Tag Archives: florence

4 Places to Enjoy Spring in Europe

Girl, uniterrupted. CC Image by Ian Muir (Flickr).

By DANIEL HOGAN

Europe is a continent sized adventure land, mesmerizing idealistic tourists with the promise of history, romance, and memories to last a lifetime. With so many enticing options, planning your trip across the pond can be overwhelming. Here are a few places that are sure to captivate your adventurous spirit and exceed your expectations for the ultimate European vacation!

Las Ramblas (Barcelona)

The energetic atmosphere and cultural vibe filling Las Ramblas makes it one of the most captivating streets in Barcelona. It is not only a beautiful avenue, outlined with towering trees and ornate buildings, but a popular shopping quarter. Local and internationally known shops and stores, like Zara, line the outskirts of Las Ramblas, which is always filled with locals, tourists, and those simply out for a stroll. One of the key attractions on Las Ramblas is La Boqueria, an outdoor market offering specialty foods, desserts and fruit juices. After spending a day of shopping on Las Ramblas, La Boqueria is the perfect location to rejuvenate during lunch and experience the local culture.

Vondelpark (Amsterdam)

Vondelpark 4 Places to Enjoy Spring in Europe

Vondel Wonder. CC Image by Amsterdamized (Flickr).

Nestled in the heart of Amsterdam, Vondelpark is the city’s largest park, boasting a bike trail, multiple ponds, four restaurants, and stunning grassy fields. Thousands of locals, tourists, and students flock to Vondelpark daily, soaking up the sun’s heat in a relaxed, outdoor setting. Groups of friends are always seen playing soccer on the grassy landscape or riding bikes around the park’s outer path. During your European adventure, Vondelpark should definitely be on your list of things to do in Amsterdam.

Hofbräuhaus (Munich)

Hofbräuhaus 4 Places to Enjoy Spring in Europe

Cheating. CC Image by Jenn Vargas (Flickr).

A signature to Bavarian culture is the beer and Hofbräuhaus is a historic landmark in Munich combining this German tradition with bratwurst, pretzels, and good company. The moment you step into the doors of Hofbräuhaus, sounds of a Bavarian band and guests singing national songs ring through your ears. The ceiling is adorned with elaborate paintings of flowers while waitresses, donning traditional Bavarian dress, weave through the crowds selling giant pretzels to patrons. A “come as you are” mentality fills the atmosphere of Hofbräuhaus. Rather than being seated by a waitress, guests are welcome to sit at any one of Hofbräuhaus’ long tables, fostering a friendly environment of mutiple nationalities. For things to do in Munich, Hofbräuhaus should definitely be at the top of your list.

Piazzale Michelangelo (Florence)

Piazzale Michelangelo 4 Places to Enjoy Spring in Europe

Piazzale Michelangelo. CC Image by Humayun Rashid (Flickr).

Perched upon a hill overlooking the entire Florentine valley, Piazzale Michelangelo is one of Florence’s most unique and beautiful squares because of its overarching view. Although the square is located a bit outside the city’s center, about a 10-minute cab drive, it is the perfect location to relax with friends over a bottle of wine while admiring the Florentine landscape. The panorama is especially striking just before sunset, when guests see Florence dazzling in lights. Though Piazzale Michelangelo is mainly a tourist hub, with only a few locals, it is definitely one of the most spectacular places to visit Florence.

Daniel Hogan is a writer at Party Earth - a global media and entertainment company that publishes reviews and listings of the best social experiences around the world including: things to do in Amsterdam, beaches in Ibiza, plazas in Rome, bars in Los Angeles, parks in New York, festivals and concerts everywhere, and more.

Area Fiorentina, the Surrounding Area of Florence

Travel Through Europe This Spring

4 Replies

A suggested route for a European trip. When you pass through Prague on your trip, consider one the many Prague apartments to rent.

view from eiffel tower Travel Through Europe This Spring

View from the Eiffel Tower.

Europe offers one of the most intense travel experiences in the world, with a diversity of cultures and customs packed into a relatively small geographical area, meaning that visitors can really make the most of a visit of any length to get a real feel for the area.

One of the best ways to approach the planning of a European tour is to take in as many capital cities as possible, as plotting such a route through the continent offers many more exciting experiences along the way.

London

For many travelers, one of the highlights of a European visit will be London. The UK capital has long been an influential city on the global scene, from the swinging sixties when it led the world in fashion and music to the present day as it prepares to host the 2012 Olympic Games.

