Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day(2008)
From 101lifeStyle.com

Valentine's Day Romantic Destinations:

Valentine's Day Romantic Cities:

9.Florence - A City For Lovers:

The capital of the region of Tuscany in Italy Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in the world with stunning views of hills and mountains. Florence was very much the epicentre of the Italian Renaissance and remains one of the world's top attractions for lovers of art. Horse-drawn carriages, cobblestone streets, artistic treasures, culinary delights – the sights, sounds and tastes of Florence can awaken amore in even the most skeptical heart. And when the sweetness of St. Valentine’s Day warms the February breezes blowing over the Arno, there is perhaps no better place to find romance. Although St. Valentine’s Day is celebrated in most western societies, it is fitting that Cupid’s big day originated in Italy, the cradle of romance. The holiday takes its name from the martyred Valentine, a somewhat mysterious Roman priest of the third century. Florence. Surrounded by the Appenine mountain chain it lies in a fertile valley surrounded by the charming Tuscan vineyards and olive groves. The art galleries and museums of Florence are renowned throughout the world and holiday makers flock to admire the superb David of Michaelangelo, the Venus of Botticelli or the stunning Duomo with its marble facade which glows in the golden sunlight. The city is not only culture however, it is also home to elegant boutique, tiny craft shops and tempting ice cream parlors with gelato served in every flavor under the sun.

Things To Do / See:

A.Watch The Sunset:
Enjoy the soft beauty of a romantic sunset over the river Arno hand in hand with your loved one. Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence, is a great place to watch the sun set. Dating as far back as Roman times, this bridge crosses the River Arno. In addition to taking a nature break here, you can also take a leisurely stroll, enjoy street performances, or watch portrait painters work. Jewelry shops selling designer and antique jewelry can also be found along this unique bridge.
Go to the "Piazzale Michelangelo" and enjoy the really nice view. It's a big square on hill, but somewhat distant from the traditional tourist sites. It's easy to reach it even on foot using the stairs called "Rampe di San Niccolò". They are on the side of the Arno river just in front of the national library. Do this thing during the summer and during the night to admire Florence's lights.

B.Michelangelo's David:
No trip to Florence would be complete without a view of the world's most famous David! Here you can see the statue in the Museum Galleria dell'Academia.

C.Boboli Gardens:
The Boboli gardens in Florence are among the most beautiful gardens in Italy, complete with fountains, statues, an amphitheater and, if you make it all the way to the top, spectacular views of Florence, Italy. There are several paths to the top, some passing past the Neptune Fountain. There are benches around the lake-like fountain where you can rest and enjoy the garden. Towering above the Boboli gardens is the Forte di Belvedere, a scenic point with views of the city of Florence, Italy. A visit to the Pitti Palace is a must. The Pitti Palace provides an array of art-viewing opportunities. The Palatine Gallery, the Silver Museum, the Gallery of Modern Art, and the Galleria del Costume are housed in this palatial complex.

D.Romantic Dinner:
In addition to being a fashionable spot for star-crossed sweethearts, Firenze is a magnet for lovers of Tuscan food. With its array of robust flavors fine wines and sweet treats, Florentine cuisine is perfect for the most romantic meal of the year – Valentine’s Day dinner (which you can try at home with our dinner for two). On a romantic eve, long after the sun has set behind the Ponte Santa Trinitá bridge, couples linger at cozy tables filled with a flavorful abundance of local produce, meats, cheeses and desserts. Hearty soups, pastas, bean dishes and steaks bathed in the region’s prized extra virgin olive oil are among the night’s many gastronomic treasures. And when dinner is done and the candles have burned low, the sound of lovers leaning towards each other, whispering “Cara mia, ti voglio bene” murmurs once again through this timeless town.

E.Visit Museums:
Galleria degli Uffizi where the collections of Renaissance paintings and sculptures from classical antiquity are superb. Accademia. More sculpture, highlights are Michelangelo's David and the unfinished Slaves. Bargello officially The National Museum of the Bargello, it houses one of the best examples of Renaissance and Mannerist sculpture. Museo dell'Opera del Duomo - the Cathedral Museum, with artworks formerly in the Duomo and surrounding religious buildings, including sculptures by Donatello and the losing entries in the contest to design the doors of the Baptistery. Models and drawings of the Cathedral are also worth seeing.

