Posts Tagged: leather journals

Florence, Italy is a gorgeous place in Europe with The Renaissance period art, delightful Italian cafes and the great local markets to shop for leather goods like handmade bags, leather journals and coats in. Although the dollar is not very strong in Europe currently, the travel deals and bargains for flying there and staying there will more than compensate for the weak dollar. If you have never been to Italy, be certain Florence is one of the stops you make as many tourists only think of going to Rome and Venice. If you are flexible and can travel any season, the Fall is the best time as the weather is not too hot and the crowds are all gone from the busy summer tourist season.

Even if you do not appreciate art, the various places to see some famous works of art and architecture are highly recommended. Two of the must see museums of art to see in Florence are the Uffizi gallery and the Accademia gallery. The Uffizi has a lot of the most famous Renaissance period art in the world with many pieces by Leonardo Da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo. The Accademia gallery houses the most famous sculpture worldwide and that is Michelangelo’s statue of David. The lines to see David are lengthy so be certain to head there right when it opens. There are aditional art museums but if you only have a couple of days, make sure to go to both of these two museums.

There are other great sights to see to appreciate the beautiful art and architecture that Florence is known for is the Duomo and the Pitti palace. The Duomo is a famous cathedral in Florence that is the most recognized building there. Be certain to head inside to see the whole structure. The Pitti palace has a great collection of art in various mediums from paintings, period costumes and sculptures and is a magnificent structure. Directly behind the palace are the Boboli gardens that are the perfect place to rest and have a snack.

Besides, the famous art in Florence, the food and wine here are a few of the most delicious things you will ever put in your mouth. You may want to get some of the recommendations from guide books for the best restaurants but some of the best places are the more casual trattorias that you may just walk by serving up scrumptious pastas and pizzas. Also, make sure to go to at least one gelateria which will serve you a refreshing and delicious Italian gelato, similar to ice cream, but better.

Before you leave Florence, take the time to visit the big market in the city’s main area. The local shops have the specialties that this area is known for like Italian leather products. The quality of the leather here is so much better than in the US and shoes and coats are huge sellers in addition to the regional chianti wine.