Splendiferous at every turn.

That’s Florence, the captivating Italian city in Tuscany, referred to by Mark Twain as – City of Dreams.

Steeped in history thousands of years old Florence has an abundance of timeless art, amazing panoramic views, elegant, rustic, Tuscan cuisine and incredible boutique shopping offering the finest of Italian goods.

Florence is nothing short of spectacular – as we discovered, spending a week there.
Here are some of our favourite places.

Enjoy.

To understand and appreciate Florence you got to know its history – a history that still shapes and guides this fabulous place in the heart of Tuscany, Italy’s most spectacular region.

Built on the site of an Etruscan settlement, Florence, garnered its powerful and long-lasting cultural influence under the Medici family in the 15th. and 16th. century.

Under the Medici”s, Florence basked in the glory of 600 years of extraordinary artistic activity.

The House of Medici was an Italian banking family and political dynasty that gathered prominence under Cosimo de’ Medici, in the Republic of Florence during the first half of the 15th century. The family prospered, eventually creating the Medici Bank, facilitating its political power base.

The greatest accomplishments of the Medici was their patronage of the arts and architecture – resulting in fabulous art and architecture.

The gallery, located 16th-century building, is a treasure trove of Renaissance paintings and masterpieces.

Here are some of them.

Enjoy.

Pitti Palace

The Pitti Palace was purchased in 1550 by the most influential of the Medici’s, Cosimo I de’ Medici and his wife Eleanor of Toledo as their new residence.

It soon became the new symbol of the Medici’s power over Tuscany.

Today the palace – preserved in its original splendour – is a testimony to the opulence, grandiosity, craftsmanship, of an era, unlike any other in history

Bistecca alla Fiorentina 

Aside from fabulous art and architecture Florence also is known for one of the most famous dishes in the world – bistecca alla Florentina.

The steak, a T-bone steak, comes from the Chianina (large white) cows, a breed from Valdichiana, in Tuscany.

The steak was a favourite of the Medici family and once a year every resident in Florence was treated to a steak meal by the family.

We had our steak at the restaurant, Regina Bistecca al Duomo.

Magical.

Mercato Centrale

Food markets are a tradition in Italy.

The 19th. century Mercado Centrale is out of this world.

Here you can either buy the freshest, finest of foods or you can go to the food court and enjoy a splendiferous meal.

So let’s take a look.

The streets of Florence are great for strolling, window shopping or buying some of the finest goods Italy has to offer.

So let’s stroll.

And during one of our strolls we ended up buying a small oil painting – a typical Tuscan landscape with sunflowers galore.

After that we went to see the world famous statute of Michelangelo’s David at the famous Accademia Gallery of Florence.

Every Wednesday, veteran journalist, George Froehlich, gets personal – sharing with you, his amazing travel destinations, his wonderful recipes, art he loves, music he enjoys.
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