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The Real Da Vinci Code: What Really Happened at Leonardo’s Last Supper

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

The Real Da Vinci Code, Leonardo’s Vitruvian Man, indicates Da Vinci’s hidden double meaning of his Last Supper: The Sacrifice and the Resurrection

This account is respectful of Christian beliefs. I wish to modify this account as I learn more. I would like to credit Leo Steinberg, author of “Leonardo’s Incessant Last Supper” for several ideas in this article.

Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man (the Da Vinci Man with four arms and four legs in a square and circle) is the most popular secular symbol in the world. My ten years of research suggests that the Vitruvian Man is a universal symbol for greater love, relationships, success, health and the new age 21st century paradigm of indivisible wholeness, the paradigm for world peace. The New Renaissance!

The Da Vinci Person also represents an integration of opposite values. Da Vinci’s Last Supper represents an integration of the two events of the Last Supper: Both the Betrayal of Jesus (the shock) and the Redemption (the awe, communion or Eucharist). Amazingly, Leonardo is able to portray both of these events, simultaneously, in the emotions of the Apostles; just like the Da Vinci Man is able to portray two opposite values, the square (our sacrifice in the material realm) and the circle (our renaissance or rebirth in the spiritual realm).

The Da Vinci Man with arms outspread symbolizes the sacrifice (the Betrayal). Da Vinci Man with arms uplifted symbolizes the Resurrection (the communion).

Hence,(a) the geometry, and (b) the meaning of the Da Vinci Man is a secret code to understand the meaning of Leonardo’s Last Supper.

1) There is a claim in The Da Vinci Code that there is no Holy Grail or cup through which Jesus offered the communion. On the contrary, Jesus and each Apostle have a small cup of wine.

2) The cup is small and not an ostentatious or grandiose goblet because Leonardo wanted to represent the Last Supper as a simple affair. This is equivalent to the simple dining used by the Dominicans in the refectory (dining hall) of Santa Marie delle Grazie, Milan, the location of Da Vinci’s Last Supper. This church, incidentally, was partially built by Bramante, the designer of Saint Peter’s Basilica. Bramante adored Leonardo’s work and wrote poems about him.

3) The simple cups and tableware, similar to those used by the Dominican Friars, fulfilled the desire of Jesus to “always be among you.” The Dominican Friars could, therefore, feel they were dining along with Jesus and the Apostles.

4) The expressions of the Apostles not only represent one of shock over the announcement by Jesus of the betrayal, they also demonstrate an awe and acceptance of the communion.

5) To the left of Jesus we have two groupings of three: St Thomas, James the Major and Philip represent one group. Matthew, Thaddeus and Simon represent the other.

6) Thomas, James and Philip are grouped together because they were the favorite apostles of Florence, Leonardo’s home for several years.

7) Thaddeus and Simon confer together because they are brothers who were present as shepherds at the birth of Jesus.

8) Thomas, the impulsive one, moves ahead of James the Major with his finger in the air. When Thomas heard Jesus was going back to Jerusalem he said, “Let us go, that we may die with Him.” His uplifted finger says, “This is the Will of God,” and “I knew it would be so.” It is also the finger that touches the wound of Jesus.

9) James the Major’s mouth is open in shock, but also in awe, receptive to the communion.

10) Philip places his hands on his breast to protest his innocence and display his anguish, but this is also a sign of accepting the communion.

11) Matthew’s hands point to Jesus in asking Simon what to make of the announcement by Jesus but they are also receptive of the communion.

12) One hand of Thaddeus points to the betrayer but both hands are also receptive of the communion.

13) Simon’s two hands indicate a sense of not knowing what to make of the announcement but they are also receptive of the communion.

14) One hand of Jesus is open, receptive of the surrender. The other hand of Jesus points to the wine and bread, announcing an intention to begin the communion.

