How to find out if youre a restaurantaholic

August 22nd, 2010

MAYBE it is simplistic, but if you like to dine at great restaurants around the world and enjoy good wines, then there can only be one conclusion. You are a restaurantaholic! There is nothing wrong with that, in fact, it sure beats compulsive womanising or gambling! I would like to share with you some of my experiences of Paris. The first time I came here and dined at maxims on the Rue Royale, before it was bought by Pierre Cardin, I knew I had the makings of a superb restaurantaholic.

MARVELLOUS cuisine revolutionized by Catherine de Medici from Florence in Italy who became Queen of France in 1547, has made France a magnet for food & wine lovers. Catherine brought along her retinue of Master Chefs as well as Italian delights like Zabaglione and milk-fed veal, when she went to France in 1533 to become the bride of the Duc d’Orleans (later King Henry II of France). Recently, I made a Gastronomic Safari to France where I discovered some culinary gems to share with you.

Gourmet’s best kept Secret

I based myself in probably the safest hotel in Paris, elegant Sofitel le Faubourg. Very near the Champs-Elysee & famous Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore, the 18th & 19th Century buildings are located in secluded Rue Boissy d’Anglas. As the US Embassy is next door, the road is sealed off to cars & heavily armed Gendarmes with automatic weapons are on guard 24 hours a day. Another bonus is the feather pillows and quilts here are the most comfortable I’ve ever snoozed on. Every morning, I enjoyed a delightful breakfast in Caf Faubourg of fresh croissants, omelettes with ham, cheese & tomatoes done to perfection and fragrant, freshly brewed Caf au lait. Impressed by the breakfast, I decided to have dinner in the Caf Faubourg. I sat at a table with a flute of chilled Laurent Perrier Rose champagne, facing a tranquil courtyard and felt like I was in a French nobleman’s house. I began with Frothy Chestnut Broth & Foie Gras Royale. The luscious flavours brought out by the Chef’s skill emerged like ballerinas to please my palate. Eagerly, I waited for my next coursea Spice Crusted Pheasant Filet with pan fried Foie Gras plus Buttered Cabbage magically appeared. Carefully, I cut into the Foie Gras (it means fatty liver’ in French) and I could tell that the moist core had been done to perfection, neither too overdone nor underdone. I moaned in delight as the provocatively delicious, decadent and rich flavours caressed my tastebuds. A taste to kill for. A lovely glass of aromatic

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Leonardo Da Vinci: Leonardo’s Animals Part 2 (of 2)

August 22nd, 2010

Leonardo is known to have kept horses, along with dogs, cats and other animals. Although numerous animal studies are found throughout Leonardo’s drawings, his most frequent animal sketches are of horses. His renderings are extremely detailed and life-like. He infused his renditions of animals with nobility – a characteristic that stemmed from his deep love and respect for the animals he sketched and painted.

In the mid 1480s, Leonardo moved from Florence to Milan. At that time, Milan was one of the most powerful city-states in Northern Italy. And, it’s Duke, Ludovico Sforza, commissioned Leonardo to make a horse like no other to honor the Duke’s father, Francesco Sforzo. It was to be a massive, bronze-cast statue – the largest statue ever built, standing 24 feet high.

Leonardo made a great number of preparatory drawings for his Sforza Horse. His notebooks are filled with proportional studies of horses. There are detailed diagrams of the anatomy of horses, along with notes on how to cast it, and it would weigh 80 tons once complete! Leonardo made the clay model to scale, but the bronze horse was not to be. In 1499, the French army threatened an attack. The metal intended for the Sforza Horse would be needed to make canons. Leonardo left Milan before the French Army marched on the city. Seeing the massive clay horse, the French soldiers could not resist using it for target practice.Thereafter it was reduced to rubble. Leonardo became despondent and at the same time, vowed to one day see his horse completely built.

