One of my most moving experiences was my visit to see this wonderful sculpture by Michelangelo. I never expected anything so grand, or large. It is difficult to fathom how anyone can use one piece of marble and sculpt something of such magnitude…Read More

One of my most moving experiences was my visit to see this wonderful sculpture by Michelangelo. I never expected anything so grand, or large. It is difficult to fathom how anyone can use one piece of marble and sculpt something of such magnitude and detail.

The original statue is contained in the museum Galleria dell'Accademia. There are also other pieces of the artist's work. When I first saw the statue, I did not realize that the David that it was named for was the David mentioned in the bible, who slew the giant, Goliath, even though the slingshot is also part of the sculpture. Our guide even pointed out to us a small hernia in David's anatomy. That is how detailed this amazing work of art is!

Originally the sculpture was placed in the Palazzo Vecchio, but later moved indoors to its present location. The statue was completed in about 1504. A copy of the statue is now located in the Palazzo Vecchio. Currently, the statue is undergoing cleaning. This marvelous sight is something not to be missed. It was a moving experience, especially for those of us who are artistically challenged.

Five centuries BC, during Etruscan times, fortified hilltown Fesole was the only settlement in the area (8km from the present day Florence). First settlement on the banks of the Arno River was founded as a colony of the Etruscan city of Fiesole in about 200…Read More

Five centuries BC, during Etruscan times, fortified hilltown Fesole was the only settlement in the area (8km from the present day Florence). First settlement on the banks of the Arno River was founded as a colony of the Etruscan city of Fiesole in about 200 BC when the Romans spanned the Arno River with a bridge. It was built on the foot of the hill of San Giorgio but destroyed in 82 BC during the Roman civil wars. The Roman colony was established here again in 59 BC. A new town arose on the north bank, peopled not only by natives from the area but also by retired veterans from the Cesar’s legions. Piazza del Republica was the old Forum and Via degli Strozzi its main street called then the Decumamus Maximus. Around 3rd century AD the city’s population had reached about 10,000. The inhabitants surrounded the town by first circle of walls and called it Florentia. Speculations connected the city's name to the Latin for the Flowery meadow on which the town was built, or from the word florens , meaning to flourish. Or it may have derived from the Ludi Floreales, the spring games held to honor the goddess Flora. Later in the Middle ages it became Fiorenza (after Latin fiorente) and then Firenze. In 1001, the Margrave Ugo transferred the region’s capital from Lucca to Florence. In 1078 Countess Mathilda of Tuscia supervised the construction of new fortifications, and in the year of her death (1115) granted Florence the status of an independent city. The city became a free comune and by 1138 twelve consuls, assisted by the Council of One Hundred, ruled it. Around 1200, the first Arti (Guilds) were formed to promote the interests of traders and bankers in the face of conflict between the pro-imperial Ghibelline faction and the pro-papal Guelphs. The florin, 1st minted in silver in 1325, and soon after in gold, was used as common currency across Europe. The political rise of Cosimo de' Medici, later dubbed Cosimo il Vecchio ("the Old"), was to some extent due to his family's sympathies with the smaller guilds. Legend claims that the Medici family were descended from Averado, a Carolingian knight. He killed a giant in a battle near Florence. During the fight his shield received 6 blows from the giant’s mace. Charlemagne allowed Averado to represent the dents as red balls on his coat of arms. Others say the balls has been exalted origins – they were cupping glasses recalling the family’s origins as doctors (medici). The Medici fortune had been made by the banking prowess of Cosimo's father, Giovanni Bicci de' Medici who became banker to the Pope, and Cosimo used the power conferred by wealth very well. Through his patronage of such figures as Brunelleschi and Donatello, Florence became the center of artistic activity in Italy. You know the rest of the story. Close

In Florence, take your time to wander. Cross over into Oltrarno (the other side of the river) and wander down the banks of the Arno. We took a stroll in the evening and saw otters splashing near the banks! Search for antiques…Read More

In Florence, take your time to wander. Cross over into Oltrarno (the other side of the river) and wander down the banks of the Arno. We took a stroll in the evening and saw otters splashing near the banks! Search for antiques on Via Maggio. Hike up the hill behind the old tower for a great view of the Florence skyline from the bus parking lot.

