Introduction to Italy The tenth-largest country in Europe; Italy reaches into the central Mediterranean and includes the islands Sardinia and Sicily. Before Italy became a nation-state in 1861, the country was divided into city-states. Those political divisions may no longer exist but they are still present culturally. One will find a long-standing rivalry between Florence …
It is just before noon on a bright and clear Wednesday afternoon, and I am on the hunt for a new street. Crossing Piazza della Repubblica with five potentials scrawled on an index card, I suddenly realize I need lunch—and fast. I have only so much time so I need a spot quick and delicious. …
It is a very ordinary street in Florence, via Sant’Agostino. Some may say it’s dirty, or even unpleasant. Graffiti is scrawled on nearly every wall, outdated posters look like they’ve been scratched at, and the stones on the street could use some repair. Cars and bikes roar past on their way from via Romana to …
Italy is synonymous with good wine and good food, so why not take a cooking class in Italy? Regional specialties vary – from bistecca alla fiorentina in Tuscany to pizza in Naples. No matter where your travels take you in Italy, you’ll find a cooking school where you can learn to cook the area’s traditional …
As the skies darken in Italy in the first week of December, the holiday lights of Florence sparkle up the night. Draped over the city streets like curtains of candlelight, the lights create a strangely intimate impression. Every year, a large Christmas tree reigns in the center of town at the Piazza della Repubblica, and churches …
It’s one of the most dramatic stories in 15th-century Florence. In 1478, the Pazzi, a well-established Florentine banking family, with support from Pope Sixtus IV, the King of Naples, and the Archbishop of Pisa, and others, hatched a plot so daring as to almost appear ridiculous: to kill Giuliano and Lorenzo de’ Medici in …
During your stay in Florence, especially if you’re here during the hot summer months, you’re going to want to leave behind the hustle and bustle of the skinny streets and the overcrowded museums. Here are three day trips you can take to get some perspective and fresh air.
When deciding where to stay in Florence, whether you want luxury accommodations with around-the-clock room service or just a clean, quiet place to lay your head after walking all over this beautiful city, the city offers a wide range of hotel options. We’ve compiled a list of what we consider the best Florence hotles, …
Florence is the heart of Tuscany, but it is also the heart of the Italian Renaissance and one of the artistic capitals of the world. Come to Florence for the sheer beauty of the city and to see the works of the masters – Botticelli, Michelangelo, Donatello and more. Florence Attractions The Duomo (Cathedral of …
There is no lack of restaurants in Tuscany and the cuisine is known for its use of fresh ingredients and fragrant olive oil. The following are our tried and true recommendations for good eating in Tuscany. Siena La Taverna di San Giuseppe The Taverna of San Giuseppe is an authentic Tuscany restaurant whose location dates …