Much has been written throughout history about the “Horse that Never Was”. Five hundred years after the destruction of the clay model, based on the notes and sketches of Leonardo, the 24-foot bronze horse was cast. In fact, two full-scale statues were completed. One stands in Michigan, while the other was given as a gift to the City of Milan. United Airline Pilot Charles Dent made it happen. Upon seeing the original sketches that had been rediscovered in Spain, he started the process of raising the necessary funds to build the full-scale, bronze horse. His plan was to give it as a gift to the Italians from the Americans. Being something of a sculptor himself, he built a clay model of the horse to Leonardo’s specifications. And, although Charles Dent died in 1994, his dream lived on and over four-million dollars was raised. On September 10th, 1999, exactly 500 years after the French destroyed Leonardo’s clay model, the bronze statue was unveiled in Milan. On October 7th, 1999, a second casting of the horse was unveiled in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This second horse is known as the American Horse.

Along with his sudies of mammals, Leonardo made hundreds of bird sketches. In the medieval publication Lives of Artists, Giorgio Vasari tells how Leonardo would go to the markets and buy caged birds, and then open their cages, giving them back their freedom.(1) Leonardo studied the motion of their wings in flight as well as their anatomy and physiology. He wrote down and illustrated his own theories on the flight of birds and was inspired to make several sketches of mechanical flying machines. He wrote a treatise called Codex on The Flight of Birds in which he made diagrams of a helical wing, beating wings, a parachute, and bat wings. Later he realized the problems with human-powered propulsion and began making notes and diagrams of gliders. He also designed a machine based on a helical screw that was 32 or 33 feet in diameter.(2) It was supposed to lift off and fly as the blade rotated, resembling a modern-day helicopter.

Leonardo’s passionate interest in studying animals was unique for his time. He studied and observed animals, and sketched and painted them with grace and realism. Other Renaissance artists like Michelangelo (1475-1564) and Raphael (1483-1520), who focused more on the humanity and divinity in art, did not include animals in their works to the extent as Leonardo did.(3) Without neglecting the Divine in Humanity, Leonardo above all other Renaissance artists, elevated all of nature and made it part of the Divine.

Sources: 1. http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/vasari/vasari14.htm 2.http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/leonardo/studio/ 3.Kane, Douglas D. “Science in the Art of the Italian Renaissance II: Leonardo da Vinci’s Representation of Animals in His Works” Ohio State University, 2002.

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A lovely holiday in Florence and northern Italy

August 22nd, 2010

A farmhouse holiday in Florence is sure to be the vacation you never forget. Many old farmhouses in Florence and the surrounding Tuscan region were once the estates of the country’s nobility. Now they are the places where families and friends can all get together in one large, warm, friendly place and make it their home base for discovering all that Tuscany has to offer.

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!

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Sensational Baby Boy Names And Baby Girl Names From The Daring 1900s

August 19th, 2010

The 20th Century had just started and baby boy names and baby girl names reflected the hopes and dreams for a prosperous era. The romance of the 1890s lingered on and new parents felt upbeat about the future.

Baby names often take on the flavor of the times. In 1904, the musicals by George M. Cohan had everyone singing “I’m a Yankee Doodle Boy,” and “Give My Regards to Broadway.” “Mamzelle Champagne” was pulling in the crowds at the Madison Square Theater on Broadway. The mood was light-hearted, and may have been responsible for the musical-sounding names of the times such as Bertha, Rose, Marie, and Harry.

From 1900 to 1909 there was a mood of daring in the air and unrest around the world. There were stirrings of revolution in Russia and full-blown revolution in Panama. The Victorian era came to an end in 1901 with the death of Queen Victoria, one of the last great monarchs.

But good times were here as well. In 1903 the Wright brothers made their first successful flight. In 1904, construction started on the Panama Canal. And in 1905, Albert Einstein and renowned physicist and mathematician Mileva Maric, set the world on fire with the Theory of Relativity.

The 10 top baby boy names from 1900 to 1909, in order of popularity, were John, William, James, George, Robert, Joseph, Frank, Edward, and Thomas. They were strong names and all were names of saints.

John (Hebrew) means “honorable;” William (English) means “staunch protector;” James (English) means “steadfast;” George (Greek) means “loving the land;” Charles (German) means “well-loved;” Robert (English) means “brilliant;” Joseph (Hebrew) means “supported by God;” Frank (short for Francis) comes from the Latin and means “free spirit;” Edward (Anglo-Saxon) means “defender;” and Thomas (Aramaic) means “twin.”

