FLORENCE: LIVING BEAUTY

Where

Florence is the capital city of Tuscany Region.

It is the most populated city in its Region.

Weather This city has a very humid subtropical climate, with hot The capital city of Toscana (Tuscany), Firenze (Florence) is and humid summers and cool the mecca of art, history, and culture for not only the winters. region, but also all of Europe. Known as, ‘the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance,’ Florence possesses some of the greatest works of art of all time, from artists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Giotto, and Dante Alighieri, to name a few. Flanked by sandstone hills of the south and foothills sprawling out from the Apennine Mountains, Florence has an all-season splendor that adds to any vacation, any time of the year. Though the temperatures fluctuate greatly from summer to winter, each season has something to offer. The best time visit is spring to early summer and autumn, especially November during the grape and olive harvest. December can be also be a surprisingly pleasant time to visit with its crisp air, sunny days, and very few tourists. Florence is the heart of Renaissance Italy and one of Italy

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Food Specialities and Europe’s most visited cities. Everything from interesting museums, beautiful churches like the famed Il Duomo di Firenze, and priceless works of Bistecca alla Fiorentina: This historical artwork can be found in Florence. flagship Tuscan steak is made from the region’s Chianina breed of cattle which are known for their ACTIVITIES AND TOURS tenderness and flavor. Typical of Italian cuisine, simplicity rules this Home to some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes, dish. Seasoned with salt and Florence is the perfect place to take in the country air, pepper, rosemary and then sites, art, and even sports. There are many tours and cooked in olive oil, the rich activities sure to please everyone, including: velvety texture of this filling steak Bicycling: Bike through the countryside of Florence, is perfect for any meat lover. tasting some wine along the way and enjoying the picturesque sunset off the rolling hills. Ribollita: With peasant origins, this flavorful bread and vegetable Golf: There is nothing like playing the back nine on the soup that literally translates to re- boiled, is a hearty staple of the rolling hills of the Florentine countryside. Enjoy tree-lined region, and a must have while in courses with the added bonus of an unadulterated view Florence. as far as the eye can see. There are two local clubs where you can practice your stroke. The first, Golf Club Montelupo offers a tight course of nine holes right on the banks of the Arno. The second, Golf Club Ugolino is an 18-hole course located in an olive grove.

Football: A source of national pride in Italy, football (soccer) can be watched and enjoyed here. Florence’s national football team, the Serie A. Fiorentina, is among the best in Italy’s premier league. On Florence’s patron saint day (June 24) one can attend a medieval version of the game with participants dressed in medieval costumes.

Rowing: Interested in learning a new activity or reliving your college rowing days? Florence has a wonderful rowing club on the Arno River called Societa Canottieri Firenze.

Tennis: Public tennis courts are situated at the Circolo Carraia, Via Monti alle Croci. Other courts are at Circolo del Tennis, Via Scandicci Alto, and Via dela Robbia Impruneta.

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Shopping: Florence has some of the finest Florence brings you to the renowned shopping in Europe. In Florence you’ll find Accademia Gallery where you can admire leather goods, paper goods, jewelry, and the famous David by Michelangelo, as well plenty of souvenirs and art productions. as other works by the great artist. Florence has a number of open-air markets selling food, clothing, and antiques. The most famous is around Piazza San Lorenzo. PLACES TO VISIT Mercato Centrale is the perfect place to find fresh cooking produce and restaurants, or Galleria degli Uffizi: The most visited take a leisurely stroll through the streets and museum in Florence, the Uffizi palace was window shop. designed and begun in 1560 by the architect Giorgio Vasari. Built in the shape of a Music: A musical centre during the middle horseshoe extending from Piazza della ages, music and the performing arts remain Signoria to the Arno River, and linked by a an important part of Florence culture. Home bridge over the street with Palazzo Vecchio, of the first Opera Daphne (1958), and the the Uffizi were intended to house the first piano, Florence has a rich music a d m i n i s t r a t i v e scene. offices (Uffizi) of Cooking Class: It is said, the best way the Grand Duchy. to experience a culture is through F r o m t h e food. Join a small, intimate group of beginning, food lovers in an old palazzo in the city h o w e v e r , t h e center. Guided by a top cooking Medici had a few school, you will learn to cook a classic rooms on the third four-course Tuscan meal. Once you’ve floor where they completed your dishes, it’s time to housed the finest enjoy them, paired with a good Tuscan w o r k s o f t h e i r wine, of course. This educational, fun, collections. Two and friendly atmosphere is sure to centuries later, in teach you skills that you can take home 1737, the palace to impress your friends and loved and their collection ones. were left to the city b y A n n a M a r i a Walking City Tour: Drive along the L u i s a , t h e l a s t romantic Viale dei Colli up to Piazzale Medici heir, and today houses one of the Michelangelo, and enjoy a view of the city, world’s greatest art galleries. one of the most beautiful panoramas in the world. The tour will proceed through the old Piazza della Signoria and Palazzo Vecchio: city centre to the outdoor Duomo complex Florence’s most famous square is Piazza where you can see the Baptistery with its della Signoria, the heart of the historic center bronze doors including the famous Porta del and a free open-air sculpture exhibit. The Paradiso, and the visit of the Cathedral with Loggia della Signoria holds some important the magnificent Cupola del Brunelleschi and statues including a copy of Michelangelo’s Giotto’s bell tower. Finally, a short walk David. The piazza has been Florence’s through the historic streets of the heart of political center since the middle ages and