15) The same hand is close to the dipping bowl, close to where the hand of Judas is, indicating who the betrayer is. This hand also reflects the human side of Jesus, recoiling a bit from both the Betrayal and the sacrifice. (”Let this cup pass from me,” just as the other hand indicates the surrender, “Thy Will be done.”)

16) The body of Jesus forms an equilateral triangle, indicating the Holy Trinity. His hands seem to reach out in three dimensions to the participants viewing the painting.

17) James the Major is on the left side of Jesus and John is on His right. This is because they are brothers. Their mother requested that one sit on the right side of Jesus and the other on His left, where they are the thunder of Jesus.

18) John leans back in a faint, accepting the fate of Jesus, yet folding his hands in quiet desperation.

19) The body of John is at the same angle as Jesus, as if in mirror image, indicating the closeness of their relationship. This is also reflected in the mirror-image color of their clothing.

20) John is next to Peter because they shared a ministry together.

21) Peter is next to Judas because they both evidenced a betrayal.

22) Peter whispers into John’s ear, asking him to ask Jesus who the betrayer is.

23) Peter holds a knife behind the back of Judas with which to possibly dispatch the betrayer (as he attempted to do when cutting off the ear of the Roman servant). A close examination indicates that Peter may actually be holding the wrist of a hand that holds the knife. The knife is also symbolic of the one Peter used to protect Jesus.

24) The same knife points to Bartholomew sitting at the table’s end. Bartholomew also rises with his feet transposed. These symbols indicate both the flaying and crucifixion of Bartholomew.

25) Bartholomew asks Andrew to explain what is going on. Andrew is in so much shock, he is in denial that such a betrayal could possibly happen. He may also be reacting to the knife pointed at Judas.

26) James the Minor, the brother or cousin of Jesus, touches Peter, reminding us that James and Peter were the first two Bishops of the church.

27) Leonardo Da Vinci was inclined to choose the act of betrayal. He felt betrayed many times in his career by people who envied him. He may have even been jailed for two months as a result of charges (that were dropped).

The Following is Speculative and I Wish to Modify It as I Learn More:
28) Another interpretation: the Last Supper was painted in the refectory (dining hall) of the Dominican Friars who venerated Mother Mary. The church, Santa Maria delle Grazie, was named in Mary’s honor. St. Dominic initiated the Rosary, which is still practiced today. The Rosary was highly regarded and recommended by Pope John Paul II. From the Dominican point of view, if there were to be any association with John, it would have been with Mother Mary.

29) John was also more associated with Mother Mary than Mary Magdalene. On the cross, Jesus told John to accept Mary as his mother (and take care of her, which he apparently did). This was also an instruction for all the Apostles to take care of Mary.

30) Mary is associated with Holy Spirit. Mary gave birth to Jesus via Holy Spirit.

31) In the Rosary, Mary is the Bride of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is married to the church, which is associated with Mary.

32) The Apostles stayed in the house of Mary for ten days before the Holy Spirit entered into them.

33) Therefore, the illustration may represent a mystical union between Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

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Florence, Italy…a Must See for the First-time Visitor to Italy

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

If I were to pick one city as a definite must-see for the first time traveler to Italy, my choice would be Florence. Since the birth of the Renaissance, Florence has retained its standing as a center of art and culture. It has also become renowned for high fashion (excellent leather and silk goods), great cuisine, beautiful parks, tourism and, of course, friendly and warm people. Located in the heart of the central region of Tuscany, Florence is situated in a valley surrounded by rolling Tuscan hills. It is about a three-hour train ride north of Rome and 1 hour from Pisa.

Home to many great prominent figures (Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarotti, Dante Allighieri, Niccolo’ Machiavelli), their legacies can be seen all over town. In the Academy Art Gallery one can see Michaelangelo’s famous Statue of David, completed by the sculptor at age 26 after others had rejected the marble block because of its imperfections. According to the bible, David represents an Israelite shepherd boy who emerged victorious in an improbable battle against the mighty Goliath. In the Uffizzi Galleries, Europe’s third largest museum, one can see Sandro Botticelli’s masterpiece “Birth of Venus”.

