| Page Views: 16,313 Last Visit to Italy: October, 2003 | The Many Faces of Italy by deecat - last update: Nov 21, 2006 |
On desperate seas long wont to roam,
Thy hyacinth hair, thy classic face,
Thy naiad airs have brought me home
To the glory that was Greece
And the grandeur that was Rome.
Edgar Allan Poe from Helen
My husband and I have visited Italy 3 times, and it's not enough!
Our visits have included the Etruscan Coast, Monte Argentario Region, Umbria, Tuscany, Sicily, Amalfi Coast, Rome, Florence, Naples, Venice, Lake Como area, the Cinque Terre, & the Le Marche Region..
March, April, May, September or October are excellent months to travel these areas because of the pleasant weather, beautiful landscapes, & lack of crowds.
Our first trip was in 1997 when we spent 68 days in a rental apartment in the ancient portion of Gaeta (between Rome and Naples).
The second time, in 2001, we used numerous small hotels and bed & breakfasts. We stayed for 28 days this second visit. Then, in October of 2003, we visited Venice, Asolo, Mantova, Montagnana, and Ferrera This third time, we were in Italy for two weeks. Our newest trip in October of 2006 was to Le Marche and a return trip to Gaeta.
A total of 120 days sounds like a great deal of time, but there's never enough time in Italy!
I swear ...in my other life, I must have lived in Italy because when we visit, I feel that I am home. |
| Bobolino Gardens, Florence |
FABULOUS FLORENCE Even on a rainy day with thunder rumbling, Florence is a city of magic.
One evening Allan and I were walking after dinner, and we heard the most beautiful music. Ironically, it was just one man with an electric violin, but the sound was enrapturing because of the setting.
There's a marvelous leather market in Florence and an interesting leather school as well.
The Boboli Gardens behind the Pitti Palace contain huge hedges, some flowers, lots of staues, a few fountains, and many cats. It's a welcome rest from the bustle of the city.
Florence is a small city; one can easily walk to all the points of interest. The unique Duomo, the inspiring Church of Santa Croche,and the terrific Gelato Shops (Bar Vivioli is the best) make up just a few of the many places worth visiting.
The beautiful bridges seem to float across the Arno River, and walking Via dell' Angiullara (one of the oldest streets in Florence where Michelangelo had his first workshop ) is quite an experience.
One of the great things about Florence is that you can do a great deal in a short amount of time. The meandering Fiumo (River) Arno, the gigantic and impressive Uffizi Gallery, the Ponte Vecchio (bridge), the Pitti Palace, the brass relief doors on the Baptistry, the Duomo (perhaps one of the most elegant and massive churches in Italy), and, finally. the Academy of Fine Arts with Michaelangelo's "David" all add to the allure of Florence.
Yes, She is a glorious, art-filled city that is characterized by the likes of Botticelli, Donatello, Leonardo, and Michaelangelo...all of it....the florentine mosaics, the sculptures, the medieval frescoes, and the awesome oil paintings will inspire, fascinate, and entice you to return.
Before you leave,don't miss the Piazza Michaelangelo, the hilltop which overlooks the Arno River and the city of Florence.
But, most of all, don't miss talking with the people, eating with the locals, and walking to those "off the beaten bath places that are so abundant in this lovely city. |
| From Both Sides Now: David |
DAVID, THE DEVINE "David" deserves space all to himself. Until you actually see this statue, you just cannot imagine how magnificent it really is. This sculpture is so much larger than I thought it would be.
"David" is hidden away in the Academy of Fine Arts, which is perhaps the most difficult place to find, but well worth the effort.
Click to get the full benefit of this masterpiece. |
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| Pros: | "Warm, welcoming people and excellent food" | | Cons: | "Traffic in large cities and wild drivers" | | In A Nutshell: | "Art, architecture, music, literature, food, wine, romance" |
deecat's Italy Travel Tips
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 Comments for deecat about Italy | | | | |
icunme Sun Sep 20, 2009 14:27 UTC
Hi there Dee - Came back to add notes to my trip planner - love these pages! Ciao, Carol | iandsmith Fri Sep 18, 2009 22:23 UTC
Just organizing a trip back next month and checking out the best place for tips. Hope this finds you and yours well. Cheers, Ian | hopang Tue Aug 11, 2009 14:10 UTC
Excellent overview of Italy with superb travel tips on hotels and accommodations. Italy is our no: 1 tourist destination in Europe! We hope to visit Venice and Pompeii in the near future. ~ho & pang | BruceDunning Thu Jun 25, 2009 21:14 UTC
I really think you all enjoy Italy as much as we do-The history, beauty and culture keep drawing us back, but like you say so much more to see. |
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