TEXAN TRAVEL

Tuscany

Tuscan trips usually begin and end in Florence. In order to see the very best Tuscany has to offer, visit the region by car or tour bus. However in the cities, train connections between major towns in Italy are quite good. There is now a bullet train that will take you from Rome in one hour to Florence. You can easily adapt your needs to your way of traveling. I love the trains but prefer to drive in Tuscany.

Truly one of the most beautiful places in Italy is Florence. The world famous Duomo is the heart of the city in the old town. The enormous redtiled dome, which is the biggest brick and mortar dome in the world is a symbol that has defined the city for over 500 years. It’s the staple of Florence’s magnificent skyline. The Ponte Vecchio, or “old bridge,” is a medieval stone bridge over the Arno River. It’s enclosed for foot traffic and noted for its many artisan shops including jewelers, art dealers and souvenir sellers.

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most important Italian museums. This is a must and holds a collection of priceless works, particularly from the Italian Renaissance create by artists whose names you will recognize. BUT, there is a small church close to the Medici palace that you have to visit. In Florence, like a lot of cities, if you were famous then you were buried in a church. The Basilica of Santa Croce is small but you will find the grave and monuments of Michelangelo, who died in 1564 at the age of 89.

Also, in the same church, Galileo, Leonardo and Rossini are buried. Trust me, it is very impressive. As you leave the church, go across the street. You’ll find a great leather store for men and women. Now all within the old town section, you can walk to Piazzale Michelangelo for the best view of the city.

Tip:

Did you know that you can book a priority entrance ticket to the Dome or museums? This saves a lot of time, as the lines can be quite long during the summer.