As for the top baby girl names of 1900 to 1909, they, too, were powerful yet lyrical names that would have been found in most of the songs of the day. Just saying these beautiful names makes your heart sing. They are the names of saints, empresses, queens, painters and poets.

These names, in order of their popularity, are Mary, Helen, Margaret, Anna, Ruth, Elizabeth, Dorothy, Marie, Florence, and Mildred.

Mary (Hebrew) means “spiritual;” Helen (Greek) means “beautiful;” Margaret (Greek) means “treasured pearl;” Anna (Greek-Latin form of “Hannah”) means “loving;” Ruth (Hebrew) means “loyal friend;” Elizabeth (Hebrew) means “beauty;” Dorothy (Greek) means “gift of God;” Marie (French) means “spiritual;” Florence (Latin) means “flowering blossom;” and Mildred (Old English) means “gentle.”

The first decade of the 20th Century ended the way it started – on a high note. The era of the motor car was just around the corner. People had jobs and they had food on the table. The future looked bright.

The wonderful baby boy names continued into the next decade unchanged. The musical baby girl names even added a few new names in the 1910s.

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Pisa Airport

August 19th, 2010

If you are going to be visiting Tuscany, you will probably be taking a plane into the area. After all, it is much easier to get to this part of the world if you fly. Of course, you need to know a little bit about the Pisa Airport before you leave. The Pisa Airport is close to most popular destinations in the area, and the portal that you will more than likely use no matter why you are traveling to Tuscany.

There are quite a few benefits of using the Pisa Airport in your travels. First and foremost, the size of the airport will work to your advantage no matter if you are flying into or out of the area. When it comes down to it, this may be the biggest detail of the Pisa Airport. If you are like most people, you want to have many options available to you when traveling. It may not be the largest airport in the world, but it does offer several flights per day to top destinations.

Another benefit of the Pisa Airport is its proximity to destinations such as Genoa, Florence, and Leghorn. All of these destinations are popular among travelers to the area. To go along with being in close proximity to these tourist destinations, the Pisa Airport also offers several car hire services that are sure to meet your needs. If you are interested in traveling the area on your own, you will definitely want to take advantage of one of these services.

Just like most airports, the Pisa Airport offers plenty of food, shopping, currency exchange machines, and miscellaneous facilities such as first aid.

All in all, the Pisa Airport is among the nicest in the area. If you are thinking about visiting Italy in the near future, make sure that you consider flying in and out of the Pisa Airport. All of the benefits will most definitely make things easy on you!

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Tom Cruise Producing the Bestseller The Monster of Florence

August 19th, 2010

Tom Cruise has bought the rights to “The Monster of Florence”, the novel by the master thriller writer Douglas Preston and by Mario Spezi the Florence journalist. The book has been at the top of the best sellers in the United States (eight weeks in the New York times best sellers list), after being voted the best thriller of the year by Amazon. Douglas Preston, whose bestsellers have already inspired several successful Hollywood films, has described this film as the biggest film contract of his life.

Tom Cruise, owner of United Artists, is going to invest 50 million dollars into making the film, and will be the producer, and possibly also an actor in the film, in a partnership also involving Metro Goldwyn Mayer and Warner. The screenplay will be written by Christopher McQuarry, who also wrote the screenplay for “The Usual Suspects”. Apparently the american actor fell in love with the idea, and was completely entranced by the book, which tells the story of the most famous italian serial killer, who was responsible for eight double murders committed between 1968 and 1985, killing young couples in remote spots in the countryside around Florence.

The novel in reality is the counter investigation by the journalist Mario Spezi, who has looked into the affair for the last 40 years and believes that the real monster of Florence is probably a person who has remained on the edges of the enquiry. In fact due to his ideas Spezi spent 23 days in prison accused of sidetracking police enquiries, and Preston was expelled from Italy accused of the same thing.

