A Perfect Family Day Under the Tuscan Sun in Florence

Statue of Neptune in Piazza della Signoria (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By []Giovanni Balboni

Although it is understandably difficult to prise yourself away from the idyllic surrounds offered to your family at your rental villas in Tuscany, there is more to Italy than lolling around poolside under the warm Tuscan sun.

The Villa

A perfect day begins with a delicious and nutritious breakfast. The region is conducive to rising early, the sounds of birds and a balmy breeze beg you to leap out of bed and take an early morning constitutional to one of the nearby farmer's markets. Here you can buy any manner of fresh produce, still throbbing with life force. The markets here are famous for the availability of organic produce that has arrived directly from the farm.

5 Great Luxury Hotels in Florence

English: Savoy, Via Roma (Florence) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

By Alexander Brey
Some cities are best explored on foot and Florence is certainly one of them. It is therefore important to choose one of the luxury hotels in Florence which is within easy walking distance of the sights. Florence is a monument to the Renaissance, the cultural awakening during the 15th century, making this one of the greatest artistic cities to visit in the world. The wealthy patrons and influential families such as the Medici drew the best talent in Italy to create the legacy we can enjoy today. Marvel at the sights of Florence, and enjoy your stay in one of these centrally located, hand-picked luxury hotels in Florence.

How to Do Florence in 48 Hours

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By Katy Hyslop


You have just arrived in the Renaissance capital of the art world with a couple of days to spare, so where do you go and what highlights can you see in such a short time? This is the guide for you to get the maximum out of a short stay in Florence.
14:00
Now is probably a good time to familiarise yourself with the central city, if it's late summer it will be beginning to cool down and hopefully the crush of the tourist crowds will be starting to diminish. The centre of Florence is easy to walk around as the streets are narrow and most are closed to traffic.
Starting off around the main station there is the Piazza Santa Maria Novella with the church that gives the train station its name. Opposite the church there is the Piazza Nazionale and a road which leads down to the Piazza del Mercato Centrale. Here there are a few market stalls selling leather goods, souvenirs and other items. The 2 famous buildings to see here are the Cappelle Medici and the San Lorenzo e Biblioteca Laurenziana.
15:00
You will see the Duomo before you reach the piazza it resides in as you walk down Via Borgo San Lorenzo. The squat building in front of the cathedral is the Baptistery, built on the foundations of a Roman temple. The golden doors facing the cathedral are replicas of an original set made by Lorenzo Ghiberti and regarded by Michelangelo as the "doors to paradise". But the sight most visitors are bowled over by is Brunelleschi's dome, the cap on the already impressive Chiesa Santa Maria del Fiori. Standing guard beside it is the campanile, or bell tower built by Giotto.

Weddings in Italy: Top 3 Romantic Venues

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By Laura Frappa

If you are looking for a romantic wedding in Italy you may consider one of these cities: Venice, Rome or Florence.
Your romantic wedding in Italy could be planned to perfection by capable and talented Wedding Planners. A magical day to remember forever, special moments set in great photo services. Different kind of ceremonies can be organized in Italy: civil, protestant, catholic, Jewish or non-denominational weddings, and every kind of service (beauty, flowers, photography, music, transportation, activities ect) to make it unforgettable.
Here you can find a short description of the three best romantic venues:

The Top 5 Must See Sites in Florence

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As one of the most popular cities to visit in Italy, Florence is filled with an array of fantastic tourist attractions. Situated in the heart of Tuscany, Florence is home to some of Italy's best museums, cathedrals and churches; as well as many character-filled streets and squares which are home to exquisite buildings and both modern and traditional shops and cafes.

There is so much to see and experience in Florence that you can't fit it all in during one trip. If you are planning a vacation in Tuscany here are our suggestions for 5 'must see' site while you are in Florence.



Piazza Della Signoria is the most famous square in Florence, situated in the heart of the city. Here, tourists will find themselves standing in a place of history as the piazza has been the political centre of Florence since the middles ages. The Palazzo Vecchin town hall is situated within the middle of the piazza and is one of the many medieval buildings you can find within Florence. The Palazzo boasts many decorated public rooms and private apartments and there is an array of cafes and eateries which are dotted around this area.

When visiting Florence, it is doubtful you will not hear about Il Duomo, which is one of Florence's most popular sites. The cathedral is a great chance to experience some of the many pieces of gothic architecture which are found within Florence and is a true piece of beauty on both its interior and exterior. Consecrated in 1436 and with the ability to hold up to 20,000 people, the cathedral's exterior is made up of green, pink and white marble and includes many elaborate doors and statues. The dome of the cathedral is a piece of art in itself of which tourists can purchase a ticket to climb the 436 steps which lead to its top.

The Baptistery of John the Baptist is one of the oldest buildings in Florence having been originally built during the 11th century. Its exterior constitutes of green and white marble and also boasts three sets of astounding bronze doors. Inside the Baptistery, visitors will view many mosaics and marbles pavements which illustrate the zodiac- a truly stunning sight.

Art lovers will flock to visit the Galleria degli Uffizi which holds the world's most important collection of Renaissance art. As Italy's most popular art museum, this can often be extremely crowded, but tickets can be purchased in order to avoid queuing up for entry. The gallery holds many historical paintings from medieval artworks to modern art and an array of antique sculptures and tapestries. Some of the art works visitors can hope to see include Botticelli, Leonardo di Vinci and Raphael.