F.Visit The Famous Sights:
Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as the Duomo di Firenze is the city's beautiful cathedral, the symbol of the city. Brunelleschi's huge dome was an engineering feat of the rennaissance. A statue of Brunelleschi is sited in the piazza, with his figure looking upwards towards his dome. Giotto's Tower - adjacent to the Duomo, you can climb the tower for a magnificent 360-degree view of the Duomo, Florence, and the surrounding area.€6 entrance fee, and requires some tenacity to climb 414 steps. Baptistery famous for the Paradise door and beautiful interior. Palazzo Vecchio - old city palace/city hall, adorned with fine art. The replica of Michelangelo's "David" is placed outside the main door in the original location of the statue, which is a symbol of the Comune of Florence. Santa Croce church contains the monumental tombs of Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Dante, and many other notables in addition to artistic decorations. There is also great artwork in the church. Santa Maria Novella, near the train station, is a beautiful church and contains great artwork, including a recently restored Trinity by Masaccio. Also, the Chiostre Verde, to your left when facing the front entrance of the church, contains frescos. Orsanmichele the beautiful old church of the Medici, converted from it's original purpose as a grainery. San Lorenzo and the San Marco Convent are also very beautiful and worth a visit. Santa Maria del Carmine has famous frescos (Masaccio’s Adam and Eve Banished From the Garden and others by Lippi and Masolino) in the Brancacci Chapel. Piazzale Michelangelo (Michelangelo square) plaza on a hilltop with a great view of the city (go there by bus) or climb the stairs and paths from the Lungarno della Zecca. San Miniato al Monte and Santa Trinita, both contain brilliant frescoes and are worth a visit.

G.Wine Tasting Tour:
Enjoy an excursion to one of the most famous areas of Tuscany, known all over the world for its wine and countryside of unequalled beauty. Alternating woods with vines and olive trees, where Romanesque Churches, farmhouses, Villas and Castles of rare beauty are to be found.
This tour includes a visit to a place of particular historic and artistic interest in an old village, and of one of the most renowned castle farms with a snack and tasting of its prestigious wines. The tours are carried out in different areas of the Chianti region, and the trip from Florence to Chianti is approximately 40 minutes each way. The tour includes Wine tasting with snack in a castle farm amongst others and must be booked 48 hrs in advance.

H.Other Tours:
If you have ample time on your hands with no worries of geeting anywhere then you and your sweetheart can head for a Siena and San Gimignano Full Day Tuscany Tour from Florence. Discover the countryside of the Chianti region, with ever changing scenery of vineyards and olive trees.
On arrival into Siena, you will be given a guided tour of this magnificent medieval city. Admire the interior of the Cathedral, with the Piccolomini Library, the Opera Metropolitana Museum. The tour will then proceed to Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, and the Town Hall (outside). You will be given free time for lunch. You will visit San Gimignano, a tiny city that has remained intact through the centuries. The city is situated on top of a hill and is famous for its numerous towers, frescoes and other art treasures. You will be given free time to explore this fascinating city. On the return journey, you will see the old medieval village of Monteriggioni, enclosed by its famous walls which are still intact.

I.Visit The Leaning Tower Of Pisa:
After a panoramic drive, travel along the Arno embankments where the tour begins with a guided visit of Piazza dei Miracoli. It's easy to find the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa.

J.Vivoli Ice Cream:
Finally, don't leave Florence without savoring a delectable creation for your taste buds. Be sure to stop by Vivoli to enjoy the most famous Florentine ice cream, made by the Vivoli family since 1930.

How To Get To Florence:

By Air:
The Aeroporto di Firenze (code FLR) has good connections to the center of the city, which can be reached in about fifteen minutes by taxi. Much cheaper flights to destinations throughout Europe can be found at Pisa airport.

By Train:
Local trains from other parts of Italy and express trains from around Europe arrive in Florence. The main station is Firenze Santa Maria Novella, on the edge of the historic old town. Other small stations are Firenze Campo Marte (near Florence Stadium) and Firenze Rifredi. If you take an Intercity train to Florence, you may need to change at Rifredi for another train to Firenze S.M.N. The train to Vienna takes about 12 hours.

By Bus:
Bus stops have clear, schematic labelling of the routes and are all named according to the street name or major landmark nearby. They do not always give an indication of bus times, however, so it is sometimes difficult to figure out how long it may take till the next bus arrives. Tickets must be bought in advance from Tobacconists or newspaper sellers, and are usually valid for one hour over the whole network, so that you can just hop on and off at will.

By Car:
Florence is connected by good highways to the rest of Italy. Cars aren't allowed in the small old town centre, so plan on parking your car and leaving it for a while. Parking is expensive. There's a cheap open air parking between the "Fortezza da basso" and "Santa Maria Novella" railway station. On Sundays it's free! You can also find free parking at all hours at "Piazzale Michelangelo" on the south side of the - it's about a 20 min walk to city center (down the stairs and across the Arno). It has gorgeous views of the city as well.

Getting Around: