The Art of the Renaissance is everywhere in Florence and lies awaiting discovery and scrutiny by all whose curiosity is piqued by the masters' creative genius. Guided by skillful hands, these gifted artists created masterpieces on canvas, in marble, in writing and in the design of some of the most inspiring architecture in the world - monuments and buildings designed by Michelangelo - the Florentine and Brunelleschi, a "Divine Comedy" by Dante, the master strokes of Botticelli and let's not forget the Medici, the leading family driving the Renaissance and their generous and outpouring support of the arts. Imagine all of this right here in Florence!
What else does Florence have to offer? Well for starters, there's the Duomo in the city center - Santa Maria del Fiori with its largest brick and mortar dome ever built even to this day (Pantheon is larger but made of concrete); the Baptistry and its
"Gates of Paradise"; the shopping at the
Ponte Vecchio; the sculpture collections at the
Bargello Museum, the art of the Uffizi and Accademia (my next posting); the
Medici Chapels in San Lorenzo;
Santa Croce where Michelangelo lays to rest; the
Piazza della Signoria; the
Pitti Palace and
Boboli Gardens just across the Arno River; and there's so much more. Want a bird's eye view of most of this? Visit
Italy Guides and have a look around high atop Giotto's campanile. It's breathtaking!
We will explore these places plus others in upcoming postings so by the time we leave Florence and Tuscany, you and I will have relived the wonderful memories and maybe learned a thing or two as well. And then we can reflect on how the city that gave birth to the Renaissance, resurrected the classics and lead the way for the world out of the Dark Ages and into the light!
To discover all that this Tuscan city has to offer seems Herculean, however, if you properly plan your visit before you leave home, you are sure to make the most of your time. Just remember, you're never going to do it in one trip so don’t try lest you'll end up disappointed and exhausted. Instead, take your time, go slowly through the sights and know you can always return again. Actually, that's a most comforting thought, to return to Florence! So, come with me as we journey together to seek out all that Florence has to reveal.
What else does Florence have to offer? Well for starters, there's the Duomo in the city center - Santa Maria del Fiori with its largest brick and mortar dome ever built even to this day (Pantheon is larger but made of concrete); the Baptistry and its "Gates of Paradise"; the shopping at the Ponte Vecchio; the sculpture collections at the Bargello Museum, the art of the Uffizi and Accademia (my next posting); the Medici Chapels in San Lorenzo; Santa Croce where Michelangelo lays to rest; the Piazza della Signoria; the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens just across the Arno River; and there's so much more. Want a bird's eye view of most of this? Visit Italy Guides and have a look around high atop Giotto's campanile. It's breathtaking!
We will explore these places plus others in upcoming postings so by the time we leave Florence and Tuscany, you and I will have relived the wonderful memories and maybe learned a thing or two as well. And then we can reflect on how the city that gave birth to the Renaissance, resurrected the classics and lead the way for the world out of the Dark Ages and into the light! 
To discover all that this Tuscan city has to offer seems Herculean, however, if you properly plan your visit before you leave home, you are sure to make the most of your time. Just remember, you're never going to do it in one trip so don’t try lest you'll end up disappointed and exhausted. Instead, take your time, go slowly through the sights and know you can always return again. Actually, that's a most comforting thought, to return to Florence! So, come with me as we journey together to seek out all that Florence has to reveal.
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