The extraordinary legal vicissitudes of the florentine journalist, which raised an enormous controversy about the freedom of the press in Italy, is intertwined with this disturbing and morbid story of murder, which happened in one of the most-loved places in the world: Florence the splendid hills around it. And in fact the Chianti area near Florence will be at the centre of the film, which will be shot next year in this landscape of centuries-old vineyards, olive groves and medieval villages. Allowing yourself the luxury of a stay in a prestigious property is the best way of discovering the real attraction of the places in this area which are rich in beauty, history and culture

In fact it was this countryside that was behind the meeting of Spezi and Preston, who came to Italy in the year 2000 with his family to fulfil a dream he had had for years. It was then that he discovered that right next to the fifteenth century house he had rented was carried out one of the terrible crimes of the monster.

Tuscany is a perfect combination of beautiful scenery, art treasures, warmth and hospitality, and superb food and wine. We have some enchanting villas in Tuscany to enable you to enjoy this extraordinary area to the full. The Tuscan villas in our collection of Tuscan villa rentals, many of which are luxury villas, are in the most beautiful positions to enable you to experience this unique place.

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Guide to Tuscany

August 16th, 2010

Tuscany is a very scenic region in Italy whose capital is Florence. It has six protected sites by UNESCO making it a famous tourist destination. It is a beautiful land with captivating villages and cities.

The first human settlements in Tuscany were Etruscans who established the town of Fiesole during the 1st century B.C. They were great builders, sea-farers and they made excellent artwork and jewelry. When Rome colonized the region, the Etruscans became incorporated into the Roman civilization. During this period the towns of Lucca, Pisa, Siena, Florence and Pistoia were established.

When Roman power faded, barbarians began invading the area. Tuscany was lucky in a sense that it did not suffer any serious damage, making the cities in the Tuscan region flourish.

During the 13th century, Florence became the governing power in the region. Many people from all over the world began visiting the city.

By the 16th century Florence became a principality under the reign of the Medici family.

By 1860, Tuscany became a part of united Italy with Florence becoming the temporary capital of Italy from 1865 to 1871.

Today, Tuscany has grown wealthy and is a major cultural center which attracts many tourists every year.

Before embarking on a trip to Tuscany, you should first see to it that you have the proper documentation to enter Italy. This could easily be arranged with your tour operator or by proceeding to the nearest Italian embassy. The ideal time for you to travel to Tuscany is in May, September or October. The weather during this time is mild and the surroundings are very beautiful at this time of the year making it perfect for touring.

Once you have the proper documents, you can enter Tuscany via their 2 international airports namely the Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa and the Amerigo Vespucci Airport in Florence.

While in Tuscany, your tour would probably start in Florence. There are a lot of historical sites in this city. Brunelleschi’s Dome on the Duomo is a popular site visited by crowds of tourists. There are attractive architecture in this city, renaissance palaces and the famous bridge, Ponte Vecchio. Paintings done by masters are displayed in the numerous museums and galleries of the city.

A visit to Siena is spell binding. The place has lots of Gothic buildings which include churches and palaces. Europe’s best preserved medieval towns are located in this area. Imagine this; place of winding street, soft red brick houses, swaying terra cotta roofs. This is what Siena is all about and you would really enjoy this place.

In Pisa, the world famous Leaning Tower of Pisa is what tourists visit first. Aside from this, there are lots of buildings with great architecture to admire. It would definitely remind you of the Pisa of long ago when it was the world’s richest port.

There are a whole lot more places to discover in Tuscany which would delight you. Make sure not to rush form one place to another while in Tuscany. Take it slow and soon you will realize that this place is a beautiful land blessed by Mother Nature.

