Into the birthplace of renaissance ~ Florence

Welcome to the city of Dante, Nicollo Machiavelli and Michelangelo and the place where Leonardo da Vinci learned how to paint, welcome to Firenze. We enjoyed a few of the greatest art works created during the exciting renaissance age. In painting it revived realism and emotion. The artists expressed optimism and confidence in that age and even beyond the art, Florence knows how to embrace life. This flourishing mediterranean city whose history dates back to 59 BC, is now one of the highlights of the trip to Europe. More than 1400 years after the roman settlement, the church and the wealthy merchant families ruled Florence. The medici family was responsible for the greatest buildings and most elaborate arts. An example of their effort is the 'basilica di San Lorenzo', designed by Philipo Brunellisci. He also built the dome of Santa Maria del Fiori, the cathedral of Florence. Lovers of religious art wont miss the Uffizzi gallery. There is a street where you can find various type of artists sitting in an open air street gallery and drawing different kinds of art. The streets of Florence are packed with artists working in their shops. Artisans busy in work offer a rare oppertunity to see traditional craftsmanship in action. There are sculptures in the streets every where you look, specially the ones in Piazza Signoria namey Hercules and Nero, the rape of the Sabine woman, statue of Benveneto Cellini, the rape of Polyxena, statue of the greek hero Menelaus in Loggia dei Lanzi and last but not the least "Fontana di neptune" a work of Ammannati reflects the pattern of renaissance art. The larger than life statue of David by Michelangelo, a renaissance man with a larger right hand, is among the most famous sculptures in the world. There is a replica of it in Piazza Signoria, but the original one is kept safe in Accademia gallery. As one of the old residences of Medici family, Palazzo Pitti houses their heirlooms in its expensive public galleries. Florence is one of those destinations which captures the heart of so many travellers. 

Foods to Eat : Being in the heart of Tuscany you need to taste the world famous chianti wine which mixes very well with the famous fiorentine beef steek. The traditional italian open air restaurents and live street music add its glory.