Florence, Italy

On March 2, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Italy24 Comments

There are only a few cities in the world that leave an impression on your soul that will remain with you forever. Florence is definitely one of those cities. There is something uniquely special about the way you feel when walking the streets of this historic city with all of its art and medieval architecture. It isn’t just that it retains its old world charm, there is something very romantic about Florence that is hard to explain. It is a place where time seems to stand still and you feel as if you can just truly relax and absorb the culture and history while sharing some pasta and wine.

View of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo

It is clear why so many of the great artists spent time in Florence, the city as well as the countryside of Tuscany are incredibly beautiful. One of the places that you must visit while in Florence is the Piazzale Michelangelo. The views from this hillside plaza are simply amazing as you gaze over the city. The Duomo dominates the skyline as it towers above the buildings that line the narrow streets of the city. As you turn away from the city, you can see the ancient wall that surrounded the city and the lush green hillsides of the Tuscan countryside. Of course, the replica of the statue of David is worth seeing, but the original marble statue in the Accademia Gallery is definitely even more stunning.

Replica of David in the Piazzale Michelangelo

Certainly, Ponte Vecchio is something that you must visit during your time in Florence. As you cross this historic bridge, you have the opportunity to buy jewelry and other souvenirs in stores that have been there throughout its history. In the past, these store fronts were obviously not for tourists as they are today and were used by butchers and other more common merchants. Amazingly, the bridge survived World War II and not destroyed like all of the other bridges in Florence. If you do decide to visit the narrow pedestrian bridge, be prepared for heavy traffic as it is definitely a tourist hot spot. We would recommend having dinner at one of the restaurants that overlook the Arno River next to the bridge as the views at night are well worth the hefty price tag.

As you walk the streets of Florence, you will undoubtedly eventually end up at the Duomo or Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower). Having seen many different cathedrals all across Europe, this is definitely one of the most unique and most stunning cathedrals to gaze upon. The architecture, artwork, and white façade have so many details that you could spend hours just enjoying the views from various angles. There are plenty of restaurant options available around the Duomo, so it is a perfect place to enjoy a pizza at one of the many pizzerias on the surrounding streets.

Although you could spend a couple of days in Florence and probably see all of the major sights, if you really want to enjoy everything that the city has to offer, you should probably consider a minimum of four days or possibly a full week. Florence is truly a magical city with beauty around every corner and will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

Piazzale Michelangelo

On May 22, 2017May 22, 2017 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Italy15 Comments

When visiting Florence, Italy, taking the time to walk up to Piazzale Michelangelo is an absolute must. There is obviously the bronze replica of Michelangelo’s statue of David, but the real reason is the see the breathtaking views of the city. From the square, there are panoramic views of everything from the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, to the hillsides outside of Florence.

We were there during the off-season, so the crowds were light, but we can only imagine how crowded the square must be during the summer. There are plenty of vendors selling food and souvenirs as well as a full service restaurant where you can sit down and enjoy a nice glass of wine. Florence is one of the most beautiful, old-world cities and seeing it from the piazza really allows you to fully appreciate how stunning it truly is.

It is not an easy walk to reach the Piazzale Michelangelo, but it is more than worth the effort. Seeing Florence from the heights above the city was definitely a highlight of our visit. Of course we enjoyed walking the narrow streets, looking up at the Duomo, and seeing the amazing architecture up close, but seeing the whole city at once was even more spectacular. Everyone visiting Florence should definitely put this on their itinerary.

The Food of Tuscany

On March 15, 2017 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Italy, Recipes8 Comments

To say that the food of Tuscany, at least Florence and Lucca where we ate, is delicious is an understatement. What makes it so good? Fresh ingredients, fresh pasta, and a true love for food. You can expect to find authentic, brick-oven, fire-roasted pizza and a wonderful variety of pasta dishes. What you shouldn’t expect is to find dishes that you have never heard of and are not sure of what they are. Authentic Italian food can be found throughout the world and it seems to be one of the few cuisines that has exported itself without losing its fundamental roots. The difference, as we have said, is the attention to detail and the use of the freshest ingredients.

There is something about the tomatoes and herbs that are grown in Tuscany that seem to truly make a difference. Despite the fact that there were so many pasta dishes available, we tended to gravitate towards fresh seafood and items that might be a little more unique. Throughout Europe, we found that food was always prepared using what was in season and not just a set menu that was served throughout the entire year. We truly enjoyed the wonderful food that we tasted during our time there and will measure all Italian meals in the future against these wonderful creations.