Viva la Renaissance!
Six hundred years ago in Florence, Italy, the Renaissance was born. They still haven't let go of that — and why should they? The city, which is more walkable than guidebooks might let on, is full of tourist attractions that allure those tourists for a reason: because they are so absolutely stunning. What to see The first place you need to hit is Il Duomo, which will take your breath away — literally. The 463 steps up the architectural wonder provide a priceless view of the city while offering the city an inescapable view of it. This is, by all means, a mutual appreciation. Built before Columbus even got to our shores, the dome was such a gem to Florence that Michelangelo Buonarroti wanted to be buried near it so he could look upon it again on Judgment Day. While we're talking of Michelangelo, you also need to see his David statue in the Galleria dell'Accademia. Although one particular part of his anatomy is prevalent on touristy aprons being sold on the street, you need to see the whole 16-foot statue in-person in order to see what all the hubbub is about. Where to stay Fiesole is a small village about five miles northeast of Florence. It's a 10-minute bus ride up a winding hill to the type of privacy that stands in stark contrast to the bustle of Florence, which you can actually see from this little oasis. What to eat Both Caffé Italiano Pizzeria and Il Latini are filled with more locals than tourists, which is always a good sign. At Caffé Italiano Pizzeria, get the thin crust pizza. And discover true Italian "ospitalia" at Il Latini when you split the bread and wine with other guests at your table. And one final Florence travel tip — just because the wine is made in Italy, it doesn't mean that it's hangover-proof!!Back |