The Medici: Benefactors of Your Sightseeing in Florence (A Quick Introduction)

The Medici coat of arms is usually made up of 6 balls.

You can thank the Medici for the delightful works of art and architecture that have made Florence a significant tourist destination since the 17th century. If you are visiting Florence, Italy, it pays to know “just enough” about the Medici to appreciate their impact on 21st century tourism.

Continue reading “The Medici: Benefactors of Your Sightseeing in Florence (A Quick Introduction)”

Hercules and the Centaur at the Piazza della Signoria

Giambologna's Hercules and the Centaur @ the Loggia dei Lanzi. Piazza della Signoria - Florence, Italy.

Don’t let Giambologna’s beautiful sculpture Hercules and the Centaur fool you. Hercules ultimately lost this fight. The centaur Nessus outwitted the hero and demigod, long after Hercules killed him. Myths and history converge at the Piazza della Signoria. This is the first of a series of ancient stories, as we travel virtually to Firenze, Italy.

Continue reading “Hercules and the Centaur at the Piazza della Signoria”

Alternative Dining at the Central Market or “Mercato Centrale”

Food shopping at a store or mercato in Padova, Italy

Restaurants aren’t the only places you can satisfy your gustatory longing for Italian cuisine. Town markets are a prime location for great food finds. Rome, Florence, and Turin have the Central Market or Mercato Centrale where you can find lots of gastronomic surprises akin to discovering a town’s street food. 

Continue reading “Alternative Dining at the Central Market or “Mercato Centrale””