Italy's Tuscany is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world but what does the capital Florence have to offer?

Getting To Florence:
The Tuscany region is situated on the north west coast of Italy and Florence itself is located on the eastern edge. The growth in tourism has made it easier than ever before to get in and around the city.
If you are planning to see a major event this year such as the Lions tour 2013 many sports fans like to enjoy a complete contrast with some art and culture and Florence can be an ideal stopping point before you reach the rugby tour in Australia.

Florence is served by the Amerigo Vespucci International Airport and this provides many direct flights to major cities in Europe and beyond. If you cannot get a direct connection, there are regular flights into main terminals in Rome. Road and rail links around Florence are also good.

History And The Renaissance:
For over two centuries, Florence was the most important city in Europe from an economic and a cultural point of view. Tuscany's capital was responsible for important break-throughs in the financial sector, whilst it is widely acknowledged that opera was invented and first shown here.

Many famous painters were based in Florence and the city inspired great works by the likes of Botticelli and Donatello. The location is steeped in history and thankfully, Florence has changed very little over the years. Many museums, art galleries and opera houses still showcase the work of the Renaissance men and there is so much to see here.

The Best Tourist Sites:
There is a huge choice of art galleries and museums here but arguably the best location is the Galleria degli Uffizi which arguably has the most renowned collection of art in the entire world. This really is the 'must see' location in a city full of fascinating landmarks. Many important works are kept here but be aware that the Gallery is so popular that you may have to wait some hours in line in order to gain entry.

If sculpture is your passion, you will find a larger collection of works at the Bargello which contains many pieces from the Renaissance and Mannerist movements, but the most famous work of art can be found in the Accademia Gallery where Michelangelo's David takes pride of place.

There is some incredible architecture right across Florence too and some of the highlights include Pitti Palace, Giotto's Tower and Santa Maria del Fiore which is the city's beautiful cathedral. If you want the best panoramic view of Florence, be sure to take the climb up the Duomo which is a steep ascent but the incredible vista makes it truly worthwhile.

Florence may no longer be the most important city in Europe but it remains one of the most beautiful. It has remained largely unchanged since the start of the Renaissance in the 1300s and thankfully for the visitor, a huge collection of stunning works of art have been retained.

If you are looking for an Hotel accommodation in Florence city center we can suggest Hotel Victoria, a nice 3 stars hotel  located in the heart of Florence, in the San Lorenzo quarter, just 200 meters from the Santa Maria Novella train station, in a charming, comfortable and elegant setting.


AUTHOR BIO:
Della is a travel journalist who combines her passion of sailing with her writing. Having run a successful sailing school for over twenty years, Della likes to take to the seas and visit Europe's best destinations.

The 10th edition of the Florence Korea FIlm Fest, is the international film show devoted to South Korean film which will take place at the Odeon cinema in Florence from March 23-31.
During the festival 32 films will be shown (most of them Italian or European premiere), at the end of each film a panel discussion is often organized with directors and actors and and an exclusive concert will close the Festival at the Hard rock Cafè in Florence!

The most important european premiere organized for this year is the screening of “Always” by director Song Il-gon.
This film opened the sixteenth edition of the Busan International Film Festival, the most important festival in Asia and tells the story of ex-boxer Chul-min who goes back into the ring after many years thanks to an encounter with the mysterious Jung-hwa.

The closing of the 10th edition, which will be on March 31st, will host the first Italian screening of the documentary Arirang by Kim Ki-duk, the master of the rebirth of Korean cinema, to whom the sixth edition of the Festival was dedicated.

The festival will also include an evening devoted to horror with the projection of “The Cat of Byeon” by Seung-wook and two different sections: Korean Horizons, which focuses on contemporary cinema, and Independent Korea, which shows independent and underground films rarely visible even in Korea.

Saturday March 31st from 11.30 pm at the Hard Rock Cafe in Piazza della Repubblica there will be a crazy final party with a korean Dj set by Oh Yoo-suk.

At the Auditorium al Duomo in Via Cerretani 54r you’ll be able to visit the photographic exhibit called “Story of a Day” created by the director Song Il-gon. The opening will be on Friday 23rd March at 6 pm. The exhibit will be opened during the whola lasting of the Festival.

If you are staying in Florence during the Film Festival we suggest an elegant hotel in the area of the Odeon Cinema in Florence. We suggest an elegant 4 star hotel: the Hotel Kraft in  Florence. Visit official website: www.krafthotel.it


Day ticket:
Day ticket for 4 Films € 14,00
Day ticket for 4 Films € + Horror Night € 16,00


Film Ticket:
Full ticket 1° Show € 4,50
Full ticket 2° Show € 6,00
Full ticket 1° Show € 6,00 Reduced ticket 1° Show € 5,00
Full ticket2° Show € 10,00 Reduced ticket 2° Show € 8,00


Night K-Horror (24:00):
Ticket: € 4,50


source: www.turismo.intoscana.it

Author:
Vincenzo

Everyone knows that visiting a new city, a new place is a unforgettable experience but sometimes it could be very trying, especially when you have a short time available and you want to see as much as you can. Is the same if you are going in Florence and Tuscany.


Fortunately there is a perfect solution: choose a bike! Using a bike has a lot of bright sides: first of all you cover more and more ground than you can do on foot, so you see more things and you can enjoy the city better. Second, the bikes are fun and you don't feel so tired at the end of the day.