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Holiday in Tuscany, Italy: The Chianti Region

August 16th, 2010

Chianti is the name of the region while its name has become synonymous with wines. The region is replete with lots of exotic wines made with fruits and grapes from some of the world’s best vineyards. Italy has benefited directly from the revenues of this small but powerful region that holds the first of the best global winepresses so much that it has become an irresistible Mecca for all sorts of visitors around the world. There are affordable, all-inclusive packages given away to those who wish to make it down to the Chianti Region for their next holiday vacation. Several tour packages are available for every preference. They include walking, biking and riding tours which all allow the tourists and vacationers to enjoy the very best of their holiday outing in Tuscany. If you are looking to book for an accommodation in Tuscany, such as a 1st class hotel or a farmhouse, you can’t miss out as there are quite a number of luxury lodges and Tuscany villas for rent. If you are going with your family members, what you should be searching for are apartments that will comfortably accommodate everybody but still running on a low budget. Although there is no hiding the fact that staying at any of the five-star hotels is an incomparable and exhilarating experience that measures up to the amount spent.

Those staying in these high flying hotels are people who are used to the fabulous lifestyles of the rich and famous. As such, their class has been adequately taken care of with the perfect hotel accommodation befitting of their status. So if you are visiting the town on vacation, alone or with your lover or spouse; you can be sure to find the best place to rest. There are various places for the lodging pleasure of visitors to the Chianti Region. From the rolling hills to the tumbling valleys, what characterize the region of Chianti are more than one. Chianti which lies strategically between Florence and Siena is a one-stop spot for wine buffs so that there is a growing need to visit the region regularly for those who have made it their priorities. Chianti is lined up by spreads of vineyards, olive groves and woods which are interspersed with other features especially the ancient buildings like parishes, holiday farmhouses, villas and villages. The Tuscan wine destination is very popular for its global wine production which sits atop the world’s best five. One of the places of interest is the Chianti Classico; an admixture of white and red grapes.

A wide holiday tour of the Chianti region will be more than pleasing for anyone with a thing for wines. More revealing are the Tuscan villas which carry lots of interesting and beautiful scenes. For a proper sightseeing tour of the region, bicycles or strolls will be sufficient to view the places round the area. One could avail the opportunity of staying in one of the Chianti Tuscany villas, thus having a thorough insight into its cultural values. Whatever the type of tour you wish to take, taking a Chianti vacation will provide you with a perfect way to discover many interesting places in the tourist-friendly and wine producing region. The region remains the best option for a lot of activities like shopping. That is because it plays host to an array of quality items especially Italian leather goods. Those who are interested in these leather items would discover Greve to be a traditional shopping hotspot for fine leather stuff which eventually find their way to some of the world’s top supermarkets. Greve is the main market of the Chianti Classico wine zone of Tuscany. It consists of a large part of the hilly territory between Florence and Sienna.

Italian shoppers would find Chianti to be such a wonderful place for buying Italian-designed goods. Dining out in Chianti during vacation needs a lot of Italian cuisines spread out. Some of these include braised boar, grilled beef steak or rabbit and soup made with virgin olive oil. The Chianti Classico wine helped to increase the Tuscan region’s popularity in terms of its unique foods and wines; making it a plus to the credit of this small wine-making destination. At the heart of the Chianti region is a triangular-patterned shape of three villages – Radda, Greve and Castellina. Chianti’s wine fair, held at Greve, is the biggest and normally takes place in September. Anyone on vacation in Chianti is offered many chances of buying from its export market together with the wine shops in each village. A stroll around the Chianti Villa means taking enough opportunity to move round Colle di Val d’Elsa — an ancient town that is Italy’s largest producer of fine glass and crystal. During an excursion to the Monte San Michele National Park or at Badia Lake, you can also give yourself the opportunity of getting a first hand experience of nature while relaxation there.

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Vacation to Italy and Get a Major Dose of History

August 16th, 2010

Known for its food, wine, people, culture, music, countryside and even the mafia – Italy happens to be one of the most sought after holiday destinations in the world.

Italy is where culture, history and traditions blend beautifully with modernity and fashion. What is interesting about Italy is that you will never find a single Italian flag, but they are still very particular about their culture and traditions – and of course soccer.

Whether your vacationing to Florence, Rome, Naples, Milan, or Venice your stay will be well worth the flight. Italy boasts several 5 star resort hotels that accommodate to every need you could imagine.

Italians are considered to be one of the best-looking people in the world. They are very proud of their past, their culture and for them it is all about family. Italians are very sociable.

