Florence

INTRODUCTION

Florence, Italy

Florence is the Europe's cultural capital. As the home of the Renaissance and the birthplace of the modern world, Florence practiced the art of civilization living back when the rest of Europe was rural and crude. Democracy, sience, and literature, as well as painting, sculpture, and architecture, were all championed by the proud and energitic Florentines of the 1400s.

When the Florentine poet Dante first saw the teenaged Beatrice, her beauty so inspired him that he spent the rest of his life writing poems to her. In the same way, the Renaissance opened people's eyes to the physical beauty of the world around them, inspiring them to write, paint, sculpt and build.

Today, Florence is geographically small but culturally rich, with more artistic masterpieces per square mile than anyplace else. In a single day, you could look Michelangelo's David in the eyes, fall under the seductive sway of Boticelli's Birth of Venus, and climb the modern world's first dome, wich still dominats the skyline.

Of course, there's a reality here, too. As the historic centre becomes increasingly filled with visitors, rents are rising and locals are fleeing to the suburbs, threatening to make Florence a kind of Renaissance theme park. Sure, Florence is touristy. But where else can you stroll the same pedestrian streets walked by Michelangelo, Leonardo and Boticelli while savoiring the world's best "gelato"??

To round out your visit, see Florence and then escape to the Tuscan countryside. With its manicured fields, rustic farms, and towns clinging te nearly every hill, Tuscany is our image of village Italy. Venture beyond the frings of Florence and you'll find a series of sun-and wine-soaked villages, each with its own appeal. Stretching from the Umbrian border to the Ligurian sea, the landscape changes from idyllic (Crete Senese) to mountainous to flat and brushed with sea breezes (Pisa).

A Tuscany countryside

During your visit, you'll discover that peaceful Tuscan villages and bustling Florence-with its rough stone beauty, art-packed museums, children chasing pigeons, students riding Vespas, artisian sipping Chianti, and supermodels wearing Gucci fashions-offer many of the very things you came to Italy te see.

PLANNING
Many people travel through Italy and think it is a mess. This is wrong!

I can help you save time and money, so please read all my advices before your trip, noting holidays, specifics on sights, and days when sights are closed. You can wait in line for two or more hours to get into the Uffizi - or you can book ahead and walk right in. Saving Michelangelo's David for your last day is risky, and on Monday, impossible. If you cut your Siena day trip short, you will miss the city's medieval magic at twilight.

Be sure to mix intense and relaxed periods in your itinerary. Every trip and every traveler needs slack times (picnics, laundry, people watching and so on). Ok pace yourself and assume you will return!

As you travel, take advantage of the internet and phones to make your trip run smoothly. By going online you can get tourist information, learn the latest on sights (special events, English tour schedule, etc.), book tickets and tours, make reservations, and keep in touch with your familliars.

Just slow down and enjoy the friendliness of your Tuscan host and be open to unexpected experiences.
Ask questions to locals, they will be happy to give you advices and directions.


WHEN TO GO
Tuscany's and Florence best travel months are May, June, July, September and October. Are the busiest and the most expensieve.

The most grueling thing about travel in Florence (and Tuscany) is the summer heat in July and August, when temperatures hit the high 30-35°C. But don't worry, most hotel come with air conditioning (usualy avaible from June to September)

In April and October you will need a sweater or light jacket in the evening, and in winter the temperatures can drop to 5°C.

Between November and April, you can usually expect pleasant weather and none of the sweat and stress of the tourist season.

However sights may have shorter hours, lunchtime breaks, and fewer activities. Confirm your sightseeing plans locally, espetially when traveling off-season.