Tuscany
Florence
Santa Maria del Fiore - The Florence Cathedral also known as The Duomo
Tuscany is so full of history and beauty - you meet wonders of art and architecture on almost every corner. But I love the region's homier aspects: the special sweetness of the tomatoes, the soft mozzarella, the heady scents of basil and garlic everywhere. -Trudie Styler
Stand in front of Michelangelo’s David. The perfection of his execution will stun you.
"If Italy were Mona Lisa then Florence would be her smile." -unkown
Just a ten minute walk from David, and you can find yourself gazing at Michelangelo’s Dusk, in the Medici Chapel.
Michelangelo’s Prisoners - Look carefully at the chisel marks on these unfinished marvels. It’ll give you insight into the master’s thought process while sculpting.
Meditate on the quiet frescoes by Fra Angelico in nearby San Marco Monastery.
The Annunciation, Fra Angelico, San Marco
Coronation of the Virgin, Fra Angelico, San Marco
Expulsion from the Garden of Eden, Masaccio, Brancacci Chapel
Verrocchio, The Baptism of Christ, Leftmost angel painted by Leonardo da Vinci
Cimabue, Madonna Enthroned
Doni Tondo, Michelangelo, Uffizi Gallery
Birth of Venus, Sandro Botticelli, Uffizi Gallery
The Holy Trinity, Masaccio, Santa Maria Novella
"Sure, Florence is touristy. But where else can you stroll the same pedestrian streets walked by Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Botticelli while savoring the world's best gelato?" - unknown
Siena, the other great Renaissance Tuscan city.
Piazza del Campo
The Cathedral of Siena
Capitoline Wolf at Siena Duomo
Santa Maria della Scala
Roman sarcaphogus, Santa Maria della Scala
Duccio di Buoninsegna, Announcement of the Death to the Virgin, Museo dell’ Opera Metropolitano del Duomo
Lucca and San Gimignano
Lucca - San Michele in Foro
Statue of Puccini outside of his home.
Duomo San Martino, Lucca
San Gimignano
Torre Grossa, San Gimignano
San Gimignano