The city has an excellent bus system, and it is also very easy to get around on foot. A great place for a stroll is along the Ponte Vecchio, or the “Old Bridge.” This is the oldest of all the bridges in Florence and may even date back to Etruscan times. It has undergone many repairs through the centuries. It has even been the source of controversy. During one of the World Wars, a German general defied orders to bomb the bridge because he thought it was so beautiful. Previously, the bridge was aligned with butcher shops. Today, however, the only merchants allowed on the bridge are jewelers. It is one of the social points in town where you can window shop and watch artists as they sketch.

Another great place to shop is along Via Tornabuoni. Here you can find various boutiques and fashion giants as Armani, Versace, Fendi and Gucci. Florence also has many open markets where you can find some excellent leather and silk bargains. Some of the better markets include the market of San Lorenzo and the market in the Parco delle Cascine.

Florence is also noted for its excellent cuisine and sinfully delicious desserts and gelati (ice cream). Many fine restaurants can be found in town. You must not leave the city without trying some risotto, a Florentine specialty. Another specialty, believe it or not, is beefsteak. You can, of course, find excellent pasta dishes as you would in other parts of Italy. Because Tuscany is in the heart of the Chianti region, there is always an excellent selection of wines to savor.

Just South of the Arno River lies the Boboli Gardens, once an estate of a feudal king; it is one of the most beautiful parks in all of Europe. It is over 100 acres of beautifully manicured landscape and walking paths aligned with trees. There is even a Roman amphitheater, which in the summer is used for theatrical plays. Walking up to the top of the hill offers a great panoramic view of the city.

In summary, Florence has everything you are looking for in an Italian vacation: great food, great art and great people. It doesn’t take long for the city’s charm to capture your heart and spirit. With half a million inhabitants, it does not overwhelm you like a city such as Rome or Milan (each of which has approximately 4 million people).

I believe Charles Dickens said it best in the “Pictures of Italy” when he wrote “how much beauty is here, when, on a fair clear morning, we look, from the summit of a hill, on Florence! See where it lies before us in a sun-lighted valley, bright with the winding Arno, and shut in by swelling hills; its domes, and towers, and palaces, rising from the rich country in a glittering heap, and shining in the sun like gold!”

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How to find out if youre a restaurantaholic

Sunday, 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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A lovely holiday in Florence and northern Italy

Sunday, 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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Holiday in Tuscany, Italy: The Chianti Region

Monday, 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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More Popular Holiday Destinations For Thought

Saturday, 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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Annual events: Renaissance Faire, Florence, Alabama

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

Why not take a step back in time and attend the South’s popular Renaissance Faire? The setting: Florence, Alabama’s lovely Wilson Park which is renamed Fountain-on-the-Green for this event. The backdrop: nature’s own colorful autumn theme with blue skies and balmy weather.

Every October, on the last Saturday and Sunday of the month, the city of Florence, Alabama comes alive in the spirit of the Renaissance era. The popular two-day event draws up to 40,000 visitors and is noted as one of the top-20 sites in the Southeast.

Park your car and mingle with colorful jesters in tights and face paint. Their juggling skills will astound you. Hear period-style minstrels, who wander the lawns with their pipes and lutes. Their music sets the tone for a Renaissance experience you’ll never forget.

Around the fringes of the park, vendors hawk wares from booths where you can find just about anything – including food, jewelry, arts and crafts – also in tune with the era. You’ll think you’ve turned down a lane and discovered an open-air market of the period.

Be sure to grab your camera when various knights, wearing full coats of mail, begin jousting on the lawn. Forming a tight circle around them are ladies in regale gowns and other onlookers who wear the earthy, plainer garb of townsfolk from that era. A collective sigh goes up when their favorite knight goes down.

