ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON THE GODDESS HOWE BLOG 4/13/2013
One of my very favorite places is Florence, Italy. The history, the people, the architecture, the beauty. The River Arno.
The dazzling centerpiece of Florence is Duomo and Campanile of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fioro. They are masterpieces of green, white, and pink marble.
The Campanile, also known as Giotto’s Tower, is 278 feet high. There are 414 calf-wrenching steps to climb to the top, but the views of the Florence skyline make it worth it.
The Duomo is the tallest building in Florence. At the time it was built in 1463, its massive top dome was the largest in the world.
Not only is Florence absolutely beautiful, but I was told the city of Florence has more museums per capita than any other city. I would like to visit them all!!!
Venturing out from Florence, the hills and valleys of Tuscany, Italy, are filled with the warmest and most welcoming people in the quaintest and most beautiful villages. There are so many beautiful rentals in tuscany that it’s hard not to look at it as one of the most desirable holiday locations around.
Many villages in Tuscany are still located within the walls of former castles and strongholds. But the towers and noblemen who ruled over them are long gone.
Some of these ancient towers still stand. The village of San Gimignano is known for its dueling towers built by power-hungry nobles in the 12th-13th century.
Now there are dueling tourists, not noblemen. But San Gimignano still retains a quiet charm in its history and mystery.
Paris may forever be my favorite city, but Italy is my favorite country to visit. I would even like to live there some day. A summer in Tuscany sounds heavenly.
Perhaps they would let me move back into my room here where we stayed at the Villa Belvedere. I could live here!
Is there any where you would like to live for a time? If so, where?