Florence Travel Articles


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Home | Florence

Florence Travel Articles

The city of Florence is known by many tag lines - "city of art" or "cradle of the Renaissance" or "city of Stone" - to name just a few. They all point to the fact that Florence is a world capital of art and architecture. Two of the world's greatest museums are musts for any visit to Firenze - the Uffizi Galleries for works by Botticelli, Giotto and DaVinci and the Accademia for the David by Michelangelo. There are many more art museums to explore and so much to do in Florence. Buy a gelato and take a stroll over the Ponte Vecchio. Visit the Boboli Gardens on a lovely day. Shop for leather in one of the markets. Dive into a traditional Tuscan meal at one of the city's great trattorie.

The following articles are free for all readers to access:

Florence's Science Museum Reopens as Museo Galileo
Which Florence Museums Are Open on Mondays
Florence's Giovanni: Not Just a Chip Off the Old Block
Learn and Eat at Florence's Olio & Convivium
Italy Events Calendar: What's Happening in Italy in 2010

The articles below are available to paid subscribers only:

The Dream Interview: Tuscany and Umbria Insider Barrie Kerper (July/August 2010)
Kerper is such a thorough researcher she would put any librarian at the Library of Congress to shame. She finds out absolutely everything about a place -- much of it through the eyes of other great travel writers -- and the presents the essential and the fascinating in a compelling way. . . . read more

Cheat Sheet: Where to Shop in Florence Italy (Dec. 2009/Jan. 2010)
Florence Italy is a shopping dream. The best stores are those that are tucked away on little side streets and known mostly to the locals. We reveal where to buy leather, Florentine beauty products, art work, gold jewelry, Tuscan foods and more! . . . read more

Hotels and Apartments to Come Home to in Florence Italy (November 2009)
Author Barbara Ohrbach fills us in on where to stay in Florence - from old favorites to apartment rentals (including a unique church-owned flat) to hotels in the hills above Florence. . . . read more

One Italian Expert's Guide to Florence: What to See and Do in the City of Art (May 2009)
Having to traveled to Florence for nearly three decades, this expert on the Italian language recommends her favorite Florence restaurants (one with an amazing view), where to stay in Rome (including apartment rentals) and what sites not to miss. . . . read more

The Dream Interview: Catching Up with the Diva of Tuscan Cooking (May 2009)
We catch up with our friend - the diva of Tuscan cooking, chef, cooking school owner, culinary tour guide and now cookbook author - Judy Witts Francini. She shares the secrets of Tuscan cooking and her favorites places to eat in Florence and Tuscany. . . . read more

Tuscan Recipe: Diva's "Ravioli Gnudi" (Naked Ravioli) (May 2009)
Divina Cucina Judy Witts Francini shares her recipe for an easy and delicious Tuscan dish - Ravioli Gnudi. . . . read more

Shopping in Florence: Get Your Own Custom Perfume Created (May 2009)
This Tuscan master of perfume making will make you your own custom scent during a consultation in Florence. . . . read more

New Italy Hotels to Check Out and Check Into (February 2009)
New luxury hotel in Florence...More airport choices at Malpensa...Fashion house to open Milan hotel...Hilton adds another lodging option in Palermo...Two new golf resorts . . . read more

Following Florentines to Their Favorite Florence Restaurants and Eateries (November 2008)
Several days spent heeding the advice of Florentine friends and acquaintances (and, even better, accompanying them to favorite haunts) yielded an idiosyncratic but highly recommended list of dining destinations. . . . read more

Four Seasons Hotel Opens in Florence (October 2008)
After seven long years, the Four Seasons finally opens in Florence...and doesn't disappoint. . . . read more

Recommended Rental Agencies, Apartments and Villas in Italy (September 2008)
The best part of this special report - a listing of over 50 agencies, apartments and villas that we've tried and like - from apartments rentals in Rome to villas overlooking the Amalfi Coast. . . . read more

Ring THIS Bell for Unique Florentine Experiences (July/August 2008)
If you've done the Uffizi, done the Accademia and Santa Croce, and still want something more, how about yoga and cooking classes? Olive-picking excursions? . . . read more

Watch Art Restoration in Action at Florence's Uffizi (July/August 2008)
If you've ever wondered just what kind of work goes into restoring priceless works of art to their original luster, now you can see for yourself... . . . read more

Hitting the Links: Playing Golf in Italy (April 2008)
While only 100,000 Italians play golf, there are some incredible golf courses in the Lakes, Tuscany and Lazio where travelers can experience golf in Italy. Lots of details on where to stay, where to play and special Italian golf notes. . . . read more

Walk with the Medicis Through the Vasari Corridor Over the Ponte Vecchio (April 2008)
Did you know that the top of Florence's Ponte Vecchio holds a private passageway filled with art? Here's how you can visit the Vasari Corridor on your next visit to the Uffizi. . . . read more

