One of my favorite churches that I have visited in Italy is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore is in Florence, Italy and you can’t miss it. This church stands proudly over nearby buildings and has towers, baptistery, and other amazing buildings included with the cathedral. It is amazing on the outside and on the inside. There is even a museum next door that includes information of the creation and preservation of the cathedral. However, that is not the only reason to visit this church.
Tag: Travel Tips
My Go-To Travel Necessities: Carry-on Edition
As I get to ready for traveling this fall, there is one list I use as my the first things that go into my carry-on bag. My carry-on bag is the first thing I always pack because if anything happens to my suitcase that I store under the plane I will have to live out of my carry-on until I can either purchase new items or my suitcase arrives. So here is my list of travel necessities in my carry-on bag:
Last Supper, the Last Stop
Leonardo Di Vinci is probably one of the most famous artist that emerged out of the Italian Renaissance. He was fascinated by a variety of academic subjects outside of his artistic pursuit. He traveled all over Italy completing work for some of the most powerful families at the time. People can recognize his unique style on sight. Some can name and describe several of his most famous masterpieces. I personally love his unique style towards painting and pursuing several subjects of study. So when I landed in the city of Milan this summer, I was determined to see one of his most famous pieces of work. This master piece was the Last Supper in the Convent of Santa Maria.
Borgo San Jacopo: Michelin Star = Michelin Yum
When a restaurant is awarded a Michelin Star, it is considered one of the greatest achievements it can receive. Florence is home to a plethora of Michelin Star restaurants. In a city full of high quality restaurants, why wouldn’t you go try one out? So after searching for an opening, we were able to dine at Borgo San Jacopo.
Golden View Open Bar: Go for the View, Stay for the Food & Wine
Above the soft lulls of the river in Florence, there is a restaurant near Pointe Vecchio that has the most beautiful views of the river front. They have aptly named this restaurant and bar, Golden View Open Bar. If you have a dining table by the massive windows then you will be stunned by the setting sun and twinkling lights of the city. You can watch the steady stream of tourist and locals meander over the bridges that connect each river side to each other. The whole atmosphere is of peace and tranquility. I see why this was a strong recommendation from Giada De Laurentis. Now onto the food!
Gran Caffe San Marco: An Italian Sweet Treat
Florence is the city of delicious foods. In food blogs, we hear about the pizzas, pastas, and gelato of Florence. However, there is more to the food of Florence than just those three things. Today I am going to look at the more sweet side of the items one should try while in Florence. So after doing some online research from accredited reviewers and trip advisory sites, I went to one of the top cafés in Florence for a sweet treat. Gran Caffe San Marco has many dinning options from to-go sandwiches to culinary pizzas. But this time I focused on the giant sweets display case that runs on both sides of the café.
Uffizi Gallery: Italian Art Paradise
Art is created and displayed all over the world. It is studied in school and celebrated by many. However, it seems like some of the world’s greatest masters come from the Italian Renaissance era. Masters like Leonardo Da Vinci and Micheal Angelo. People study these works, and almost every person on Earth can recognize the styles that were created on sight. Seeing these pieces in person are on people’s bucket list. So when one is in Italy, how can one see many master pieces that rose from this great Italian period? Well, I may have found paradise. A paradise that contains pieces from the Medici Archives, artwork from the greatest religious churches, and pieces created by the greatest artist of their era. Where is this paradise? Let me introduce you to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy.
Murano: Island of Glass
Venice has the reputation of being a tourist run city especially in the summer. It seems like every year there is a new news report stating the ongoing battle between Venice and the tourism industry. So when I descended into the city of Venice, I was not surprised to see the throngs of tourist. But where were the locals? It seemed like each cobbled street led to more signs of the tourist industry in Venice. It was starting to feel like the Venetian hotel in Vegas, but a hop, skip, and boat ride away I found my piece of local paradise.
Doge’s Palace: Venetian To The Core
Venice is a city full of opulence, history, and beauty. The one of the most beautiful sites being St. Mark’s Square. Turning about in a circle, you are struck on all sides by Venetian architecture. The clash of Italian and Arabic influence are twined together to create these beautiful pieces of history. However, the most unique feature of the square is the Doge’s Palace. All over Italy you can see cathedrals, and museums but there is only one Doge’s Palace. If you aren’t familiar with this place, don’t worry. I will not only tell you why you should know about this place and why you should visit if you ever find yourself in Venice, but why is the Doge’s Palace important to the culture of Venice and Italy.
Alcatraz: Evolution of Justice
Alcatraz Prison sits on an island outside the city of San Francisco, California. It stares back at you from across the bay like a totem of silence. It became a symbol of justice in America for many years. Convicts served out their sentences here. Native Americans tried to revision the island into a sanctuary for themselves. In the end, those who made this island their home over the years all came looking for one thing and that is justice in some shape and form.
Culture Adventurer 