Wander through the San Lorenzo street market (not really off the beaten path, but fun none-the-less). Try to find the cheesiest souvenier & take a picture of it. Search through booths of leather jackets, silk ties, pashima wool scarves and find the best deal. Buy a few scenic postcards to keep in your travel journal/scrapbook.

Think about seeing an opera. Even if you aren't an opera fan and can't understand it, it's the quintessential Italy experience. You can have any unsold seats for L15,000 (this was the price on my first trip in 1998) by heading to the box office an hour or so before the performance begins. I decided to see the opera at the last minute and ended up sitting one row behind friends who had bought L40,000 seats the week before!

Catch the #7 bus out to Fiesole, and wander the back streets. There are great views of Florence here as well. If there is a production in the ampitheater, check it out. We couldn't afford to shell out the L25,000 for tickets to the ballet that was going on, but we walked along the side of the ampitheater (down the street to the right of the entrance) and watched the performance for free from the street through the fence. The wings (of the stage) blocked a bit of the show, and there were a few tree branches in the way, but we had a memorable evening all it cost was the bus ride.

There is nothing in the world quite like gelato. The Italian version of ice cream, it is an experience all its own. No day in Italy feels complete without a taste of the amazing treat. Gelato is richer, creamier, and smoother than American ice…Read More

There is nothing in the world quite like gelato. The Italian version of ice cream, it is an experience all its own. No day in Italy feels complete without a taste of the amazing treat.

Gelato is richer, creamier, and smoother than American ice cream. It's dipped out with a wide-spatula type spoon, and comes in more flavors you could dream of. (In Turin a few years ago, I ran across a place that sold rose and violet flavors!)

For L3,000-L6,000 (depending on location - the more "touristy" the city, the higher the price of course) you can have your choice of 2 to 3 flavors of heaven. My favorites are fior di latte (a creamy white almost vanilla like flavor), fragola (strawberry), stracciatella (chocolate chip) and niocciola (hazelnut). Ask for a "cono" (cone) or "copeta" (cup). Or just point and use sign language.

In Florence, try Vivoli's, near Santa Croce. Just get near the church and ask where it is (or follow the trail of cone wrappers and napkins on the ground). Grab a cone or cup and spot on a bench outside the church and people watch for a while. (We like to look for the person with the craziest shoes.) Also, the Mio Bar near Piazza de Repubblica has decent prices and good-sized scoops.

Siena was once Florence's rival and equal. After Florence won the war in the 16th century, Siena declined in prominence, and today it has only about 50,000 people to Florence's 400,000. Siena has preserved most of its original streets and structures. The…Read More

Siena was once Florence's rival and equal. After Florence won the war in the 16th century, Siena declined in prominence, and today it has only about 50,000 people to Florence's 400,000. Siena has preserved most of its original streets and structures. The main square, the Campo, is huge and the main streets radiate out from it. Just seeing the Campo is a memorable experience-it is one of the largest open-air public spaces I've ever seen.

Siena's Duomo is a standout among the many churches I've seen on this trip. The facade and the interior columns have black and white stripes like barber poles, and the uniquely tiled floor shows scenes from religion and history. You could spend a day just looking at all the "stories".

