Replica of Michelangelo's David
by codrutz
Michelangelo's David is one of the most impressive sculptures in the world, if not the most perfect (along with the Pieta). Sculpted in just 3 years(!) by the great italian sculptor, the larger than life (5,17 meters!) high statue, represents the Biblical King David at the moment he decides to battle with Goliath. It came to represent the Florentine Republic, threatened by rival states.
The David statue in front of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence is a replica - and one of the worst replica (from the multitude of replicas) I can say. The original David is hosted since 1873 by the Accademia di Belle Arti Firenze. There are major differences in any part of David's body. Just comparing the faces you can see the sculptor did not tried at all to make a full resemblance.
A true hidden gem restaurant
by nilsenth
La Bottega del Buon Caffe' on Via A. Pacinotti 42, 20 minutes walk from the city square.
The Gasbarro brothers have made this 24 seats only restaurant into a true gastronomic experience. Everything they serve is made from scratch with the best of ingredients available.
If you are looking for a truly authentic Tuscan experience far away from the tourist trodden streets, seek out this intimate, cozy and great service gourmet restaurant. Recommended by several visiting chefs from all over Europe!
We paid 55 Euro for a 4 hour gastronomic feast with wine and dessert
San Lorenzo Market Shopping Made Quick and Easy
by Jacqueli about San Lorenzo Market
After just returning from "beautiful" Florence I would say that San Lorenzo market is a convenient and fun way to shop in Italy. It is reasonably priced and one of the best deals out of all of the places that I visited in Italy. We were in Pisa (good leather prices but seedy people). Rome didn't have that much shopping and it was not cheap. The only thing about San Lorenzo market that I was surprised about was that the vendors are not all so quick to bargain with you. If you like something and they will not come down in price then GO TO ANOTHER VENDOR NEXT DOOR WHO WILL HAVE THE SAME THING AND WHO WILL BARGAIN WITH YOU. Once you say that you will pay in cash they should cut the price at least 2 Euros. If not, go somewhere else. There are so many vendors that you will find the item and price that you want. In Florence at San Lorenzo Market I would purchase leather gloves, pocketbooks, scarves (pashminas), silk ties, belts, and shoes. The jewelry (if you are from New York and go to Canal Street) is not a good deal. they sell most of it on the Ponte Vecchio bridge and it is not cheap. Wine is also a good deal. U.S. citizens can only bring home 1 or 2 bottles. So drink it while you are there. The Chianti is great and because it is so fresh there are no preservatives so you will not get a headache. It is also a great deal. 4 or 5 euros will buy you a great bottle of Chianti!!!!! Gloves with a cashmire lining should cost no more than 20 to 25 Euros. You may even get a better deal if you keep trying. Pashminas should cost about 15-20 Euros at San Lorenzo market. They have people selling them everywhere.
To Florence from Pisa
by m-joy
To get to Florence from Pisa or Pisa airport you have two possibilities: either the train, which departs at Pisa airport and the main station, or the bus – departure only at Pisa airport. Both cost 5 Euro, but the bus is much faster than the train. I recommend taking both for one way if you have to go back to see as much as possible of the countryside.
Train timetable at trainitalia.com, bus timetable only? at Pisa airport and Florence main station.
Excellent food
by Luke9 about Za Za
Ate here a couple of times on our trip the steaks and sauces were excellent, beer and wine were also good and reasonably priced.
Though the pizza is not the greatest in Florence. Pepper steak.
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Gate of Paradise
Ponte alla Carraia
A smoke break of some kind??
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