Falling In Love With Florence
- Donna P.
- Mar 18, 2016
- 3 min read
After spending three magical evenings in Venice, I hopped a train to Florence then a quick cab ride to the Piazza del Duomo where my hotel was located. My room had a private balcony with an unobstructed view of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. It was absolutely stunning! Although, I stayed in the heart of Florence, where it is highly congested, I easily overlooked the crowds because every morning I woke up to the most stunning view of the Duomo! In the evening, I could sip a glass of wine on my private balcony while hearing the music from below in the piazza all while gazing at the Duomo. The Duomo is unlike other historic building in the region. The Duomo is gothic style with marble panels in various shades of green and pink with a dome that was constructed by Brunelleschi. The piazza also contains Giotto's Bell tower which is a must to climb; the views are spectacular!
Florence has so much to offer that three nights is not nearly enough. Luckily, I was able to prioritize my itinerary. #1 on my list was to see David at the Accademia Gallery. I took an art class once and studied Michelangelo and have a deep appreciation for his artwork with David being my favorite. Luckily, my concierge was able to book a reservation to avoid the long lines. With only three nights in Florence, I was willing to spend the extra money to avoid wasting time standing in long lines. Upon entering the museum, I was beyond excited! The magnificent statue towers in the museum and I was standing in front of one of Michelangelo's masterpieces from the early 1500’s! Let me tell you, I was not disappointed! The detailing of the statue is amazing!
Next up the Uffizi Museum! The Uffizi hosts a number of masterpieces from the Renaissance period from famous artists like Botticelli, Giotto, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raffaello. Most have seen a picture of Botticelli's Birth of Venus, but to stand literally in front of it is another story. Even if you’re not an art fanatic, you can appreciate the numerous masterpieces that Uffizi has to offer. The Uffizi houses an extensive collection of artwork so be prepared to spend at least ½ a day here.
You don’t necessarily have to visit a museum to see great pieces of art. You can see a few statues at the Piazza della Signoria or see a smaller copy of David at Piazzale Michelangelo. The Piazzale Michelangelo offers splendid views of the city if you don’t mind the trek there. I recommend grabbing a bottle of wine and watch the sunset over the city.
Ponte Vecchio Bridge is an amazing piece of architecture. This medieval stone structure is built over the Arno River. You will find jewelery shops galore built upon this bridge. If jewelry is your fetish, then this is the place to shop.
No trip to Florence would be complete without a jaunt over to Pisa. The leaning tower of Pisa is less than an hour away by train. Unless you’re fluent in Italian make sure you hop on the right train. Unfortunately, I took the wrong train. Two trains and two hours later, I finally made it to Pisa. Luckily, I made it in time to climb up the historic tower. The town is quite charming, I wish I had more time to spend here.
I’ve been on the go so much, it’s time for a more relaxing day. As an wine lover and with Brunello my favorite, my trip to Florence wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Montalcino wine region. Hiring a private driver was a great investment. The driver set up our winery tours along with reserving lunch at a chic restaurant in the quaint town of Montalcino. Tuscany’s wine region is vastly different than other parts of Italy; the quaint towns, the medieval towers and picturesque landscapes make it a perfect venture for beauty and relaxation!
Florence is a vibrant city filled with history from the Renaissance period, lively piazzas, good food, and a culture like no other! I fell in love with Florence!