“Back to Rome” after three years – I have returned to the former seat of power of the Roman Empire. This city is overflowing with iconic sights and architectural treasures that earn its name of the Eternal City. I am stopping by for a few days on my way to my main destination in Italy. It is never a chore to be in this living theatre.
“Eat and Sleep” Good food and good wine are plentiful in Italy. Even a simple pasta dish with just olive oil tastes extraordinary. Here are a few restaurants I tried — mostly recommended by friends and locals. Osteria Del Cinghiale Bianco (the White Boar) in Florence serves good reliable typical Tuscan cuisine. Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina is a quaint wine bar located across Palazzo Pitti that also serves traditional and modern Italian cuisine. They specialize in small production, high end wines. I was at Cibreo Trattoria when I last visited Florence 13 years ago and the experience was…
The astounding Sistine Chapel, the apartments frescoed by Fra Angelico, Raphael, and Pinturicchio, some ten museums that include collections of Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman antiquities, the renaissance and modern art, and the lush gardens — all make up the magnificent Musei Vaticani. Be prepared to be awestruck! It will take one at least two hours to see and appreciate many of the works. It is advisable to purchase your ticket online in advance to avoid the queues and it is usually less crowded by mid-afternoon.
The Vatican is the world’s smallest city-state covering just 120 acres and is home to the Pope, the world’s greatest museum, the ornate St. Peter’s Basilica, and the most astounding work of art ever created — Michelangelo‘s Sistine Chapel ceiling (where photography is now strictly prohibited). The Vatican is located in an area of Rome called Trastevere, which literally means “across the Tiber”. Castel Sant Angelo was the papal castle for 1,000 years and has a viaduct from the Vatican which allowed popes a safe passageway in times of crisis. St. Peter’s Basilica is the capital of Christendom and a must-see with its cavernous…
The elegant Piazza del Popolo in Rome started as a trapezoidal piazza in 1538 and contains a 3,200 year old obelisk from Heliopolis. Renaissance and Baroque art, architecture and sculpture can be found in the spectacular Santa Maria del Popolo church. Masters from the Early Renaissance (Pinturicchio, Bramante), High Renaissance (Raphael) and Baroque (Caravaggio, Bernini) exercised their genius in all disciplines here. Beyond the city walls is Rome‘s second largest church, the San Paolo fuori le Mura, over the spot where St. Paul was buried. For about 400 years, it was the largest church in Europe.
The Eternal City is a vast 3,000 year old indoor-outdoor museum. Rome continues to keep one in awe and inspired.
Just steps from Uffizi Gallery and right at Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio is a fortress palace that was the heart of political life in medieval Florence. Built between 1298 and 1314, it was renovated by Vasari in 1540.
The Cathedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, or commonly referred to as the duomo, is Florence‘s most iconic landmark. Designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, it’s construction took almost 150 years starting in 1296. The facade was designed by Emilio de Fabris and the dome by Filippo Brunelleschi. Basilica Santa Croce has an austere interior compared with its magnificent neo-gothic facade. Though some may come to see the tombs of Michaelangelo, Dante, Gallileo and Macchiavelli, the real highlights are the Giottto frescoes and the Brunelleschi‘-designed Capella de’ Pazzi. Founded in the 4th century, the Basilica di San Lorenzo is considered to…
“All is good“. Well, it is more than good! For serious art lovers, Florence is delightful and inspiring. I had to go back to my two favourite art institutions – the Uffizi Gallery and Galleria dell’Academia. Nothing beats making a reservation for both galleries in advance. For an extra 4EUR fee for each ticket, one gets to bypass the long queues. The Uffizi was uncrowded at 8:30 in the morning, which rewarded me with some serious solo time with the gallery’s masterpieces that included Boticelli’s Birth of Venus, Michaelangelo‘s Tondo Doni, and Piero della Francesca’s portraits of the Duke and Duchess…
I was in Florence for the first time in 2003 and I promised to return. Twelve years later, I am back and it remains a bellissima city!
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