I'd really like to go back to spend more time in Siena, I just loved it. links to websites on Italian bus services bus service in selected cities in Italy bus service, Florence airport-train station, & to Siena Good websites about Siena:
www.turismoverde.com/english/enhome.htm (includes bus schedules)

More info on Siena, with links:
www.comune.siena.it
http://goeurope.about.com/travel/goeurope/library/weekly/bls_siena_info_intro.htm

Maps and books For me the invaluable map was an easily-foldable pocket-sized laminated one called Streetwise Florence. It covers 90% of Florence in accurate, legible and complete detail. Your bookstore can order it from Streetwise maps, POB 2219, Amagansett NY 516 267 8617, or www.streetwisemaps.com. Don''t confuse…Read More

Maps and books
For me the invaluable map was an easily-foldable pocket-sized laminated one called Streetwise Florence. It covers 90% of Florence in accurate, legible and complete detail. Your bookstore can order it from Streetwise maps, POB 2219, Amagansett NY 516 267 8617, or www.streetwisemaps.com. Don''t confuse it with a similar looking map by the same publisher called Artwise Florence.

I did not find the Eyewitness Guide to Florence and Tuscany to be helpful for Florence sight-seeing. One drawback to the Eyewitness Guides in general is that they are quite heavy to carry around, although they are beautifully illustrated. I also found myself constantly flipping pages to find what I needed. The books are great to keep for reference and as souvenirs, but I don''t think they are easy to use while you are actually walking around, at least not for Florence. The Fodor''s and Frommer''s guides to Florence were much better as guidebooks to carry on a daily basis.

San Miniato is the church you see on the top of a hill on the far side of the Arno. That's all most people see of it. For a different Florentine experience, take a cab up to the church, do some exploring, and…Read More

San Miniato is the church you see on the top of a hill on the far side of the Arno. That's all most people see of it. For a different Florentine experience, take a cab up to the church, do some exploring, and stroll back down to town.

One of the older of the many remarkable churches in Florence, San Miniato has a somewhat more intimate feeling than many. Built late in the first millennium, it includes art added through to the 15th century. Among these is the small, but magnificent shrine by Michelozzo incorporating Della Robbia terracotta’s.

On the upper level, behind the altar, there is a mosaic of Christ in benediction. Most visitors miss seeing this in all its glory because they either can't find the coin box to turn on the light or won't pay the 1€ fee. Pay the Euro. It's definitely worth it. The coin box is near the top of the stairs to the right. Another coin box near the church's entrance lights a wider area of the building.

Again, behind the altar, but this time on the lower level, there is a small purely Romanesque chapel that the resident monks still use for prayers. If you're lucky enough to be there for one of the offices, sit for a while on one of the benches outside the chapel and drift off to the middle ages.

When you've absorbed all you care to, take a leisurely stroll down the hill back to the city. This is how you'll get some of the picture-postcard views and see some others that aren't quite as commercial. An easy footpath leads you past views of vineyards and the city walls to Piazza Michelangelo. Filled with tour and city buses, this is the spot for getting that requisite panoramic photo of Florence. Sunsets from here can be spectacular (and rather romantic), but a dramatically cloudy day is great as well.

Continuing down via steps leading from the piazza, it's a pleasant stroll down to the city. Take the time to get a good look at one of the old city gates close to the Arno. After this walk, you will have earned that gelato.

If possible, try to plan your trip during the off-season. Fall (September to November) and Spring (February to May) are great times to visit. If you go in the summer, the streets are so crowded with tourists it can easily make the trip…Read More

If possible, try to plan your trip during the off-season. Fall (September to November) and Spring (February to May) are great times to visit. If you go in the summer, the streets are so crowded with tourists it can easily make the trip miserable. It is also extremely hot and humid during summers there. Plus, in August lots of businesses are closed. Plan for a spring or fall trip, save some money on airfare, and try to spend at least 3 or 4 days here! ~~~~ Bring: a travel umbrella, comfortable walking shoes, a sense of adventure, and your camera! ~~~~ Don't bring: traveler's checks. They are a hassle and stores sometimes either don't like to take them or won't. I suggest using lire and your credit cards--you get a terrific exchange rate. ~~~~ Make a copy of the front and back of each card and hide it in your luggage along with a photocopy of your passport. If the gypsies get you, at least you will have the numbers to call and report stolen cards! ~~~~ ATM's are numerous in Florence; I have never had trouble finding a compatible one that uses my same PIN number. They include directions in English. Check with your bank before you leave to inquire about whether you need a different PIN number and how much they charge for ATM usage overseas. This way of getting cash is a much better deal than going to a Cambio.Close

