Florence, Italy - Of David and Such
Often consider "Rome Light", Florence is the city of the Medici
and art galore. Despite this, there is an odd modern influence
in this hallowed city.
Florence
When it came to the Renaissance, Florence was definitely one of
the places to be. The city is full of examples of the past
whether from great artist, architecture or significant sites.
The city center dominates travel guides, but gardens and
interesting sites can be seen by just strolling through the
city.
Head to the Santa Maria Novella Church and you are in a ritzy
section of town. High-end shops abound as do the headquarters of
world famous fashion houses such as Versace and Ferragamo. The
Basso Fortress is worth a look, but has been turned into more or
less a modern convention center.
For evenings, you want to stroll over to the Santo Spirito
Oltrarano area where you will find tons of cafes. The area is
particularly nice because it contains the Medici's Boboli
Gardens, which are definitely worth exploring with their
fountains, walkways and, well, gardens. Just go.
When it comes to art, Florence matches up with many of the top
destinations in Europe. You'll find museums with Michelangelo's
David and famous paintings from a variety of artists. The
museums tend to be packed, so be prepared. Still, it is
definitely one of those things you have to do.
The Florence Twist
I may be burned at the stake for saying this, but I found
Florence to be largely forgettable. There is no disputing the
cities place in history nor the incredible architecture, art and
gardens throughout it. Something about the place, however, feels
artificial. It is as though Florence has become a modern city,
but parades it's past solely for the all mighty tourist
currency. Then again, I could be wrong.
Regardless of your feelings about Florence, it is a city you
should definitely visit for the art. I've rarely stayed more
than two days, and usually only if I've missed a train.