Tuscany isn’t all about about art and architecture. In order to get a complete Tuscan experience, don’t overlook its stunning countryside. A great way to experience the slow pace and natural beauty of Tuscany is to take a few days off the beaten track and stay on a farm. Most […]
Italy is famous for its art and food but also for its fashion and design. The heart of super car design and production is in Emilia Romagna, the region to the North West of Tuscany. Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, Ducati and other world famous brands are all from the area called […]
The city of Pienza is about 1.40 hour from Florence to the south of Siena. It was completely remodelled to represent the architectural style of the Renaissance in honour of Pope Pius II. Pienza, with its perfect proportions and aesthetically pleasing buildings is considered the Ideal City, and a model […]
A Brief History Piazzale Michelangelo is located south of the city center on the right side of the Arno river. It was designed by architect Giuseppe Poggi in 1869. At the time, Florence was the capital of Italy, and to celebrate this fact, the city was “beautified” and modernised. The […]
Art lovers cannot go to Florence without visiting the Galleria dell’Accademia where the famous sculpture of David lives. The museum is located in via Ricasoli 58/60, a short 6 minute walk from the Florence Cathedral. The Accademia’s rooms are organised in different collections, mostly divided by medium (painting, sculpture, music) […]
All the art and culture of Florence can at times be exhausting. If you are in need of a change of pace but don’t have time to head out to the Tuscan countryside or seaside, there is an alternate solution: seek refuge in one of Florence’s many gardens. The capital […]
The first Jewish community in Florence dates back to Florence has one of the oldest continuous Jewish communities in Europe. Though there are some mentions of Jews in Florence as far back as the 12th century, the community really started growing in the 14th century. Most people worked as merchants […]
The beautiful city of Siena, in the centre of Tuscany, hosts the famous Palio twice a year. This exciting historical horse race, where the different contrade (city wards) face off to find out which one will be crowned the winner for the rest of the year, takes place on July […]
The beautiful city of Lucca, in the North West of Tuscany managed to stay a City State for most of its history. But come 1805, the town was conquered by Napoleon. The French Emperor placed his sister, Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, as ruler. She was named the Princess of Lucca. There […]
The traditional bottle of Chianti red has a very distinctive shape, tapered at the top with a rounded straw covered bottom. Though these bottles are slowly disappearing from most Italian tables and are almost only sold as souvenirs, they still carry a legacy and long standing history. In this article […]
The Medici family is synonymous to the Italian Renaissance. They made Florence into the hub of the Humanist movement in Italy and Southern Europe. This extremely wealthy family of bankers managed to become the unofficial rulers of the city through business and political manoeuvring. The Medicis have always been patrons […]
