FLORENCE: A TUSCAN TRAVELLER’S DELIGHT
Forgive us if we seem a little tongue-tied in describing Florence, but the truth is that the capital of Tuscany is such a spellbinding city that we find it difficult to know where to begin. Not only is Florence (Firenze to Italians) spectacularly beautiful, but it is also the cultural, artistic and architectural capital of Italy, as it has been since Renaissance times. Little wonder, then, that Florence remains a principal attraction for culture lovers from around the world – associated with such immortal names as Leonardo da Vinci, Dante Alighieri, Niccolo Machiavelli and Michelangelo Buonarroti.
Located in the centre of Tuscany, which is a beautiful province in it own right, Florence also houses the celebrated Duomo with the Brunelleschi cupola and the marble baptistery. As you wind your way along the quaint and narrow streets of the historic town centre (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and feast your eyes on the magnificent palaces, you will also be charmed by Florence's squares, with their typically Mediterranean atmosphere and relaxed ambience.
And how can you miss Florence’s outstanding churches, museums, and galleries? The Uffizi Galleries, one of the world’s most renowned art museums, will surely take up an entire day if you are serious about it. Then there is the Duomo, the Santo Spirito church and the Ponte Vecchio. In fact, there’s so much to see in Florence that we can’t possibly list it all, but here are some of the sights that you must see.
Apart from the Uffizi, the National Museum of the Bargello is one of Florence's most famous museums, housing splendid samples of Renaissance and Mannerist sculpture, including works by Michelangelo, Donatello, Bartolomeo Ammannati, Bartolomeo Bandinelli, Andrea and Jacopo Sansovino, and Antonio Rossellino. The Accademia is yet another storehouse of sculptures, among them Michelangelo’s immortal David and the unfinished Slaves.
Then there’s the Pitti Palace, the former home of the Medici family, the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, the Institute and Museum of the History of Science, housing the room of Galileo Galilei along with some of his original instruments, the American Cemetery, the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Ponte Vecchio (the only Florentine bridge to survive WW II), and the church of Santa Croce with the tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Dante.
We haven’t managed to get all the attractions of Florence on our list, so you need to see for yourself to find those out, but we have a far more comprehensive list of accommodation in Florence (www.yourwaytotuscany.com/Florence.htm) that we think will help you immensely. Whether you are looking for Florence hotels, exclusive luxury rental apartments, charmingly restored Florentine villas, or a simple bed & breakfast, we can tell you where to go.
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
TUSCANY BED & BREAKFASTS: CATCH THE LOCAL FLAVOUR
Tuscany is paradise on earth for most Tuscans, and for several thousand tourists as well. Naturally, for a region that thrives on tourism, accommodation facilities are as varied as they are comfortable, keeping in mind the individual requirements of a traveller. And bed and breakfasts are among the most popular forms of accommodation in Tuscany, because these are largely farm-based accommodation units that give you a genuine taste of rural Tuscan life. As you probably know, Tuscany is famed for its vineyards and olive orchards, and agritourism is immensely popular among visitors. Our list of Tuscany bed & breakfasts is perfect for you to experience all the charms of Tuscany at its best.
The Tuscany bed & breakfasts that we have selected offer the best in modern comforts while retaining all their old world charm. We also provide you a direct link to the accommodation of your choice, so you can deal with the host directly. Many of our bed & breakfasts in Tuscany also host wine tasting sessions, and guests are welcome to participate, because you need not be a sommelier to appreciate good wine.
The essence of any bed & breakfast is homeliness and a family atmosphere. While we certainly guarantee those in any Tuscan bed & breakfast of our choice, you will also be treated like royalty and stay in surroundings that are best described as plush. At the Castello della Paneretta, for instance, you have five finely furnished bedrooms in the relais adjacent to the castle. The bed & breakfast is located in the Montesanto area, and is renowned for vineyards. The garden in front of the property is outstanding for its magnificent lawn bordered by green fences alternating with rose bushes and elegant statues. The ground-floor rooms host tasting sessions of the prestigious wines produced by the estate, and special dinners based on typical Tuscan dishes, carefully prepared by the family chefs.
That is merely one example of the kind of accommodation that we offer you if you choose a Tuscany bed & breakfast from our list. You will experience the delights of some excellent and typically Tuscan cooking, sample some of the world’s best wines, and live amidst some of the most beautiful landscapes to be found in Italy. What more could you ask for on a vacation to this beautiful country? For a complete list of Tuscany bed & breakfasts, please visit us without delay!
