Florence is the capital of the region of Tuscany. It is obviously a very famous and touristy place and was my first time in the city, but I loved it much more than I thought I might. Yes it is touristy, and yes to an extent it is a living museum, but the place oozes class and culture and has a completely unique and individual vibe setting it apart from Venice and Rome.
The city was the birthplace of the Renaissance, and has produced an absolute wealth of cultural heritage in any field imaginable. The architecture is also fantastic, and the Duomo of Florence Cathedral literally took my breath away. But history aside the current inhabitants enjoy an enviable lifestyle, great weather, food and above all wine.
In my next life, I'd like to be reborn either as a cat or an Italian. Perhaps a cat in Italy.
Great tour, thanks.
Cats are treated really well in Italy, so being a cat in Italy would be a good thing.
To the OP: I was there in 2000, and it was crawling with tourists. But I loved every minute of it. We stayed in a cool little hotel (Hotel Alinari) near the train station. Each floor was a different hotel, some pretty scary and others really nice. The elevator was a little cage that you could barely get 2 people into. The building itself was probably at least a couple of hundred years old.
Great photos! Takes me back to when I was once there. In doing so I am reminded of two things through your pics. 1) Everyone, has the exact same shutters on their windows in that town. 2) Italians eat better then anyone else.
__________________
I'll make no subscription to your paradise.