The main highlight, however, is the final wrap-up of the event: the popular Renaissance Feast. According to the faire’s official website, the event is held in “a very-baronial hall” and is complete with food and entertainment that hark back to the Renaissance period. Guests often bring their own tablecloth, candelabra and tableware (as Renaissance guests did when attending a feast), but they are not required to do so.

Visitors to the Renaissance Faire are encouraged to dress for the occasion and are even assisted if they wish to do so. The first two Saturdays of October, the Renaissance Faire hosts a costume-making class at the Kennedy Douglass Arts Center in Florence. Anyone wishing to attend the event in period dress is welcome to bring their choice of fabric – in either royal or simple hues – and local seamstresses will sew their costume while they wait.

Other preparatory events include musical programs, public lectures, dramatic performances, art exhibits and dance programs. All of these are of the highest quality and serve to set the mood for the upcoming Renaissance Faire*.

Renaissance Month (October) has been officially designated by the local government in Florence, Alabama. Brochures which promote Florence as the “Renaissance City” have been published and are widely-circulated throughout the region.

Begun in 1987, the Renaissance Faire has developed into a major tourist event and has been named one of the top 20 sites in the Southeast. It’s a step back in time you and your family won’t want to miss.

* information – http://www.alarenfaire.org/

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Biography: Florence Nightingale

Monday, July 26th, 2010

She walked the halls of the hospital at night carrying a lamp. The wounded and hurting soldiers welcomed her comforting care and concern. They called her “The Lady with the Lamp”and her name was Florence Nightingale

Florence Nightingale was born in Florence, Italy, in 1820. Later she moved with her mother, father and sister back to their home in England. As a little child, she loved to play nurse with her dolls. Visiting babies to the Nightingale household were her special concern and delight. Florence even nursed back to health an old shepherd’s dog who had broken his leg and was to be shot.

When she was sixteen, she heard God speaking to her and calling her to His service. Although her family was very rich, and Florence could have beautiful clothes, many parties, and anything else she wanted, she decided to be a nurse and in this way help other people.

It was unheard of in those days for a rich young girl to work in a hospital, so her mother would not allow her to do this. But Florence was strong in her desire to change the unclean and disreputable conditions in the hospitals, and make the nurse a dignified and respected person. When she was twenty-three, she was allowed to enter a school of nursing, the Kaiserswerth Motherhouse of Deaconnesses in Germany.

Ten years later, in 1854, Florence was asked by the British Secretary of War to take charge of caring for wounded British soldiers from the Crimea War which was being fought between Great Britain and Russia. She and thirty-eight nurses sailed for the Crimea and stepped ashore in the mud of Scutari, by Istanbul, Turkey.

Five hundred wounded soldiers had just arrived and Florence’s hospital was a huge empty dirty old Turkish barracks. The wounded bleeding men lay on the floors.

Medical supplies, food and bedding had not arrived, but Florence began immediately to organize the cleaning up of the place. She set up nursing schedules and kitchen work with the supplies that were available. She worked tirelessly by day and her lamp shown brightly as she walked the four miles of hospital corridors at night.

The soldiers improved under her care and when they were well enough, she set up classes for them to learn to read and write, as many were illiterate.

This was the first time in history that wounded soldiers away from home received good hospital care. Praise for Florence Nightingale came from Queen Victoria of England and from all over the world. Florence was given charge

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A Quick Guide To Tuscany

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Tuscany has long been a favourite destination for anyone looking for an authentic Italian experience.

Where is it?

Tuscany is a large area in central Italy that stretches to the Mediterranean coast. It is divided into ten provinces, which include some of Italy’s most beautiful towns and cities; Florence, Siena and Pisa.

Where can I stay?

