Dreaming of Florence

Dreaming of Florence is filled to the brim with important and interesting tidbits about the city's history and tourism. Follow the path back through the history of this grand city, from the culture of Florence from the Etruscans and Romans to the cradle of the Renaissance and its geniuses: Dante, Boccaccio, Galileo, Ghiberti, Brunelleschi, Donatello and more. Learn what it's like to live in the city today, and how to get the most out of your visit with practical advice on planning your trip. The book covers all the culture and history of Florence, paintings, sculpture, architecture, monuments, churches and famous sites, with practical tips about reserving tickets ahead of time, the best panoramas of the city and the best ideas for visiting with children. You can take a trip through the flowers and gardens of Florence, including the Iris, Camellia and Rose shows in the spring, as well as the hidden gardens created by the Medicis, Corsini and Michelangelo. Nothing is forgotten, with information about finding your own room with a view, the best places to stay, from centuries-old hotels to pensioni to cutting edge boutique hotels to amazing apartments. The book has all you need to know about spending a day in the country visiting such places as the hill town of Fiesole, villas, ceramic centers and monasteries. When you're feeling peckish, have a flip through the section on the world of Florentine food and wine, with ideas for small trattorias, the most mouth watering pastries and gelatos as well as cooking schools. To work off all that belissima food step out in style and find out the best places to find butter soft leather handbags and shoes, exquisite silks, rich paper and stationery and modern home goods. With all this and more, including over 200 gorgeous colour photos, Dreaming of Florence is a wonderful travel guide, for both the avid trekker and the armchair traveller.