One of the largest Franciscan churches within Italy is the Santa Croce. This church is home to the tombs of many important Florentines such as Michelangelo and Dante and its stunning interiors include beautiful pieces of stained glass windows and frescoes. Those who love historical artworks will also enjoy the Cappella dei Pazzi by Brunelleschi which can also be found within the Santa Croce.

When it comes to visiting Florence in Tuscany, there is plenty to be seen and inspired by, no matter what types of historical sites you normally enjoy. Whether you love viewing historical art, architecture or places of worship; Florence is sure to provide all this and more and is sure to see you return again in the future in order to take all of its brilliance in once again.

Mark Scriven is an online marketing expert and has written many articles on business, travel and the internet. For a wide selection of luxury villas in Tuscany visit Cottages to Castles, specialists in luxury holiday accommodation in Tuscany.

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Things to do While in Florence, Italy

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Florence is one of the highlights of a trip to Italy. Whether you enjoy museums, art galleries, eating and drinking Italian food and wine, or simply wandering around and soaking up the atmosphere, you will find that Florence Italy Tourism has something for you.

Easily the most visited square in Florence is the Piazza della Signoria which is an open-air sculpture exhibit. The Loggia della Signoria is home to famous statues such as a copy of Michelangelo's David and the Fountain of Neptune. This square is in the historic center of Florence and is one of the highlights of the city.

Next on the list is the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore, Florence's most popular cathedral. The outside of the cathedral is made of green, pink, and white marble. Inside you can marvel at Brunelleschi's Dome masterpiece. Also, by purchasing a ticket you can climb the 463 steps to get to the top of the bell tower and enjoy a panoramic view of the city, which is simply breath-taking. Do note, however, that there is no air-conditioning, so bring water!

Make sure you visit the Galleria dell' Academia on your visit to Florence. This museum gallery holds some of the most important sculptures and paintings from the 13th to the 16th centuries. Here you will find many of Michelangelo's original works including the famous David. You can also see many musical instruments from the Medici family.

While in Florence you will also want to visit Italy's most crowded museum, the Galleria degli Uffizi. The gallery has one of the most prominent collections of Renaissance art in the world. You can enjoy the thousands of paintings from medieval and modern times, as well as antique sculptures and tapestries. Long lines can be a problem, so if possible buy your tickets ahead and avoid them all together.

Finally, what would a trip to Florence be without shopping? Many consider the Florence shopping to be the finest in Europe. From leather goods to paper goods, jewelry to art productions, Florence has it all. There are also plenty outdoor markets where you can find lots of bargains while enjoyingthe surrounding architecture.

There is no doubt that Florence has a rich history and many places that you must visit. From the Galleria dell' Academia to the open air markets, Florence Italy tourism offers something for everyone!


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For more tips and advice on Florence visit Suzanne's Florence, Italy website - http://www.PlacesToVisitInFlorenceItaly.com - here you will find everything you need to know about travel in Florence and Tuscany.


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Vino Con Vista Florence and Tuscany: Wine With a View of Italy (Volume 1)

I Love Touring Florence Italy - Cathedral District Hotels

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The Florence Cathedral is also called the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore or simply the Duomo. This majestic late Thirteenth Century to Fifteenth Century building defines Florence's center. Don't you dare miss this spectacular site. If you are in good enough physical shape you might try to climb the 463 steps to the top of the dome for a majestic view of Florence and its surroundings. Here are some hotels that you might consider which are located close to the Duomo. For your convenience we have listed these hotels in approximate order of cost, starting with the least expensive. We have personally verified that all hotels listed have an English-language website where you can obtain more information.

The Albergo Firenze is located only a block from the Duomo. It is located in the heart of Florence, between the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, one of the most beautiful squares in all Florence. It offers 57 rooms, many of which are suitable for three or four people. So if you book far enough ahead, especially in the off-season this hotel may be a relatively inexpensive option. The hotel address is Piazza Donati 4, Duomo. It has a breakfast room.

The Hermitage Hotel is situated quite near the famous Ponte Vecchio, one of the world's most famous bridges with goldsmiths and jewelry shops. It has only 27 rooms and a lone suite so you may want to reserve early. You'll love the rooftop terrace and its garden. This is a three-star hotel and is priced accordingly. The hotel address is Vicolo Marzio 1, Piazza della Signoria.

The In Piazza della Signoria has ten antique-furnished bed and breakfast rooms and three apartments that contain a small kitchen. This is part of a Fifteenth Century Palace. The hotel address is Via dei Magazzini 2.

The Hotel Helvetia and Bristol has 54 rooms Search Amazon.com for Vino Con Vistaand 13 suites. Its guest list includes Igor Stravinsky, Bertrand Russell, and Enrico Fermi as well as many Italian artists, but hardly starving artists. There is a restaurant-bar. This hotel's address is Via dei Pescioni 2, Piazza della Repubblica.

The Hotel Savoy is quite near the Uffizi Gallery, a fantastic art museum open to the public for over four centuries, and the Ponte Vecchio. It belongs to the Rocco Forte Hotel chain of 13 European hotels with more coming in the Middle East. This hotel has 102 rooms and suites and offers a children's program and a restaurant. The hotel address is Piazza della Republica 7.


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Levi Reiss wrote or co-authored ten computer and Internet books, but to tell the truth, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. Check out his wine website http://www.theworldwidewine.com with a weekly column reviewing $10 wines and new sections writing about (theory) and tasting (practice) organic and kosher wines.