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FLORENCE, ITALY TRAVEL GUIDE

PRESENTED BY SILVIA MORDINI BENVENUTO! LA DOLCE VITA "Life is but a journey, to travel is to live twice." Omar Khayyam

FLORENCE, ITALY

WELCOME TO FLORENCE!

Florence is the Italian capital of art, a city brightened by an illustrious past and still today the enduring home of art and culture. Time seems at a standstill among its streets. Monuments of inestimable value, statues carved by the greatest artists of their time, and ancient museums still waiting to be discovered: Florence is a treasure to be discovered, loved and explored. Not to mention its gourmet cuisine, the goodness of its wines and the kindness of people who live there. INSIDE THIS PACKET:

1 GETTING AROUND THE CITY 2 CULTURE FOR ALL TASTES 3 TRAVELING BACK TO THE PAST 4 CHURCHES AND BASILICAS 5 ONE YEAR, COUNTLESS EVENTS 6 IMMERSE YOURSELF IN NATURE 7 LA DOLCE VITA 8 MAGICAL NEIGHBORS 9 USEFUL NUMBERS AND SERVICES 1. GETTING AROUND THE CITY Walking through the streets of Florence is a wonderful experience. If distances to travel are longer than expected, there are taxis, public transport and rental cars, though the most charming option to catch every single treasure the city offers is to cross it by bicycle.

▪ Public transportation - The public transportation service is available from 5:00 am to 12:00 am. Tickets can be purchased at the Santa Maria Novella Railway Station or at authorized tobacco stores. Find out more: ATAF

▪ Bike - Why not rent a real means of transportation on two wheels and bike to the discovery of the city? In front of Santa Maria Novella Railway Station and on you can rent your bike and start exploring Florence from another perspective!

▪ Taxi - To book a taxi, you can go directly to the dispatcher by calling the following numbers: +39 0554242 e +39 0554390. Alternatively, you will always find a taxi available at the Stazione Ferroviaria Santa Maria Novella, on Piazza Santa Croce or at the airport. GETTING AROUND THE CITY

▪ Car - When moving by car in Florence, keep an eye on the so-called ZTL (Restricted Traffic Zone). It is a historic downtown area subject to vehicular traffic restrictions and access to selected categories of vehicles only. Find out more: ZTL Florence

▪ Train - The city’s main train station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella. Regional and high-speed train tickets can be purchased online or at the station. Find out more: Trenitalia & Italo Treno

▪ Airplane - The Florence Airport is just 4 km from the city center and easily reached by car: just drive along the entire Viale Alessandro Guidoni up to the Firenze Nord/ Firenze Mare motorway (A1 and A11) spur. Alternatively, you can reach the airport by catching a "Vola in Bus" 30-minute shuttle ride offered by Busitalia Nord. The stop is on Via Santa Caterina da Siena, 17 (only a few steps from Santa Maria Novella). Weekly and holiday hours: 5:00 am / 8:00 pm every 30 minutes - 8:00 pm / 11:00 pm every 60 minutes. Finally, you can reach the airport by taxi (15 minutes). Flat fee from city center: 22 € (holidays, daytime 24 € - nighttime 25 € - luggage supplement € 1). Find out more: Transport from/to Florence Airport 2. CULTURE FOR ALL TASTES

Did you know that one third of Florentine museums are included in the ranking of the 15 most visited Italian art museums? This city is the world’s art capital and you can be assured that your jaw will drop when you finally find yourself before the splendid artistic treasures that await you around the city.

The Uffizi - One of the most important museums in the world, and home to the greatest masterpieces of humanity, from those of Botticelli and Caravaggio, to the jewels of Leonardo da Vinci and .

Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze - The most important museum in Florence after the Uffizi. It houses 's sculptures, as well as whole section dedicated to the history of musical instruments. CULTURE FOR ALL TASTES

The Pitti Palace - Former residence of the De’ Medici Family, the palace houses today several museums, including a contemporary art gallery and the largest museum in the world dedicated to fashion and costumes.