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Florence’s town hall. The medieval Palazzo paintings and sculptures, porcelain, silver Vecchio sits on the piazza filled with and period costumes. The rooms contain elaborately decorated public rooms and works by Raphael, Rubens, Titian, private apartments. Caravaggio, Andrea del Sarto, and countless others. Take an adventure around the Pitti Santa Maria Novella: A 13th century church Palace to discover the Baroque Boboli

built in the Gothic-Romanesque style, with Gardens. white and green marble, Santa Maria Novella holds some of the finest works of art in our Galleria dell’Accademia: If you’re looking to history— the frescoes by Masaccio portraying see works of famed artists like Michelangelo, the Holy Trinity, the Crucifix by Brunelleschi, this is the place to visit. Founded in 1784 by and the one by Giotto. the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo, uniting all the painting schools into one academy, you Ponte Vecchio: The oldest bridge in can explore the hallways of this gallery, Florence, Ponte Vecchio’s first construction which include the famous statue of David. existed before the 11th century, but was destroyed by a flood of the Arno. The bridge Bargello: Once a prison in the 13th century, was rebuilt in solid stone in 1345. turned national museum, Bargello is filled Its banks are still full of goldsmiths’, with some of the best sculptures from the silversmiths’, and jewelers’ laboratories Tuscan Renaissance era. Some of the works whose art has been passed down from of art in the Bargella include: David by generation to generation. Donatello, Mercury by Gianbologna, and the bust of Brutus by Michelangelo. Palazzo Pitti: A massive palace that would take days to see all there is to see, The Pitti Archeological Museum: Another collection Palace hosts several important collections of of works from the Medici family, especially www.helloitalytours.com 4

Sunset in Florence

Cosimo il Vecchio, is comprised of objects The San Lorenzo Market: Explore this multi- from the Etruscan period— terracotta floor market situated in the heart of a 19th ornaments and sculptures in marble and century iron and glass building. Entering in bronze, including the Chimera di Arezzo and on the ground floor there are several flower l’Arringatore. stalls, fruit and vegetable stalls where all the Be sure to also see the impressive Egyptian local seasonal produce is displayed. On the exhibit donated by another historical family, top floor, enjoy delicatessens selling the Lorena. Florentine and Tuscan delicacies, where you can also stop for a bite to eat. Casa Buonarroti: This palace was renovated in the 17th century by Michelangelo Basilica di San Lorenzo: Home to world Buonarroti, also known as ‘il giovane,’ who famous works of art, including the two decorated all the interior area of the building pulpits built by Donatello, The Biblioteca on his own, as a tribute to his ancestor. Medicea Laurenziana and the Tombe Explore this palace and see some of the Medicee, works by Michelangelo, including early masterpieces by Michelangelo such as the Cappella dei Principi Chapel, this still the Madonna della Scala and the Battaglia unfinished church is a must see. dei Centauri.

Cattedrale Santa Maria del Fiore: The church SPECIAL EVENTS of Santa Maria del Fiore, the cathedral or duomo of Florence is a vast Gothic structure Scoppio del Carro: Waking up on Easter built on the site of the 7th century church of morning in Florence is something to Santa Reparata, the remains of which can be treasure. Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the seen in the crypt. The cathedral began Cart) is a celebration stemming back 500 construction at the end of the 13th century years. An elaborate wagon from the 17th by Arnolfo di Cambio, and was completed century tours through Florence, behind a by Brunelleschi in 1436 with the famous fleet of decorated white oxen, filled with Dome, which was painted inside with fireworks. Once at its destination, a dove- frescoes by Vasari and Zuccari. The shaped rocket, representing the Holy Spirit, Baptistery of San Giovanni, one of the oldest shoots from the Church altar into the monuments in Florence (1128), is located fireworks. Traditions say that the big bang opposite the Cathedral and is built in will ensure a good harvest. Following the Florentine Romanesque style. fireworks is a parade of people in medieval costume. Santa Croce: Santa Croce, in Piazza Santa Croce, is the largest Franciscan church in Festa di San Lorenzo: A magical night when Italy and holds the tombs of several the heavens open up and shooting stars are i m p o r t a n t F l o r e n t i n e s i n c l u d i n g most visible marks the celebration of Saint Michelangelo and Dante. Lorenzo. It’s a night cherished by the Italians. The vast interior contains some exceptional So take a trip to the outskirts of the city and stained glass windows and frescoes. One of watch the sky light up with the blazing trails Brunelleschi’s most important works, the of the stelle cadenti (falling stars). Cappella dei Pazzi, is in Santa Croce. Florence dance festival: Every summer, the Florence Dance Festival takes place at the

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Teatro Romano in Fiesole, as part of the wider Estate Fiesolana program of music, poetry, and cinema. It is really a magnificent experience to enjoy a concert in a Roman amphitheatre thinking of the thousands, if not millions, who have shared in the experience over the course of the past centuries.

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