Florence is too hearty a city for a one-day breeze-through; therefore, I have separated the city into regional chunks, Northern and Western for this article, The Center of the Center and Eastern in another, and finally the Oltrarno district and my one day itinerary for the third spectacular piece. Tackle one or two areas at a time, and you will find yourself to be a happy clam. Browse through the three articles and be prepared to deal with an over-whelming longing for Italy’s cultural heart and my soul’s hometown.

If you are an art enthusiast, drawn to beauty, enjoy the nightlife, or enthralled with history’s touch on the modern world, savor the delights of my guide to the city of Florence, Italy.

Northern Florence

If you have never had your breath taken away, take a stroll through the Northern part of Florence. Obviously, the streets are gorgeous and the shops adorable, but the grandest part of Florence is, by far, what peeks through the buildings at you. It’s so colossal, it’s almost frightening, and the facade will stun anyone who approaches it. It cannot be said enough; the Duomo kicks ano (that’s a little Italian for you). If you ask anyone, “Dove e’ il Duomo,” they will no doubt point you in the right direction, because even the tourists know exactly where Florence’s main landmark lies.

Also titled Cattedrale Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo’s dome is the biggest in the world of its kind, and the lantern on top showcases expansive views of Florence and Fiesole, the nearby Etruscan hill town. There is a snaking line for the church entrance daily, except during the Friday services, and it is also free. If you aren’t too claustrophobic, I’d suggest climbing up the narrow shafts and spaces between the dome’s two layers. I nearly lost my cookies, but it was well worth it to see and be near such a historical masterpiece. If you arrive first thing in the morning, avoid the long line for the dome and catch the early views, you won’t mind paying the fee to climb. Architecture enthusiasts, definitely scale this beast.

A block south of the Duomo on Via dell’ Oche is a little American bookstore called the Paperback Exchange, where you can buy

This year following the great success of the last Special Offers in 2006, Scuola Leonardo da Vinci will feature new last minute language travel packages in Italy in all its Italian language school centers (Florence, Milan, Rome and Siena).

The “last minute language travel package” is an offer comprehensive of a 2 week language and culture course and an accomodation in shared apartment, for students who wish to experience living and studying in Italy.

For the morning you can study Italian, while for the afternoon you can visit the city, with the free guided tours, or partecipate to the many cultural activities organized by the school. For the night you can have an aperitivo, a dinner in a typical restaurant, a disco night with the new friends you’ll meet at the school and with the school staff, who usually partecipates and organizes the nightlife. Then, during the week-ends, the Italian school organizes daily excursions and tours around the Region, to visit the best places in the country, the lakes or some wonderful typical Italian towns.

Created to provide an opportunity for motivated and deserving students to experience the magic of study abroad at an Italian language school, the “last minute language travel package” aims to:

- progress from your language level to the upper stages;

- develop speaking and listening skills through daily conversation classes;

- give an introduction to the everlasting beauty and charm of Italian art;

- allow you to understand the mixture of tradition and change which characterizes contemporary Italy.

When asked about her experience, Sanda S., who studied in Milan with Scuola Leonardo da Vinci last year, commented: “I was delighted at the chance to travel to Italy and attend Scuola Leonardo da Vinci. I believe the programme helped me to improve my Italian in a friendly and supportive environment. I really enjoyed meeting people from around the world. Being able to study in Italy also helped me gain an understanding of the Italian culture. It was certainly an experience I will never forget and intend to repeat in the future.”

Program details and supporting information, including students opinions and histories on the Language Course Experience in Italy, may be found on the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci Web site at http://www.scuolaleonardo.com/. Next Starting dates, as written on the Web Site, are 30 July, and 08 August 2007.

For 30 years, Scuola Leonardo da Vinci, the market leader in in-country Italian language courses, has been exclusively dedicated to the teaching of Italian to foreigners. Each year the company welcomes students from 60 countries to its Italian language schools in Florence, Milan, Rome and Siena. The company’s Web site, www.scuolaleonardo.com, an Italian language portal offering information and pages of Italian language courses, culture and resources on 12 languages, receives more than 3,000 visits daily.

For general questions, contact the Marketing Office of Scuola Leonardo da Vinci.

Information and Registration Center (Florence, Italy)

Tel.: +39-055-29.03.05

Fax: +39-055-290396

http://www.scuolaleonardo.com

Amenities and Activities at a Florence Farmhouse

The farmhouse holiday Florence style is one that is filled with adventure and relaxation all at once. Situated in the hillsides of Tuscany, a farmhouse is central to some of the region’s best tourist attractions. You are close to cities for their museums and culture, yet away from the noise and hustle and bustle of the nightlife. You are short walk or bike ride from the best pizzerias, cafes, and restaurants, or you can choose to eat a quiet meal at “home.”

Many farmhouse rentals come with some meals included. Also included are the equipment and “toys” round at the homestead. For example, bicycles, swimming gear, even motorcycles can often be borrowed or rented. You can also have use of the pool or drive or walk a short distance to the beaches along the coast, depending on where your farmhouse rental is located.

Both long and short term rentals are possible at a Florence farmhouse. The rates are generally between 400 and 800 Euros per week depending on how many people are in your party. The price will also be higher if meals are included.

Why Choose a Farmhouse

A farmhouse offers the space and flexibility to explore the region at a relaxed pace. It is also great for families with smaller children who may need the room for running and playing. A quieter atmosphere and the close proximity to attractions, make a farmhouse an attractive alternative to hotel living for families with young children.

If you prefer nature and the outdoors to city life, then this is a vacation where you can hike, ride horses or bicycles, and swim by day and then eat, drink, dance, and get a good night’s rest by night. The owners of the farmhouses have usually had the homes in their families for generations and make visitors feel like long lost relatives with their warmth and hospitality.

What is Included?
More advantages to staying in a farmhouse are the home like amenities that are included with your rental. You will access to the kitchen, more than one full bath, laundry facilities, and the room for family members to have their own space, instead of crowding into a couple of small hotel rooms.

The best of both hotel life and home life are combined at the farmhouse. You will have housekeeping services that change bed linens and take care of making sure you have plenty of clean towels. You will also be able to get to know your hosts, many of which will cook meals according to your preferences and requests. There is nothing quite as inviting as an Italisan Mama making the pasta just the way you like it!