Florence, Italy

     Florence, Italy... capital of Tuscany, center of the art and history of the Italian Renaissance and by far my favorite city in the world. The feeling of this city is unimaginable and the only way to understand it is to find out for yourself. One of many highlights of Florence is the Duomo, or Brunelleschi's Dome, being named that because Brunelleschi painted the interior of the dome. This massive cathedral towers high above all other buildings in Florence and emits a presence that lingers with you as you pass through the city.

 
For only €10 you get to climb the dome, the bell tower attached and visit the museum below the Duomo that houses the ruined foundations of the cathedral during the time of Ancient Rome. Climbing the dome is the most extraordinary experience. The hike up brings you to the base of the beautiful art on the interior of the dome and continues to the spire atop the dome, giving the most breath taking view of the Renaissance city.

     A pleasant 5 minute walk from the Duomo will bring you to the Palazzo Vecchio, the Old Palace, and the Ponte Vecchio, the Old Bridge. Both are incredible monuments of Florence and its' history. The Palazzo Vecchio was once home to the Medici Family, the most influential family in the history of Tuscany and was later used as a political center. Today, it stands as a museum connected to the famous Uffizi Gallery. The gallery presents works for Botticelli, Rafael, Michelangelo and many more. Not far from Uffizi, the Accademia Museum displays the David from Michelangelo.

     Beyond being the largest bridge in Florence, the Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge along the Arno River that was not destroyed during WWII. The bridge is so large, unless you are paying attention, you can wonder onto the bridge and think you are still walking in the street. It is absolutely amazing.

     Our travels took us slightly outside of the city to a town called Greve in Chianti, part of the Chianti region, where we visited the vineyards responsible for the production of Chianti wine. The Tuscan countryside is simply fantastic and the wine is as good as it gets. While in Greve, we tasted their braised wild boar, deliciously slathered with an herbal Tuscan sauce atop yummy polenta. When you are anywhere in Italy, you have to treat yourself to a gelato. Most Gelatarie in Italy make their gelato on location, making it as fresh and delicious as it gets. Chianti, gelato and Florence are the formula for the perfect travel location that you simply cannot get enough of.