For this reason, those looking to head to Europe on their travels would benefit to start by finding cheap flights to London and using this as their jumping off point for the rest of their journey. On arrival attractions in London include the London Eye – the biggest “big wheel” in the world – and Westminster Abbey, which will host the Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Paris

From London it is just a short hop across the channel to France as travelers head for Paris – the City of Light. A world away from its near neighbour, the French capital epitomizes all that many outsiders consider Europe to be with its wonderful wide boulevards and breathtaking architecture. Must see sights include the iconic Eiffel Tower – a structure that has stood as a symbol of the city for more than a century. Other areas to visit include artistic Montmartre, home to the Sacre Coeur cathedral, and world renowned shopping street of the Champs Elysees.

Spain

From Paris, visitors can choose to head south to Spain, where both the capital Madrid and beautiful Barcelona are cities not to be missed, with the opportunity to head for the country’s famous costas for some beach based rest and relaxation.

Central Europe

Alternatively, visit Germany, Switzerland, or Austria, where central European culture begins to make its mark offering an experience that is a world away from the mellow Mediterranean mood of some neighboring nations.

Italy

Heading onward to Italy, visitors can immerse themselves in the remnants of the ancient Roman culture at Rome’s Colosseum, or soak up the country’s history and heritage by viewing some amazing art and architecture. Other Italian cities not to be missed include Venice with its intricate network of canals, and Florence whose renaissance past is still apparent on every street. History buffs should head for the Neapolitan Riviera to combine stunning scenery with the Roman ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius.

Prague

prague old square Travel Through Europe This Spring A trip to modern Europe is not complete without venturing into the East, with many former communist countries now serving a lively tourist trade. Top of the pops in terms of eastern European capitals is Prague, whose rich history sits alongside a recently emerged cosmopolitan café culture making it a great place to round off a European tour.

Walk the well known Wenceslas Square and head for the Narodni Muzeum (national museum) for an insight into this culturally rich country, or relax al fresco on the Old Town Square, from where a range of exciting trips and tours can be joined, including those to the original Jewish ghetto or the city castles that once housed the kings of Bohemia.

Escape to Tuscany

1 Reply

World-renowned for its natural beauty, Mediterranean climate and rich cultural past, Tuscany on central Italy’s west coast is one of the countries most popular tourist regions. Tuscany holidays invite the traveller to a region which is considered in one breath with the Italian Renaissance and can boast of immense historical significance, particularly in the context of the arts and sciences. It enjoys enduring popularity with visitors who love culture during the day and traditional Tuscany accommodation at night.

Having been home to arguably the most famous collection of artistic and scientific talent the world has ever seen, including Michaelangelo, Botticelli, Dante, Leonardo Da Vinci and Galileo Galilei, when taking Tuscany holidays one can delight in a cultural experience that is second to none. The region’s immense cultural and artistic heritage is expressed in its countless churches, palaces, art galleries, museums, villages, piazzas and, of course, the unique Tuscany accommodation. On Tuscany holidays there is much to see in the main cities of Florence and Siena, but also in smaller surrounding villages such as San Gimignano.

Florence receives an average of 10 million visitors a year, making it one of the most visited cities in the world and a favourite amongst those on Tuscany holidays. Alongside the city’s historic centre, which has been designated a World Heritage Site, the region around Florence contains museums and art galleries housing some of the world’s most famous and valuable works of art. Such museums include; the Uffizi, which holds the best collection of Renaissance art in the world, including Botticelli’s Birth of Venus, the Pitti Palace and the Bargello. The museum also hosts entrancing street performers at night.

The original statue of David, Michelangelo’s unique masterpiece, is in the Galleria dell’Accademia delle Bella Arti in Florence. For those visitors who are more interested in science, the Institute and Museum of History of Science, located on the Piazza dei Giudici, contains 5,000 items from the Medici collection of apparatus and scientific instruments. When visiting Tuscany, accommodation in Florence is easy to arrange, with the city boasting great hotels and idyllic farmhouse properties found just outside in the rolling Tuscan landscape.

Many of Tuscany’s frescos, sculptures and paintings are also held in the region’s churches and cathedrals, concentrated in Florence, Siena and Pisa, which also boasts the infamous leaning tower and the Collegiata di San Gimignano. The small rural town of San Gimignano boasts a beautiful church square surrounded by ancient towers visible from miles away. When searching for Tuscany accommodation, one can stay in quaint old hotels or book a farmhouse or villa in the surrounding countryside. Tuscany is also famous for its outstanding wine, including the well-known region of Chianti along with nearby Montalcino and Montepulciano. When considering how to book Tuscany accommodation outside of the main cities, many visitors find renting rooms or properties in the countryside to be a great option and easily found online.