I recommend you continue your artistic tour with... Museo Nazionale del - Museo di San Marco - Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Firenze - Museo dell'Opificio delle Pietre Dure - Museo Davanzati - Museo di Casa Martelli - Museo di - Museo Casa Rodolfo Siviero - - - Museo Bardini - - Museo Casa di Dante - Museo Ebraico - Museo Salvatore Ferragamo - and much more! PITTI PALACE 3. TRAVELING BACK TO THE PAST Rumor has it that when Stendhal came to Florence for the first time, he fainted in the face of the beauty around him. The reason is simple: it does not happen every day to walk on , rest in the shadow of or cross the . The Oltrarno District also deserves a visit; there, you can still breathe the atmosphere of old Florence, according to the Florentines themselves who live there. This is where I choose to live. • Ponte vecchio • Piazza della Signoria • Oltrarno 4. CHURCHES AND BASILICAS

Much of the masterpieces of the great architects of the past are still visible and freely accessible in the historic center of Florence. From the great and the famous Bell Tower of Giotto, passing through the of Santa Maria Novella which gives its name to the neighboring railway station and St. Trinity Church, to end your tour with a bang. Here are the greatest masterpieces: • Florence Cathedral - Santa Maria del Fiore • Church of Santa Maria Novella • • Basilica of Santissima Annunziata • Church of Santa Croce • The • St. Trinity Church • Giotto's Bell Tower • The Medici Chapels 5. ONE YEAR, COUNTLESS EVENTS

Every month and day of the year, the city of Florence hosts great events of renown and international appeal. For example, the temporary art exhibitions are a must-see; for a limited period of time, they are housed in the city’s most famous art galleries. On Easter day, Florence holds the traditional Burst of the Cart, Florentine football tournaments and the lanterns celebrations called “The feast of the Rificolona”, which lights up streets all the way to Piazza Santissima Annunziata. 6. IMMERSE YOURSELF IN NATURE

Florence, however, is not just urban art. At the edge of the city, you can enjoy sweeping hills that are ideal for gentle strolls. I recommend the Garden of Horticulture, the Rose Garden, and the aforementioned Boboli Garden, a not-to-miss visit for anyone who has chosen to tour the capital of . Then continue with the Iris Garden, the Botanical Garden, the Cascine Park, The Giardino Bardini Garden and . Find out more: Top Gardens in Florence 7. LA DOLCE VITA

It is impossible to resist the flavors of the Florentine table. All foodies know something about that. Old recipes, such as pappa al pomodoro, come together with delicious specialties such as the Florentine steak, and delicious dishes such as ribollita and the typical castagnaccio, to leave guests with an unforgettable culinary experience.

First courses (typical examples) - Panzanella (a yummy summer dish: tomatoes, Tuscan bread, red onions, cucumbers, basil, pepper, oil and vinegar) - Ribollita (hearty potage of bread and vegetables) - Pappa al pomodoro (thick tomato and bread soup) 8. MAGICAL NEIGHBORS

A wealth of treasures awaits to be explored on the outskirts of Florence, from the hills with breathtaking views of the Chianti vineyards, to ancient cities such as Siena and Lucca. Do not miss a trip to the Tuscan countryside, after you finish discovering Florence. Let yourself be enchanted by these unique cities in the world...

1. Chianti: wonderful hilly area famous the world over for its wines. (30km) 2. Fiesole: to the discovery of hidden treasures...from Etruscan walls to Roman baths. (10km) 3. Lucca: a unique place, also called “the city of 100 churches”. (80km) 4. Pisa: the city of and the famous “Leaning Tower". (85km) 5. Siena: a place of history, art and ancient traditions, such as the Palio of Siena - the traditional horse race. (75km) 9. USEFUL NUMBERS AND SERVICES

If you need additional information or advice during your stay, please refer to these useful numbers.

