Florence Loveliest and liveliest of Italian cities…
(Friends Travel LLP 90048 Google Us !)
Florence…the magnificent
Loveliest and liveliest of Italian cities…
Chances are if you have clients going to Italy…they will stay a night or two (or three..) in fabulous Florence. And if they are going to be there, they are going to be looking for a great place to stay…and for things to do and see that will give them more than a nodding acquaintance with this fabled city.
Here are a few of the things that we can help you with at Friends Travel LLP 90048:
* Transfers – need quality transportation with professional drivers to and from Florence? Our team is ready to help “move” you – singles, couples, families and groups of any size – to and from the airport, the train station or any out of town locations.
* Accommodations – we’ve hand-picked a few of Florence’s best hotels, B&Bs, villas and apartments – places that will appeal to any budget level.
* Sightseeing – we’ve put together a plethora of scheduled sightseeing tours that will reveal Florence’s treasures to your clients and half day and full day excursions that will take them to many of Tuscany’s other “art cities” – Pisa, Lucca, San Gimignano and Siena.
* Personal tours – our fully registered, English-speaking guides will accompany your clients on customized tours of Florence and beyond.
* Tickets – we can pre-buy tickets to all major galleries and museums – the Uffizi, Accademia, Bargello, Pitti Palace and more.
* Cooking classes – your clients can enjoy one of our 1/2 day and full day cooking classes in Florence – it’s a fun way to spend a few memorable hours.
* Wine Tours – we can organize full day tours into Tuscany’s famous wine districts for couples, families and groups of any size.
* Meetings and conventions – Florence boasts many fabulous meeting and convention facilities and we can hook you up.
* Weddings and parties – not a problem – we have a a selection of top quality wedding venues to offer, can assist with legal work, organize the marriage ceremony and the wedding reception…and make sure that every member of the wedding party is looked after.
Florence…fun, fabulous and forever!
Visiting Historic Florence
Birthplace of the Renaissance
Just as Tuscany is on one of the “must see” regions in Italy, Florence is the “must see” city in Tuscany. But, be forewarned: during the summer months millions of tourists pour into the City from all over Europe, and make sightseeing difficult. The best time to visit in the early Spring, Fall or winter months. In fact, visiting Florence in November, January and February are some of the best times to enjoy this spectacular city for so many reasons, from cheaper prices in the restaurants to the eerie romantic feel that walking over Pontevecchio (the Golden bridge)
The city center has a pronounced medieval feel. The buildings are mostly of hewn grey stone with roofs of russet colored tiles. The same stone has been used to cobble the ancient streets. The author Mary McCarthy wrote a book about Florence called “The Stones of Florence” because of the stone works hard and refractive qualities. The book, written in 1959, is as apt today as it was then, a good read that will help you see Florence through fresh eyes. A very good idea, that.
Florence is densely packed and busy, its intersecting streets and alleys contributing to a sense of befuddlement for the first time traveler. We recommend you actually allow yourself the fun of “getting lost” in this city, because around most corners, you will encounter many wonderful, surprising things. Besides, you can always pick-out a landmark, like Brunelleschi’s dome on the Duomo or the tall bell tower, or the Santa Maria Novella train station to quickly re-orient yourself.
This is not a suitable place to write at length about the history of Florence, but a few quick notes are in order.
The city, on the banks of the Arno river, originally named Fiesole, was founded by the Etruscans in about 200 BC. The Romans, who displaced the Etruscans, called it Florentia, and used it as a garrison town to control the Via Flaminia, a major Roman highway.
During the 12th and 13th centuries, the city underwent a process of democratization. First, it evolved into a free commune. By 1138 AD, it was ruled by a board of 12 consuls, advised by a wealthy group of merchants, the Council of One Hundred. This arrangement fell apart because of infighting, resulting in the “election” of a foreign governor, the podesta.
Early in the 13th century, bickering between the Guelphs (pro-papal) and Ghibellines (pro-monarchy), ultimately resulted in the formation of a government by the “winning” Guelphs. During this period, the plague reduced the the city’s population by half, which accelerated the democratization process.
By the end of the century, nobles were excluded from Florentine government, and the city became a republic, controlled by Guelph merchants. The DeMedici family emerged as the leading family, and the city came more or less under their control until they went broke in 1494, when Florence fell under the control of Girolamo Savanorola, a Dominican munk who enforced a puritanical regime. He was hanged and burned for his troubles in 1498.
The enterprising Medici’s returned to power in the early 16th century and ruled for another 200 years. The city’s fame as a center of art, culture and science derives principally from the fact that the Medicis were active patrons to the best of the best in all fields. This period, with a legacy almost unsurpassed in the western world, is known far and wide as the Renaissance.
In the 18th century, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany passed into the control of the House of Lorraine, and was ultimately incorproated into the Kingdom of Italy, of which Tuscany became capital. With the demise of the monarchy, Tuscany became just another, if somewhat more exalted, regional capital.
The two world wars wreaked extensive damage on Florence, a devastating flood in 1966 took a big toll on numerous buildings, including the Ufizi art gallery, and many works of art.
Restoration continues to this day.
Get Our Help With Your Next Vacation
Let Friends Travel LLP 90048 help you plan your next trip, whatever your budget. Submit your detailed request,
and please remember that the more compelling (and specific) your question,
the better answer and faster response we can provide.
Be sure to also include your place of origin.
We service all 48 Mainland USA cities to the destination of your choice.
EMAIL FriendsTravel@earthlink.net 24/7/365
GOOGLE Friends Travel LLP 90048 for more exciting travel opportunities everywhere in the world.
GOOGLE JESS Kalinowsky Professional Travel Consultant has traveled to 133 destinations around the world and sailed over 100 cruises.
Ask us about:
Destination Weddings and Honeymoons
Family Travel
Volunteer Tourism
Medical Tourism
Adventure Tourism
Eco Tourism
Tours and Cruises anywhere.
First Class, Business Class, and Coach airfares available at THE most advantageous rates possible.
International Cell Phone rental:
http://www.travelcell.com/tcap.asp?ag=FTCA
Click on the link, fill in the blanks, and VIOLA! Your international cellphone will be delivered.
Travel Insurance is strongly recommended for any of your travel reservations:
http://www.travelinsurancecenter.com/eng/cobrandindex.cfm?affiliate=FriendsTravel
Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance
http://www.travelassistnetwork.com/default.aspx?tanno=124
o Caribbean Resorts and Cruises
o Cruises Worldwide
o Europe Tours and Cruises
o Hawaii Resort Vacations
o Hotels, Resorts and Spas
o Central America
o Mexico Resort Vacations
o Technology to serve our clients
o Tour Operators Vacations Worldwide
o Destination Weddings and Honeymoons
Same location since 1985
- Location: Friends Travel LLP 90048 Google Us !