New Florence Restaurant: Sesame Offers Hip Dining (March 2008)
In a city where the Renaissance and steak reign supreme, a departure from the established norm is daring and risky. But this is precisely what Osvaldo Mellini has done at his new restaurant. . . . read more

Santo Spirito Reopens in Florence (February 2008)
One of Florence's most prized historic and religious gems, the 15th-century Basilica di Santo Spirito, has reopened its doors after having been closed to the public for two years. . . . read more

Disney Tour Does Italy (October 2007)
Adventures by Disney gives families a new and organized way to tour Italy and make it fun for young and old family members alike. Our writer takes her family of one of their first Italy tours. . . . read more

A Resource for Shopping Till You Drop in Florence (October 2007)
The author of this handy shopping guide describes over 70 shops as if she's creating a sort of "treasure map" for a friend who wants to discover Florence's little-known gems. . . . read more

It Pays to Become A Friend of the Uffizi Museum (April 2007)
Find out how becoming a member of the association Friends of the Uffizi can save you time waiting in line at one of Florence's most popular museums. . . . read more

Noteworthy Italy Hotel Openings (April 2007)
Check out these new digs in Florence, Milan, Rome, Venice, Puglia, Sicily and Tuscany. Lots of new Italy hotels are opening! . . . read more

Florence's Residence Hilda Marries Apartment and Hotel Living (March 2007)
A wonderful new set of Florentine apartments marries the best of the apartment experience with the convenience of hotel service and its location cannot be beat. . . . read more

Westin Enhances Italian Stays (March 2007)
Westin Hotels & Resorts have introduced nightly social and cultural events in all of their hotels including their Italian properties to encourage guests to relax, socialize and learn something new at the same time. . . . read more

Family Travel: Take the Kids to Italy (February 2007 - Updated 2010)
Just married, we set off on a second, impromptu honeymoon for a bike tour of Italy. Just the two of . . . read more

Cypresses and Cylinders: Italy by Ferrari (October 2005 - Updated 2010)
The vehicle: a new Ferrari F430 F1. The country: Italy. You: behind the wheel. Sound like your wildest Italian dream? One company is ready to make it a reality. . . . read more

Florence's Mud Angels: Forty Years After the Flood (September 2006)
When Florence was submerged in seven and a half inches of muddy water forty years ago, the city's art and cultural works were in desperate need of guardian angels, which came in the form of the "Mud Angels" . . . read more

Restaurant News and Notes from Around Italy
New ownership of Amalfi classic; Florence restaurants with all day service; Rome eatery adds Michelin star and more. . . . read more

April 2006 (Florence/Rome)
Florence Solo: The Ups and Downs of Going Alone A single woman has a dream to see Florence . . . read more

This Historic Villa Hotel Takes 'Top Dog' Honors (March 2006)
No expense has been spared at this new villa hotel overlooking Florence. The villa estate, a working farm, has ties to some of the most famous men of the Renaissance. . . . read more

Get Up Close and Personal with a Florentine Fresco (April 2006)
See a Florentine fresco in a way few will ever get to -- up close and personal -- with this tour group. . . . read more

Segway Tours Hit Florence, Rome (April 2006)
Cruise through Florence and Rome in style -- on a segway! . . . read more

Florence Airport Temporarily Closed (March 2006)
Florence Airport Temporarily Closed If youre looking to visit Florence in the next month . . . read more

On Exhibit(February 2006)
Check out what's on exhibit in Rome and Florence. . . . read more

News, Tips, Deals and Events (December 2005)
Florence's Ferragamo Museum Celebrates the Art of Shoes Let me start with a disclosu . . . read more

Piazzas and Prosecco: New Year's Eve in Italy (December 2005)
Piazzas and Prosecco: New Year's Eve in Italy New York's Times Square isn't the only . . . read more

Florence's Ferragamo Museum Celebrates the Art of Shoes (December 2005)
Florence's Ferragamo Museum Celebrates the Art of Shoes Let me start with a disclosu . . . read more

December 2005/January 2006
In this issue, you can ride aboard the Orient-Express, visit one of Venice's best boutique hotels, celebrate shoes at Florence's Ferragamo Museum and nosh at a Florentine grastonomia aka deli. . . . read more

New Italy Hotels on the Horizon (October 2005)
There's new hotels on the horizon in Florence, Venice, Rome, Capri and Rimini. . . . read more

July/August 2005
This issue takes you on a culinary tour of Modena (featuring balsamic vinegar); introduces Emilia-Romagna's best restaurant; shares a dog's tale of Siena's Palio; gives helpful hints on how to get tickets for Palio events; reveals bargain places to stay in Florence; reviews new Italian cookbooks. (8 pages) . . . read more

June 2005- Special Report: Florence
Our special report on Florence suggests four new Florence hotels; explains the Academia della Crusca through the image of the pala and a fabulous Florentine meal; tells you where to find the real Room With A View; takes you to Villa La Petra in the Florentine hills; plus The Dream Interview with cookbook author Faith Willinger and where to find Florence's best gelato. . . . read more

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