A Trip to Florence
December 5, 2007
Like any eager tourist, I was keen to snap a photo of Michaelangelo's statue of David. But looking at the large, similarly eager crowd and then down the hallway lined with even more masterpieces, I realized that with only five days to soak in Florence, I couldn't afford to waste too much time.
Florence is a lesson in European art history. Heralded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, today the city's monuments and museums blend seamlessly into modern life. In the center of the old city, I admired the impressive facade of the Santa Maria del Fiore, otherwise known as the Duomo, as the locals whizzed by on bicycles. While its manageable size allowed me to stroll between many of the main attractions, Florence's rich history and artistic heritage overloaded my senses.
Audio guides are well worth the few extra euros. Packed with commentary and digestible bites of history, they are indispensable. Some museums took a day or two to properly explore, and prebookings are essential during the peak season.
With a notebook in hand, I jotted down the names of painting and artists that had left impressions on me. I left this charming Italian city realizing how little I knew, but also knowing that I had already taken the biggest bite I could chew.
Bliss!
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