Useful numbers - Ambulance (EMS): T. 118, Police: T. 112, Fire Brigade: T. 115, Road assistance: T. 803116, Municipal Pharmacy 24/7: T. 055 289 435, Lost & Found Office: T. 055 328 3942

Tourist Office - Information and visitor centers are available at the official Info Points: Railway Station Info Point (T. +39 055212245 - Address: Piazza della Stazione, 4) - Tourist Information Office (T. +39 055290832 - Address: Via Cavour, 1R) - Bigallo Info Point (T. +39 055288496 - Address: Piazza San Giovanni, 1) - Airport Info Point (T. +39 055315874 - Address: Via del Termine, 1) - Cascine Park Visitor Center (T. 39 055354304 - Address: Piazzale delle Cascine) - Palazzo Vecchio Info Point (T. +39 0552768224 - Address: Piazza della Signoria) - Cappella Brancacci Info Point (T. +39 0552768224 - Address: Piazza del Carmine).

"HAVE YOU HEARD OF STENDHAL SYNDROME, THAT SUPPOSED ILLNESS THAT CAUSES SUFFERERS TO GROW FAINT AT THE SIGHT OF GREAT BEAUTY? IT ALSO GOES BY THE NAME “FLORENCE SYNDROME,” AS IT WAS FIRST COINED AFTER 19TH CENTURY VISITORS TO FLORENCE WERE OVERCOME."

ABOUT SILVIA MORDINI, WRITER, HAPPINESS ACTIVIST,

Silvia Mordini is a Transformation Mentor, Spiritual Teacher, Lightworker, CEO, Author and Presenter. With contagious enthusiasm Silvia encourages everyone she meets to love their life! Her expert passion connects people to their own joyful potential. She has been teaching happiness, global awareness, & mindfulness for over fifteen years.

Silvia, born in Ecuador as is her Mother and Brother, proud of her Italian heritage (her Father is Italian) and with immediate family from Brazil, Philippines, and Puerto Rico. Her life has always felt like the United Nations so she developed a sense of global citizenship early on. Raised as a world traveler, is a well-loved internationally recognized Motivational Speaker, Happiness Activist, and Mindfulness Teacher at conferences worldwide. You can’t help but leave her workshops, trainings & retreats spiritually uplifted!

Before becoming a serial Entrepreneur, Silvia had a thirteen-year Human Resource career including as Director for an international Fortune 100 professional services company. She founded and owned Total Body Yoga Studio with over 9,000 clients for ten years. In young adulthood she was run over by a car—a life changing accident that led her to discover the “Alchemy” of Yoga and Meditation to heal and transcend. She is the Founder of the fifteen year old world renowned Alchemy of Yoga Teacher Training School with 30 graduating classes of Alchemist Alumni from over 25 countries. In 2009 she founded Alchemy Tours, an International Retreat company specializing in Personal Transformation. With over 12,000 hours of teaching experience she makes spirituality approachable, fun and easy for everyone.

Through her writings, in person seminars, online courses, podcast and international retreats and trainings Silvia inspires people around the world to get unstuck from their pain and up level their (spiritual) happiness. She guarantees results fast.

What does that mean? She wakes people up to the power of change and their ability to choose to be happy, or happier in order to love themselves, love their day, love their lives!

Her life story and radical transcendence serve as a catalyst for clients to save time healing and removing what holds them back because she personally knows it’s possible to transform your trauma to dharma and transmute your drama to dreams. She believes your greatest successes come from your messes.

If you want to know Silvia, then read her. You’ll find hundreds of her published writings about lifestyle, spirituality & wellness read by thousands all over the world as seen in Gaia, Mindbodygreen (USA), Mantra Wellness Magazine, Elephant Journal (USA), DO YOU (Hong Kong), Good Men Project, Yogi Times, Wanderlust (USA), Daily Cup of Yoga (USA), and I’m a wellness expert as seen in Psychology Today, HuffPost, Medium and more. JOIN ME

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