Moving around Florence on a bike can be an adventure! There are many Florentines who use bikes as their sole means of transportation, so you would not be alone.
Can you imagine walking for many hours in the heat, waiting in line to enter churches or museums? It could be so distressing! Then, think about the pictures you can take during the bike tour! Once you're back home, you can proudly show to your friends the particular funny photos of your tour!

If you will be in the historical center of Florence, getting around by bicycle is very practical as many areas are closed off to motor traffic.
Overall the bicycle is an Eco-friendly mean of transportation and you can reach all the places that are restricted to cars or scooters, as historical centers of many art cities. Are these reasons enough? now, you can choose one of our bike tours, run by Italy Cruiser Bike Tours! Hope to see you soon on our Bike tours in Rome and Florence!

Southern Tuscany has a lot to offer to any tourist, and it’s important to consider which holiday activities you’d like to indulge in before booking your trip. A little advanced planning can go a long way!

Tuscany offers an excellent array of holiday activities available for people of all ages and all interests. Whether you like to spend your time relaxing by the beach or whether you’d prefer to be doing something a little more strenuous such as cycling across the incredible and inspirational mountainous terrain you can be confident that Tuscany can and will provide something special for your vacation.

Cycling in Tuscany

Tuscany is the perfect location for cyclists of all levels. The challenging and awe inspiring terrain is more than enough to keep even the pro cyclist happy, but the Tuscan landscape can also accommodate the amateur cyclist too. Italy is well known for it’s love of cycling, with the Giro d’Italia classed as one of the major events in the cycling calendar you can be sure that Italians love anyone riding around on two wheels.
The cycling community in Tuscany is especially warm and welcoming. Whether you’re riding over the mountains or riding into the towns and villages you can always stop for a break, enjoying the fruits of the local cafes and have the chance to fill up your sports bottle at a public fountain.

Water Sports in Tuscany

If you like the idea of a sport based holiday but cycling isn’t really your thing- then don’t worry! You can always try the water sports instead!
Kayaking at Elba Island is a must do activity for any tourist visiting Tuscany. The island is easy to reach from Southern Tuscany and many tourists thoroughly enjoy the experience. The surrounding area is simply stunning making this an ideal location to try your hand at this particular water sport.
If kayaking sounds a little bit too risky for you then why not have a go at a more relaxing sport such as scuba diving?
There are lots of professional scuba diving schools surrounding the beaches that cater for both novice and experienced divers. Scuba diving is an awesome experience and the sea life residing in the oceans around Southern Tuscany will not disappoint you!

Soaking up the Sunshine and Relaxing in Style

For many tourists the perfect Italian holiday involves spending lots and lots of hours lying on a beautiful beach soaking up the sunshine. There are plenty of beaches for you to choose from in Southern Tuscany, although some cater for families more effectively than others.
Be sure to research which beaches are best, especially if you have little ones to consider.
If you want a little you time during your trip in Southern Tuscany then pop Sorano on your ‘places to visit’ list. This little Italian town is well known for its natural springs that float around a comfortable 37.5 degrees Celsius, making them ideal for a comforting quiet dip. Of course, the town makes good use of its reputation as a Wellness centre and a lot of locals have set up highly successful spas in the town. The most Famous Wellness centre is Terme di Sorano Residence.
For the ultimate touch in relaxation Sorano also offers two stunning outdoor waterfalls that simply must be seen to be appreciated. The waterfalls are open to members of the public all year round.
A day or two spent in Sorano will certainly not be wasted days, and you’ll feel thoroughly relaxed and refreshed in this well known Tuscan town.

Get a Taste for Tuscany Food and Culture

Many people enjoy spending their holiday in Southern Tuscany roaming around from restaurant to restaurant and consuming lots of the local cuisine.
This is also a great way to see lots of tourist attractions and to soak up the Tuscany culture. There are a number of museums located throughout Tuscany, as well as other historical sites that you will find both beautiful and fascinating.
Whether you’re looking for sport, relaxation, cuisine, history or culture you can be sure to find everything you need to enjoy the perfect holiday in Southern Tuscany. Don’t spend all of your days beside the pool; be sure to explore everything that Southern Tuscany has to offer to tourists!
Author Bio: Peter Smith has written many articles for many sites. His site offers products related to cycle and cycling. He recently introduced spearfishing gear to his site for selling.

The park “Parco delle Cascine” is the largest of Florence parks, and it stretches along the banks of the river Arno from the historical centre to the junction of the river with the Mugnone stream.



The construction of Parco delle Cascine started in 1563, and initially it was a farm within the land of Alessandro and Cosimo de’ Medici, Florence ruling family. Hence the name “Cascine” from the term “cascio” which is the place where cows are milked to make butter and cheese.

The thick groove of more than 35 hectares contains various species: acacia, ailanthus, ivy, elder, pines and nettle trees. In the East part there are many limetrees and ilex trees.

Inside the “Scuola di Guerra Aerea” (Air War School) we can find a very interesting arboretum , while in the grounds of the Agiculture and Farming School a number of fruit trees and other plants are grown.

At the center of the park we can see the architecture of the Piazzale delle Cascine, a square dominated by the mansion of the grand duke on the North side and by lofty pine trees and plane trees along the border.

The square called Piazza Vittorio Veneto hosts the bronze statue of King Vittorio Emanuele II, riding his horse, which marks the historical entrance to the park.

The trees along the Viale degli Olmi offer a dramatic view, with the elm tree branches forming an overhead arch.

If you need a Hotel near the Parco delle Cascine, we recommend the Hotel Select Executive in Florence, an elegant 4-star hotel fully equipped and very comfortable, for an unforgettable stay in the city of Florence.


Author:
Vincenzo