The Medici Chapels are the mausoleum of the noble family that ruled the city of Florence and Tuscany for about three centuries (except for some brief interruptions). Who Were the Medici? The family was originally from the village of Cafaggiolo in the Mugello. Somewhere during the 12th ...

From the center of the town of Palazzuolo sul Senio, and a few meters from the holiday home the Torre del Vicario which guarded the "Via Fiorentina", you follow an ancient path that once connected Romagna with Tuscany (CAI 685). It climbs up the ridge leading ...

During the lockdown, especially the initial one last year, perhaps the most shocking part of it was the lack of human touch. We Italians, being a rather warm and affectionate people, felt this deeply. But sometimes the most beautiful things arise from the darkest moments ...

The medieval village of Palazzuolo sul Senio is located in the mountains outside of Florence known as the Upper Mugello region. This area is often referred to as the "Romagna Toscana" because geographically, historically, and culturally, it is very close to the Emilia-Romagna region, but ...

The symbol of Florence- the iris, il giglio, la fleur de lis- is blooming now at the Iris Garden (Giardino dell'Iris) in the heart of the Tuscan city. Witnessing the blooms is truly a wonder of Mother Nature. Under normal circumstances*, the gardens would be open between late April and ...

Really close to the Duomo in Florence and to Piazza della Repubblica, there is a little church called Santa Margherita dei Cerchi, one of the most ancient churches of the old town center. Named after Santa Margherita d'Antiochia (patroness of women in labor) and the Cerchi ...

Figline Valdarno is nestled in the green hills of Chianti in Tuscany and known for its well-known artists (such as Masaccio). This town is part of the municipality of Florence, but in recent years, it became part of Figline and Incisa Valdarno.  Collegiate Church of Santa ...

Most people don't know that the famous giant Sequoia trees native to California actually exist in other parts of the world. The largest specimen in Italy happens to be in a place called Sammezzano Park in Leccio (Reggello, province of Florence). Its castle is much ...

This article is geared toward the visitor that has possibly already been to Florence and elbowed and trekked his way through its top destinations (with blisters to prove it); or for the visitor looking for a different experience; or even for a local that has yet to stumble ...

In the heart of medieval Florence, south of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, we find Piazza della Signoria which for centuries has been the seat of political power. ©Diletta Masi Florence: the "Vertical" City Like all the other large squares in Florence, it is an ...