Many people choose to stay in villas when they visit Tuscany, preferring the independence of self-catering to the routine of a hotel. The next time you consider visiting Tuscany, take a look at the benefits of a boutique hotel. Giving you the comfort and service of a regular hotel, but with a home-from-home atmosphere and service that anticipates your every need, you can come and go as you please without having to worry about making beds or shopping for food. In fact, when you stay at a boutique hotel, all you have to think about is where your next luxury is coming from.

Try the JK Palace in Florence for a taste of city boutique. With only 20 rooms, it’s like having your own home in the Piazza Santa Maria Novella and it’s the perfect place to return to after a hard day sightseeing. “Boutique” doesn’t always mean tiny – for a hotel that’s a magnificent rural retreat, the Villa Mangiacane is set in 300 hectares of olive groves, vineyard and forest and the view from the pool means that you’ll be hard-pressed to leave the villa at all.

What can I see?

Take a tour to the vineyards and sample classic Tuscan wines such as Chianti and Montepulciano, or visit olive groves and buy pressed olive oil to take home. Tuscany, its towns and cities are full of beautiful Renaissance architecture and the art here rivals that of Venice and Rome. If you’re not staying in Florence, then you should certainly take the time to visit the city during your stay. A busy, chic city, full of amazing architecture, priceless art, great shopping and fantastic dining, Florence is captivating and many visitors return here for short breaks or special events. Tuscany is full of contrasts and you could holiday here for several years in a row without visiting the same place twice.

How do I get around?

How you choose to travel in Tuscany largely depends on where you’re staying. If you’ve chosen a city location, then it will be easier for you to use public transport or just walk to get around, as hiring a car may be expensive and the roads too busy for stress-free driving. On the other hand, if you’ve chosen a boutique hotel in a rural location, you should think about hiring a car so that you can travel round the countryside or take a day-trip to one of the cities. The Italian public transport system is well-used by locals, and you can travel between cities and towns on the train or on buses, which give you the opportunity to gaze at the glorious countryside.

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A look at Leonardo da Vincis personal life

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

Considering that the great man died nearly 500 years ago, there is still a wealth of information and controversy about Leonardo’s personal life. The many mysteries of his work and everyday activities still persist, and other than his painting masterpieces and his genius for inventions, that is what continues to make him one of the towering figures in world history.

His beginnings showed no promise of what his life would become. Leonardo was the illegitimate result of a liaison between a wealthy Florentine attorney, Piero, and a teenage peasant girl, Caterina. The girl, a native of the Italian town of Vinci, gave birth secretly to the boy in 1452 at a midwife’s home in Anchiano. His father later claimed the child from what would have been a life of poverty, named him Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci, and raised and tutored him at home.

Additionally, considering the enormous store of knowledge and intelligence Leonardo accumulated and exhibited throughout his life, he was undoubtedly a genius at quick study. As a boy, his insatiable need for knowledge found him at every spare moment experimenting and delving into everything. He studied the Bible, Greek classics, Roman philosophers, was fascinated by early inventor Archimedes, and absorbed all the mechanical and military lore available in his time.

After a short apprenticeship to artists in Florence, he began to receive lucrative commissions from such noblemen as Lorenzo di Medici and Ludovico Sforza, the Duke of Milan. Leonardo spent nearly 20 years completing projects for his Milan patron, but also later did many other works in Florence, Rome and Paris.

In addition to paintings and murals he created for the Duke, he was also commissioned by his patron, who was often at war with surrounding Italian independent states, to design weapons. Later he become military engineer for the commander of the armies of Pope Leo X. When French invaders occupied Milan, Leonardo continued his engineering work for his new patron, the King of France.

Many of the Da Vinci military drawings that have survived to be studied by modern experts show his unusually brilliant concepts of what were to become wheeled artillery, underwater diving gear, a pedal-powered tank, parachutes and the helicopter.

What many consider his masterpiece to be, “The Last Supper”. It was an enormous mural, 15 by 29 feet, painted for the Duke from the year 1495 to 1499 on the dining room wall of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan.

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