reserve some time for visiting the Duomo, or cathedral, where Romanesque and Gothic elements are mixed together. The interior, rather severe and majestic, takes the shape of a Latin cross divided into three naves. It is the exterior though that really catches your eye - this huge building is striped in a geometric patchwork of differed coloured marble, topped by an orange dome designed by Brunelleschi, the great Renaissance architect. If you feel energetic you can climb the bell-tower, which was designed by Giotto, and called by Longfellow, ''... the lily of Florence blossoming in stone.''

Built towards the end of the 13th century the Piazza Della Signoria has long been the civic centre of Florentine life and is a place of great beauty and elegance. The square is dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio a 14th palace, once the home of the Medici, but in May and June soccer matches with the players in medieval costumes are held. On long sultry summer evenings the square attracts the young Florentines as well as a host of tourists.

Henry James in referring to Florence wrote ''... One is dealing with a solemn brilliance - a harmony of acute tones - that I am not capable of describing.'' From the Piazzale Michelangelo, you get a superb panoramic view of the great Renaissance city and realize how hard it is to describe the brilliance of Florence, just like Henry James.

Another place well worth visiting is Fiesole up on the hill which affords splendid panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside. It's some 6 km from Florence and is best reached by the No 7 bus from the Piazza San Marco. After the busy streets of Florence, Fiesole is a relaxing sort of place and it's well worth lingering over a capachino and taking in the fine hill scenery.

There is so much to see in Florence but you should set some time aside for shopping for this Tuscan city, enjoys a world-wide reputation for leather goods, fine embroideries, and straw articles.

Copyright : Raymond JG Wells

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When it comes to architectural grandeur and art treasures few cities on earth can stand comparison with Florence - the Tuscan city that pioneered the renaissance in Medieval Europe.

Founded by the Romans in the 1st century, Florence did not expand significantly until Carolingian days, but between the 12th and 15th centuries it became the greatest cultural centre in Europe; some might suggest it became the hub of the universe, not only producing magnificient architecture and countless art treasures but forming ideas that form the basis of even 20th century thought.

Florence spreads itself along both banks of the River Arno and is surrounded by hills. Anatole France once wrote, ''... The God who made the hills of Florence was an artist.'' It seems the proud people of this Medieval gem also have art running in their veins because for centuries the Florentines have had a passion for art and it shows.The artistic infrastructure is nothing short of astounding.

Despite the onset of mass tourism, Florence, remains a feast for sore eyes: an almost perfectly preserved Renaissance city, a veritable treasure house of fine works of art. It is also colourful with its profusion of yellow ochres and umbers, burnt siennas and terracottas, and orange roofs and domes. One of the greatest memories I have of Italy in general and Florence in particular are the colours. Florence couldn't be ugly if it tried, although sometimes you begin to believe that it does try with all the swarms of noisy mopeds and Fiats honking away until the early hours.

There is one place in Florence no visitor should miss ... the''.. Galleria Dell'' Accademia. Founded in 1784, when the Granduke Piertro Leopoldo wanted to collect in a single academy the different schools of drawing that existed in Florence, the Accademia houses a vast collection of Italian paintings from the 13th to the 16th centuries including works by Giovanni do Milano, Pontormo, Santi di Tito and Alessandro Allori. The horendously long queues that form outside the gallery are, however, to witness the genius that was Michelangelo. Dominating everything is his world renowned David; this colossal statue over 4 metres in height was sculpted from a single block of marble. There are other masterpieces of the great master including four ''unfinished'' statues of the four slaves, and the Palestrina Pieta.

Still on the trail of art treasures we can move along to the Galleria Degli Uffizi which has one of the most important collections in the world. It was started by Francis I de' Medici and his collection was subsequently enriched by Ferdinand I, who transferred various sculptures from the de' Medici Villa in Rome to the Uffizi.

You will discover some of the finest Renaissance art in the world in the Uffizi gallery. There is one huge room which houses the work of Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510) including his much admired Birth of Venus, The Magnificat Madonna, Portrait of Lucrezia and Primavera. Besides the works of Botticelli, the Gallery has halls devoted to the likes of Giotto and the Tuscan primitives, to the Sienese School of the 14th century and to Antonio and Pietro Pollaiolo.

The National Museum of the Bargello houses a priceless collection of Tuscan Renaissance sculptures by Cellini, Giambologna and Verrocchio as well as some of Michelangelo's early works such as his bust of Brutus (1504).

You could spend days touring the art galleries and museums of Florence but you must reserve some time for visiting the Duomo, or cathedral, where Romanesque and Gothic elements are mixed together. The interior, rather severe and majestic, takes the shape of a Latin cross divided into three naves. It is the exterior though that really catches your eye - this huge building is striped in a geometric patchwork of differed colored marble, topped by an orange dome designed by Brunelleschi, the great Renaissance architect. If you feel energetic you can climb the bell-tower, which was designed by Giotto, and called by Longfellow, ''... the lily of Florence blossoming in stone.''

The church of Santa Croce is a fine example of Florentine Gothic architecture - and, like the cathedral, has an exterior of striped marble. There is a monument to Dante and the tombs of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo, and other distinguished citizens, which makes the church a Who's Who of Florence's remarkable past.

Built towards the end of the 13th century the Piazza Della Signoria has long been the civic centre of Florentine life and is a place of great beauty and elegance. The square is dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio a 14th palace, once the home of the Medici, but in May and June soccer matches with the players in medieval costimes are held. On long sultry summer evenings the square attracts the young Florentines as well as a host of tourists.

Henry James in referring to Florence wrote ''... One is dealing with a solemn brilliance - a harmony of acute tones - that I am not capable of describing.'' From the Piazzale Michelangelo, you get a superb panoramic view of the great Renaissance city and realize how hard it is to describe the brilliance of Florence, just like Henry James.

The best way to explore this perfectly-preserved 15th century jewel is on foot but be warned - the streets are still paved with uneven flagstones. For ladies I would suggest foresaking stilletos in favour of flat shoes.Take a trip to the Ponte Vecchio, or Old Bridge, the most ancient and characteristic bridge in Florence, dating back to 1345. It is flanked by a host of goldsmiths and jewelers and during World War II, Adolf Hitler, thought it so quaint that he ordered the German troops to leave it standing.

Another place well worth visiting is Fiesole up on the hill which affords splendid panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside. It's some 6 km from Florence and is best reached by the No 7 bus from the Piazza San Marco. After the busy streets of Florence, Fiesole is a relaxing sort of place and it's well worth lingering over a cappachino and taking in the fine hill scenery.I loved my dar tour of the place.

There is so much to see in Florence but you should set some time aside for shopping for this Tuscan city, enjoys a world-wide reputation for leather goods, fine embroideries, and straw articles. You will find embroidered linens are plentiful in the little shops in Por San Maria, which is near the Ponte Vecchio, while the elegant stores in Via de Tournabuoni and the famous straw market just off Via Calzaiuoli, are excellent haunts for shopping. The Pitti area is good for antiques, clothing and furnishing fabrics and another Florentine speciality is marbelised paper which is used to cover the likes of albums, picture frames, pencil cases, and boxes of all shapes and sizes.

If you haven't yet visited this gem of a city you should pledge that you will see Florence- if you don't you will have missed seeing one of the loveliest cities in the world.!

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