On Thursday morning (10/8/98) we’re up and on the road again, on our way to Florence. We’ll have a city tour in the early afternoon. Our tour guide Hermano, tells us that Florence is considered the shoppers paradise for leather and gold.…Read More

On Thursday morning (10/8/98) we’re up and on the road again, on our way to Florence. We’ll have a city tour in the early afternoon. Our tour guide Hermano, tells us that Florence is considered the shoppers paradise for leather and gold. Everything is hand crafted and there is no purchase tax added. He recommends “Gold Corner” for gold and the Peruzzi leather factory for leather purchases.

As we’re journeying to Florence we cross the Po River in the Padana Plain. We’re in the Veneto Region, which is quite wealthy due to agriculture and various industries. They have very few natural resources. They currently buy all of their energy form France; all of their nuclear power plants are closed. They do get some their energy power from the Alps.

They're known for the best wines in Italy; Bardolino, Chardonnay and Sova Barollo. After the unification of Italy in 1861 Florence was the capital for just over 5 years.

A lot of corn grown in this region; they are a big livestock supplier for the country.

The Medici family is thought to have made this region what it is. They were wealthy bankers and quite well educated for the region and the time. They wanted Florence to be the cultural capital of the world. Nicolo Michaveli was the Secretary for Medici family. His philosophy was to get where you want, it didn’t matter how. Maria de Medici invented the now famous French cuisine. The Medici family produced 2 popes, 2 French queens and numerous cardinals.

One of the first wonders we see is the “Golden Doors” by Lorenzo Gilberti. They are dazzling, the detail and brilliance. We then wander along the Arno River. This river flooded in November 1966 wiping out three quarters of the city. The Santa Croce area was the worst, with a lot of loss of artwork, furniture, and housing.Close

Vista Magazine Vista Magazine was founded by a Boston University alumna who has lived in Florence for the past ten years and is a well-respected journalist for papers like Corriere della Sera and the International Herald Tribune. Vista is a magazine about Florence and…Read More

Vista Magazine
Vista Magazine was founded by a Boston University alumna who has lived in Florence for the past ten years and is a well-respected journalist for papers like Corriere della Sera and the International Herald Tribune. Vista is a magazine about Florence and Tuscany with in-depth articles usually addresssing less well-known artistic and cultural itineraries.
Vista Magazine also offers an extensive calendar, Month by Month, which is available at all American Universities, the Florence Tourist Center and selected café’s and bookstores. It is an invaluable resource for concerts, exhibits, theatre, English-language movies, and excursions into the Tuscan countryside. Vista can be purchased at selected bookstores, cafes, and by writing to:
Vista Magazine
Borgo degli Albizi, 15 - 50122 Florence, Italy
Subscription: (4 issues, payable in advance) Europe $35 or Outside Europe $60

The Informer
www.theinformer.com
This websiste is the only online resource for Americans interested in moving to Italy and is worth a visit just for the information on cutting through Italy’s red tape. It is geared more towards those living in Milan or Rome, with activities and meetings for expatriates in those cities.

Living, Studying and Working in Italy
By Travis Neighbor and Monica Larner
This is the bible, the book of all books, for anyone interested in making the move to Italy. You’ll find all the information you’ll need, along with addresses and phone numbers, for buying a house, finding a job, going to school, and just living here in general. Resources in the United States, as well as American companies with overseas offices, are listed as well as practical tips of what to avoid, expect and appreciate. A must-read.

The Italians
by Luigi Barzini
Written in 1964, The Italians is still an invaluable peek into the consciousness of Italian culture and history. It gives a complete review of the basic aspects of Italian life, including the Church, the Mafia and the Family, as well as fascinating examples of major figures in Italian history and their role in perpetuating the sentiments of their times. If you want to know the Italians at all, start here.