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Traveler Destination Scorecard
A panel of travel experts from the National Geographic Society's Center for Sustainable Destinations recently measured the worlds' most iconic and celebrated travel destinations on how well they have weathered the pressures of mass tourism.
437 well-traveled experts rated 133 world travel sites on their ability to retain a sense of place, remaining relatively unspoiled in the face of mounting threats to their environment and culture. Tuscany, Italy was rated as a Place Doing Well stating that "If there is a region in Europe that exemplifies the exact mixture of natural and cultural heritage with harmony and beauty, it is Tuscany. No place else has this harmonious mix between landscape, monuments, and cities".
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The Beautiful and Famous Daughter of Rome
If the pater noster of Italy is Rome, than Florence in Tuscany  is assuredly its beautiful and famous daughter. Listed by Travel and Leisure Magazine as
one of the Best Cities in the World for the collective experience of travelers, Florence is definitely on the A-list of desirable world travel destinations. The paparazzi have been following Rome's famous daughter around since the 1200's when Florence became a leading economic city in Tuscany and never looked back. In the 15th century, the powerful and influential Medici created a dynasty that would define the history and culture of Florence for the next two and a half centuries. Their passion for the arts, literature and learning created an intellectual and economic rebirth with larger than life personalities. Florence and the Medici ate, drank and made merry and some would say led Italy into the Renaissance.
The larger than life personality of Florence attracts an entourage of followers. Here is a brief introduction to Florence and a link to a web site from the Department of Florence Tourism and Fashion that combines sites, maps and shopping for a multi-dimensional view of the city.
- San Giovanni District which has the highest concentration of art per square meter on the planet
- The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore with Brunelleschi's Dome, Ghiberti's Baptistery and Giotto's Tower
- The Medici Chapel in the Basilica of San Lorenzo
- San Lorenzo Market
- The Museums of Florence inlcuding the Galleria degli Uffizi, Accademia and Bargello
- Crossing the Arno River over the Ponte Vecchio
- Piazza Michelangelo for a panoramic view of the city
- The Oltrarno (other side of the Arno) to visit the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
Then motor out to the "burbs" to spend time in the countryside to visit the walled medieval villages, Medici villas, vineyards, orchards and people of Tuscany. |
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Editor's Note
I'm happy to know that one of our favorite regions to see and savor Italy is doing well. I first traveled to Tuscany in 1999 on a road with with our Italian cousins from Milan. It took me 5 trips to Florence before I began to understand, experience and appreciate the true beauty of this remarkable city. So choose to see what you can of Florence then you will return to see more. After all Dante called Florence the "beautiful and famous daughter of Rome" and as you know Rome wasn't built in a day.
Divertiti!
Pamela Marasco
If you have a taste for Italy join us on our
Seeing and Savoring Italy Fall Trip to Milano,the Bolognese Hills and Tuscany in October.
Limited to 6 travelers.
$100.00 discount for Cositutti Newsletter Subscribers.
Additional discounts available for a group of 6 people traveling together.
For more information go to Italy Taste and Travel or contact eric@cositutti.com
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