Archive for 'Florence'

Now that you know where to go for bargains in Florence, it seems only fitting to discuss some of the greatest and most important designers to come from the city. Most are still headquartered there and Florence's history is intimately connected to clothing and design. It is, of course, well-known that Florence was a great art centre in the Renaissance but its wealth, which allowed for the production of all that art, came, in part, from the roaring wool and silk trade of the Middle Ages. The rise of the Medici from merchants to almost-kings led to their becoming taste-makers and influencers, the first fashionistas, if you will.

Lampredotto is a traditional Florentine street food which is considered a fundamental part of Florence's food identity. As is the case with much of typical Tuscan cuisine, it has roots in peasant diets. Typically served as a sandwich and sold at stalls in the streets, it is made from beef tripe, specifically stomach.

The dish is so popular that there is now even an app which can be downloaded to help you locate sellers in the city. While a favourite to locals and passionately backed by food bloggers, critics, chefs and laymen alike, the thought of the contents can put some people off.

One of the things that immediately springs to mind when people think of Italy is fashion, however, designer brands are not within everyone's budget. Plus, nothing beats the thrill of finding a good bargain. This is precisely why outlet shopping is increasingly popular and, in the area around Florence, there are plenty of outlets to choose from.

If you are planning a holiday to Italy and want to treat yourself while there, find a villa with pool in Florence as a base and spend days exploring the surrounding countryside as you make your way to a range of outlets dotted in the landscape.

Donatello's name is one of the most enduringly famous of all Italian Renaissance artists but most are more likely to be familiar with the work of the Ninja Turtle than the sculptor. In fact, unlike with Da Vinci or Michelangelo, most would be hard pressed to even name a single one of his works which is rather a crying shame. Why not find a luxury villa in Florence and plan a trip to rectify this? Explore the city, see the sights and take note of the following works which are must-sees and a good introduction to the artist and his oeuvre.

An obvious choice is his “David”. Less well-known than Michelangelo's, it was divisive at the time.

Being on holidays means treating yourself; eating out multiple times a day, drinking a little more than maybe you should, taking taxis for journeys you might normally walk, and generally just being a little bit more indulgent than normal.

Shopping, buying souvenirs and gifts for people at home is all a part of most people's vacations. However, when you find yourself somewhere completely alien to you, it can be difficult to even know where to start or where to find particular things that you might be looking for.