A Visit to the Uffizi Gallery

10 Replies

By ROBERTA LEONI

The Uffizi Gallery is located in Florence, Italy. It was commissioned to be built by Cosimo I de Medici in 1560. The architect, Giorgio Vasari, began construction on what was to be the offices of the Magistrates for Florence. This is how the Uffizi (offices) got its name. When Vasari passed away the work was continued by Bernardo Buontalenti and Alfonso Parigi. Following the designs which Vasari had made the building was completed in 1581.

The Medici family had an extensive collection of artwork they either collected or had commissioned by some of the leading artists of the time. Such great masterpieces needed to be displayed. The Uffizi was the perfect place to do this. The works were put on display and anyone who wanted to view them simply needed to ask for a personal showing. The Uffizi Gallery opened its doors to the public in 1765. This makes it one of the oldest museums in the world.

Built in a U shape, the Uffizi Gallery is open at one end to overlook the Arno River. The entire building is a work of art on its own accord. The ceilings are painted with impressive art work as you walk in the main corridor. You will also find many sculptures and statues to hold your interest.

There are works of art by some of the best artisans in Florence. Great painters like Michelangelo and Raphaello Santi have works displayed in the Uffizi Gallery. The museum is also home to collections from Botticelli and Tizian Flora.

You can spend three hours in the Uffizi and not see everything. The collection is massive. There are over 700 self portraits of the artists. Most of them were presented to the gallery by the artist, themselves. A few even made the trip to do so in person.

You will be able to see the wonderful Birth of Venus by Botticelli. Also in the gallery are works by Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio. There are 45 rooms on the second and third floors which comprise of the Uffizi Gallery. Each room is set to chronologically show style of painting throughout the ages. Although you may want to view every one of the beautiful pieces of artwork, there are more than just paintings. The Uffizi Gallery also has statues, tapestries, and an entire room devoted to miniatures.

If you want to gain entrance into the Uffizi Gallery, you can stand in line for a ticket. This line can move very slowly during the busy season. Typically, in July or so, the waiting can take hours. There is a way to avoid the queue. You can make reservations for a tour. There is a small fee of 3€ to place the reservation. When you show up at your appointed time, there is no wait. You just go to the second door and pay your entrance fee to begin your tour. It is well worth the added fee to know you will be able to view the exquisite masterpieces which are on display in the Uffizi Gallery.

Roberta Leoni writes articles for http://www.allflorence.com, a useful resource to find cheap apartments in Florence and 1&2 star hotels in Florence. Roberta is a tourist guide and specialises in the Uffizi Gallery history.

Photo of the Week: Open Window

6 Replies

Lime tree in window © Brendan Gogarty

Lime tree in townhouse window, Florence, Italy.

A Journey Into Michelangelo’s Rome: Interview With Angela K. Nickerson

4 Replies

Based in Sacramento, California, teacher and art lover Angela K. Nickerson can now add author to her CV. Her book A Journey Into Michelangelo’s Rome hit the book stores in April and will without doubt inspire readers to visit the Italian capital.

angela A Journey Into Michelangelos Rome: Interview With Angela K. Nickerson

Published by Roaring Forties Press in April 2008, A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome follows Michelangelo from his arrival in Rome in 1496 to his death in the city almost seventy years later. Each chapter focuses on a particular work and gives a fascinating study of Roman culture, art, and politics. The book includes 14 black-and-white photographs, nearly 90 colour shots and eight street maps allowing readers to discover Rome as Michelangelo knew it.

Erica Johansson: What do you think about the response to A Journey Into Michelangelo’s Rome so far?

Angela K. Nickerson: It has been lovely! The book has been featured in several publications including the Sacramento Bee, the Houston Chronicle, and ForeWord Magazine. And so far the response has been overwhelmingly positive and supportive. Additionally, travel blogs have picked it up as well. I had great fun on Nerd’s Eye View where I ran a Micro Travel Writing Workshop. And blogs all over the world – like Travel Blissful - have picked up on the book. That’s a very exciting phenomenon and one that was a bit unexpected.

What was your thought when entering the Sistine Chapel for the first time?

Deep and utter humility. Goethe wrote, “Until you have seen the Sistine Chapel you have no adequate conception of what man is capable of accomplishing.” He was right. The colors are amazing. The figures absolutely took my breath away. And they are so huge. I don’t think I was prepared for that. I wept. Openly wept.