They are friendly and will talk to anyone, what’s most appealing about them is their sense of good humor and wit. In Italy you will hear the various kinds of dialects and accents of Italian, which sound so melodious to the ear.

Italians have an ongoing love affair with food and fashion. The Italian food is famous worldwide and is a gastronomical to all the senses. Fashion is a very important part of the Italian culture, after all Milan is the fashion capital of the world, where haute couture is the word most heard.

Northern Italy is more educated, hectic and fast paced, where as South of Italy is rural and laidback. People in Italy love spending money on their expensive attire, be it clothes, watches, shoes, jewelry or their fast cars.

If you want to be understood in Italy, you will have to rely on your English-Italian dictionary or your gesturing skills, because English is not spoken or understood by many people there.

People in Italy have a gastronomical affair with food. Eating is a passion and an integral part of the culture in Italy. So when you are in Italy, expect to add a few pounds to your frame.

Italian food finds it roots back to different regions and is influenced by various factors. If you are looking for healthy and cheaper food, then you must venture into South Italy.

The world famous and supremely popular Pizza was born in Campania along with tubular pizza and the various tomato based pizza and pasta sauces. Even if you are one of those few people who do not like pizzas, you should try one.

The reason the Italian pizzas are popular is because of its simplicity and its fresh ingredients. Pizza margherita is the most popular pizza in Italy named after Queen Margherita.

If you are looking for food with Greek influence with figs, honey, aubergine and aromatic spices, then Calabria is the place to go. Sicily will give you mouthwatering, finger-licking desserts like cannoli, sweet cheese, chocolate and cassata pastries. And Italian ice-cream Gelato is oh so popular.

A typical Italian dinner would consist of an appetizer or an antipasto like bruschetta which is a type of herbed and spiced garlic bread; prosciutto which is cured ham and melon.

The primo piatto, which is the first main course, is usually a soup or pasta; the second piatto will have meat, chicken or fish with contorno, which is vegetable. The meal is then ended with dessert, fruits and coffee.

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More Popular Holiday Destinations For Thought

August 14th, 2010

Popular holiday destinations for thought are Florence, Rome and Venice. Venice is a place for love and romance. Try to visit during the summer and not the fall when it seems to be the flood season. You cannot do much with the heavy downpours and flooding. The accommodations around Riatto Bridge are great for accessing many different attractions you will want to see. You will find cafes and fine dining restaurants in this area as well. If romance is what you are looking for, you will want to take the gondola ride at night. The city lights are beautiful and set the pace for romance.

Add Rome to your list of popular holiday destinations. Visit during the spring or fall and the weather will be just right. The summers are hot, but are still enjoyable. Christmas time is a time of year that is very popular for visitors and the city can be very crowded during christmas. You can join in the mass on Christmas Eve at the Vatican Square. You will need to book this reservation as soon as you have your flight reservations since it does fill up quickly. The restaurants are amazing. The chef will come out to see if your meal is everything you wanted. It is a special place to go.

In Rome, you can enjoy the Vatican City is one place you must see. Try to make during the early afternoon to enjoy the full beauty of the city. Shopping is another thing you will want to do while visiting. It is just amazing all the shops and things you will find to buy. Have enough money planned for your shopping adventures. You will enjoy a stay in Rome and see so many things that you have only read about in books. Popular cheap holiday destinations are full of excitement, even in Rome.

Florence is the other popular cheap holiday destination. It is a beautiful city with many attractions to keep you busy. Visit Florence in the spring when all the gardens are starting to flourish. You can sit outside on a warm day and enjoy the scenery where as in the summer it is hot. There are many things to so and see that you could be inside all day long if you want. The museums and galleries are just extraordinary. If you are looking for a special place to take the family for some history and culture, Florence is the place to go and have fun.

The restaurants are something to talk about in Florence. You can fine different types of cuisine and the cafes are great for a day meal while sitting outside enjoying the weather. Shopping and sightseeing is the top of the list for this popular holiday destination. The parks are beautiful and the scenery is amazing. You can spend an entire day sitting in a park and feel as if you have seen something new every minute you are there. You will find that these locations are great for planning a family vacation to and everyone will find something to intrigue them.

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