Archive for 'Florence'

Florence has been home or setting to many novels, films and television shows in the past and continues to inspire the world's writers and creators today. One such writer is Thomas Harris who made Florence one of the locations in his famous tales of Hannibal Lecter which then went on to be adapted into an immensely popular series of movies. In the movie, “The Silence of The Lambs,” Florence is first visible through a sketch done by Lecter which is on display in the prison cell in which he is being held in Memphis. It depicts the skyline over the city as seen from Forte Belvedere.

Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance, one of the greatest centres of art in the whole world, home to Michelangelo's “David” and countless other masterpieces by some of the most famous artists in history. It is also a city with history written into its very streets. One can barely turn around without seeing a landmark or a remnant of times gone by. In such cities, graffiti is rarely welcome. People see it and are horrified at the vandalising of history. However, even Michelangelo left a tiny piece of street art in the city and, today, another artist is doing the same but in a very respectful, tongue-in-cheek manner.

One of the best things about Florence is how every corner, piazza and street seems beautiful and steeped in history. Without even going inside any of the buildings, there is a wealth of culture and history and art all around you. Once you've found a luxury villa in Florence and have arrived for a holiday, it's key to find time to wander her streets and take in the atmosphere of the city. Traipsing all over a city is bound to make your energy dwindle and finding a market to grab some food and sit for a moment, maybe find some unique souvenirs, is key. It's also another part of the city's charms. We've already outlined a couple markets that you should swing by in a previous article but here are a few more.

Imagine, if you will, a holiday in Florence. Not one filled with stuffy queues and running around endlessly from tourist sight to tourist sight but one in which you utterly take your time. Of course, you'll still probably find time to catch a glimpse of Michelangelo's “David” or visit a Medici palace but calmly, leisurely. In the morning, you might forego breakfast at home in the luxury villa in Florence that you've found and, instead, wander to one of the many markets the city has to offer. You can grab some food at a stall, people-watch and then check out the other wares available. Maybe you'll spend the day doing so, in fact. Here are the best of them.

The Costume Gallery of Florence is housed in the seventeenth-century wing of Palazzo Pitti, known as the Palazzina della Meridiana. It was founded in 1983 and through both major acquisitions and public and private donations, its collection now boasts over 6,000 objects, making it one of the best, and most important, fashion museums in the whole world. For any serious history or fashion buffs, as well as well-read fashionistas, it's a must-see in one of Italy's most historic fashion centres.