Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, Italy

On July 23, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Italy4 Comments

There is more to the Accademia Gallery in Florence than just Michelangelo’s David. Florence was the center of the art world for hundreds of years and still contains incredible paintings and statues to be admired. In addition to the statue of David, there are many other statues by Michelangelo as well as other famous artists. Beautiful and sometimes haunting paintings can be found by Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and many more. Much of the artwork was commissioned by the Medici family and then later donated by one of the last members of the Medici family so that they could be displayed for the pleasure of everyone to view.

With seven different halls to wander and enjoy the incredible artwork, you should give yourself at least four hours when visiting the museum. You don’t have to be an art critic to appreciate the wonderful pieces that can be found in the various halls within the gallery. Clearly, most of the artwork is religious in theme, but there are plenty of others that are historical or mythological in nature. Obviously, the statue of David is the main draw and you will likely find lots of crowds surrounding the famous statue. In addition to the Accademia Gallery, the Uffizi Gallery should also be visited to see some of the most famous Renaissance’s masterpieces.

Florence is such a beautiful city with so much history and art that can be found around almost every corner. The Accademia Gallery is certainly a museum that should not be missed when visiting the Tuscan city. With so many wonderful sights to see, Florence cannot be seen in just a couple of days, but really takes a full week to enjoy everything that it has to offer.

The Duomo in Florence, Italy

On July 6, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Italy25 Comments

Suggesting that you should see the Duomo when visiting Florence is like suggesting that you should breathe, it is almost unavoidable. Not only does it dominate the skyline, but almost all of the roads will lead you there as well. With that said, it is truly one of the most stunning cathedrals in all of Europe. Officially called the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore or Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower, the Duomo has the largest brick dome in the world. The façade of the cathedral is as equally beautiful with its intricate details and uniquely white coloring compared to most other cathedrals.

Construction began on the church in 1296 and it would take about 140 years to complete. The complex is made up of three buildings, the cathedral itself, the Baptistery, and Giotto’s Campanile, which is the bell tower. The Piazza del Duomo is definitely a crowded location as tourists flock to the area to see the Duomo of Firenze. You could spend hours looking at the details of the façade, which is made up of marble panels of pink and green with white borders. The artwork above the doors of the cathedral is as beautiful as the artwork that can be found in the city’s museums. You can also get tickets to enter the Baptistery, but even if you don’t enter, the ornate doors cannot be missed.

To truly get an understanding of how impressive the size of the Duomo is, visit the Piazzale de Michelangelo which overlooks the city. Although there are other towers and churches in Florence, nothing compares to the magnificence of the Duomo. Between the dome and the bell tower, the cathedral truly dominates the historic city. There are many reasons to visit Florence, but seeing the Duomo is high on the list of things to see not only in Florence, but also in all of Italy if not Europe.

Looking Up at the Cathedral and Bell Tower

Walking the Side Streets of Florence, Italy

On April 23, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Italy16 Comments

There are many cities in Europe that are very walkable and one of the most walkable is Florence. With its cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, and plazas with cafes and restaurants, you can literally spend all day just wandering around the heart of the city. Don’t limit yourself to the main streets, though, as some of the most interesting shops and restaurants can be found by wandering the side streets. With the Duomo visible from almost every corner of the city, even if you get yourself a little lost, you can always head for the dome in order to get yourself back to bustling tourist areas.

We found it completely safe to wander the side streets and never worried about the people that were around us, but we also limited our wandering to the daylight hours. Walking the narrow streets will take you on a trip back in time as you get a feel for what it must have been like to live in the city hundreds of years ago when artists and philosophers wandered the same passageways. One of the best ways to get a true sense of the beauty of the city is to walk along the Arno River with views of Ponte Vecchio. Obviously, these streets will be a little busier, but the crowds reduce as you get farther away from the main bridges.

Crowed Street with Wonderful Architecture

As popular as Florence is as a destination, you will often find yourself surrounded by throngs of people clambering to see the same sights as you. Sitting in one of the outdoor cafes and watching the crowds go by while having a wonderful glass of Tuscan wine can be a great way to relax and recharge in the beautiful surroundings. If you have the energy, walking up the hill to the Piazzale Michelangelo will provide you breathtaking views of the city. As you come back down the hill, you will find some wonderful restaurants and shops if you decide to spend some time on that side of the river before crossing back over to the heart of old town. The streets on that side of the river will also be a little less busy as well, but the quality of the locations will not disappoint.

There is something truly romantic about wandering the side streets of such a beautiful city as Florence. Regardless of the city that you are visiting, there can be many treasures to be found if you are willing to just turn off of the main streets. Obviously you need to be careful in some places as pickpockets can also be found once you are away from the crowds and are more vulnerable, so always be aware of your surroundings. Stop, go into the shops, talk to the locals, and perhaps enjoy some gelato, you will find those moments as special as seeing the Duomo or going to the museums.