New York Minute

Categories: Accommodations · Architecture · New York · Travel · USATags: · · ·

Well, it was more than a minute – closer to 5,700 minutes or an extended long weekend – of food debauchery in the gastronomic capital of New York City. What brought me here this time (not that one needs an excuse to be in this city) was primarily a reunion with dear friends from the old University days. Stories were told, bottles of wine were consumed and laughter all around while we reminisce and remember how we have always enjoyed each other’s company. [The food debauchery will be detailed in the next post.] I tried out a different hotel for this trip,…

Musei Vaticani

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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.  

Vatican

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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…

Ciao Roma

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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.

Basilicas

Categories: Architecture · Art · Florence · Italy · TravelTags: · · · · · ·

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…

Tutto Bene

Categories: Architecture · Art · Florence · Italy · TravelTags: · · · · · 1 Comment

“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…

New York

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I’m in New York for three days.   For this trip, I stayed at Hyatt 48 Lex and was pleasantly surprised. This 3-year old hotel is not like the other standard flagged hotels. It is more of a boutique-hotel set up with only six rooms per floor and several original artwork throughout. There is a compact lobby on the ground level and a more comfortable lounge on the second floor.  One cannot complain much for a decently-priced hotel room located in midtown Manhattan.