There’s a tiny piece of me that wishes I’d seen it before the restoration so that I could truly appreciate the brilliance of the colors now. And my fantasy: to have 30 minutes alone in the chapel so that I could lie on the floor and just look up. Some day!

When did you decide to write A Journey Into Michelangelo’s Rome? And did you write the book from Rome or from the US?

Well, I came to this project by luck, chance, divine intervention, and happenstance. I used to teach literature, and I developed a course called “The Bible as Literature.” To hook my students I used Michelangelo’s work as illustrations for the Biblical stories we studied. Roaring Forties Press put out a call for proposals, and I knew that this was meant to be. A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome is truly a fusion of my great passions: writing, travel, and art.

I worked on the book primarily in the US, but I made several research trips. I’d been to Rome many times, and it is one of my favorite places in the world. So going back to take photographs and to do interviews… well, that was part of the pleasure in writing the book.

sight A Journey Into Michelangelos Rome: Interview With Angela K. Nickerson

For someone who has never been to the Sistine Chapel, when would you say is the best time to visit? What season, time of the day etc.?

Personally, I avoid Italy in the summer unless my goal is to just lie on the beach. That’s not to say that it isn’t lovely year round. It is! But, the rest of the world descends on Italy in the summer – particularly on Rome. I don’t like crowds or lines or paying high prices. And if I don’t have to travel during high season, I don’t.

The best time to travel: late October, November, January, and February. There aren’t any lines. The weather is cool, but comfortable. The tourists have all gone home, and you can walk through a museum at leisure.

Now, going to see the Sistine Chapel… to see the Chapel, you must go to the Vatican Museums. In July the line to enter the Museums can be up to a mile long. It is quite incredible. If you do go in the summer, get up early and be in line before 7 am. Bring some snacks and a book to read (might I suggest A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome) while you wait. Truly, I have met some great people in line for the museum, too. Be friendly! People are generally convivial, and there’s a “we’re all in this together” spirit.

If you are not traveling during high season, it isn’t as important to get in line that early. And at some times of the year you can walk in to the museums without much of a wait at all.

Here’s what you should know: the Museums have two doors – one for groups and one for individuals. The ticket brokers who promise that you won’t have to wait in line for the Museums aren’t entirely truthful. Some send other people to stand in line for you – or to cut the line, which really makes people behind you angry. Others are selling tickets to join a larger group for a tour. The groups generally skip most of the museum and make their way straight to the Sistine Chapel. And, buyer beware: there are a few who take your money and run.

For my money I suggest standing in line for a while and entering as an individual. Go in November with a good friend, and take a book along to read while you wait. Trust me: it is worth it!

I recently heard about your upcoming trip to Italy. Would you like to tell us a bit more about it? Is the trip for anyone?

Yes! It is a trip for anyone. I have been taking these trips for a few years now, and my groups have included veteran travelers, people who have never been to Europe, older travelers, younger travelers… people of all kinds. I take a maximum of ten people at one time, so I can tailor the trip to the group’s pace and needs.

We start in Florence, Michelangelo’s hometown. Our hotel is one block from the Duomo. We go to see the big attractions in Florence – the David, the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo – as well as the lesser-known works including Michelangelo’s Florentine Pieta. We spend five nights in Florence exploring the charming city. Then we take the train to Rome where we spend seven nights in a converted monastery. We visit St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, Michelangleo’s Moses… and so much more.

ma A Journey Into Michelangelos Rome: Interview With Angela K. Nickerson

We walk both cities – no buses on these trips except for city buses. I have created an itinerary that is flexible, but it is built around Michelangelo’s life. In essence we DO A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome. And we have a great time!

Gregory Favre wrote a lovely travelogue after traveling with me in January. You can read his article from the Sacramento Bee on my website (www.aknickerson.net), and you can also get more information about the trip. The next one leaves in late October. I am also available as a travel escort for families or small groups.

My goal whether writing or traveling with a group is to create a framework for travelers. So often I see tourists wandering through Rome looking totally overwhelmed clinging to a huge guidebook and clearly not sure what to make of the city. I understand that. Rome’s history is so rich, and there is something of significance around every corner. A Journey into Michelangelo’s Rome filters all of that information. It provides a theme for a trip through Rome and illustrates the connections between the ages.

For more information about Angela K. Nickerson, visit http://aknickerson.blogspot.com or drop by her website at http://www.aknickerson.net. Angela regularly leads tours to Rome and other European cities.