Romantic Florence

San Francisco, a bustling, cosmopolitan city in northern California, is the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its diverse ethnic and political communities, hilly terrain, world-class restaurants and scenic beauty.

It is the home of the ‘50s beat generation, the ‘60s flower power students, the ‘70s gay rights movement, the ‘80s culinary revolution and, of course, the ‘90s technology boom. Today, the city remains the epicenter for all things cyber and is on the leading edge of the sustainable food movement.  

Ride a cable car, walk across (or windsurf under) the Golden Gate Bridge, scribble poetry in a North Beach café, shop at the hip boutiques along Union Street, check out the latest exhibit at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, see an opera, then club-crawl through cyber-cool South of Market.

So much to see and do, it’s no wonder why Tony Bennett left his heart there.

Florence (Firenze in Italian) is the capital of the region of Tuscany in Italy. The epicenter of the Italian Renaissance, Florence remains a top destination for art lovers; it is a cultural and architectural gem, and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Located in the heart of Tuscany, a stunning province of hills and mountains, it has many famous sons like Leonardo, Dante, Machiavelli and Michelangelo.

Among the things you can’t afford to miss are the Uffizi Galleries, one of the best art museums in the world, the Duomo, the Santo Spirito church and the Ponte Vecchio. To get a great overview of the city, you have plenty of choices: climb the “Cupolone” of the Duomo or the Giotto Tower, head for Piazzale Michelangelo in Oltrarno (other side of river Arno) or farther up to the church of San Miniato.

Once an 18th-century noble palace, Grand Hotel Villa Medici is a first-rate property featured in the historical center of Florence, approximately six miles from Florence Airport. Local attractions include Santa Maria Novella Church, Via Tornabouni, Ponte Vecchio, Ufizzi Art Gallery, and Pitti Palace.Hotel amenities include room service, multilingual staff, 24-hour front desk, boutique, babysitting, private garage, limousine service, pool, piano bar, and the Fitness Club Sirenuse, which features sauna, steam bath, and gym. Onsite dining is available at the renovated Restaurant Lorenzo Di Medici, the Grill Lorenzino, and the Conservatory.Guest rooms feature A/C, bathrobes, hairdryers, satellite TVs, radios, direct-dial telephones, safes, and mini-bars.

Tratorria Omero has two large dining rooms serving authentic delicious Italian fare. The cuisine which is quintessentially Tuscan, is made from the freshest of seasonal ingredients. The choicest of meats, vegetables and oils go into the cooking process. Seated in the dining room, one can get a breathtaking view of the Tuscan countryside. Complement your meal with some delicious local wine; you have 200 varieties to pick from, which is quite a daunting task.

The Medici family reserved rooms for their prestigious collection during use of the gallery as magistrate's court in the 1700s. Made up of 40 rooms, the gallery contains works by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio and Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Primavera. Note the collection of Flemish, French, Dutch and German masters. The corridors, ceilings with splendid frescoes, are lined with Roman and 16th-century sculptures. By reservation, the Vasari Corridor above the Ponte Vecchio offers a link between Pitti Palace and Palazzo Vecchio. The Galleria houses 700 paintings including well-known self-portraits.

Since 1872, this traditional café-bar has served magnificent hot chocolate and exquisite cocktails and aperitifs to an appreciative public. In summer, order rolls, salads, light snacks and delicious home-made desserts to be enjoyed on its huge terrace opposite the Palazzo Vecchio in one of the city's most beautiful squares. This spot is the perfect place for people watching and stunning views of the artistic sculptures on the Piazza della Signoria. Although chocolate is the theme here, there is also coffee and wine available.

Inside this garden lies the Buontalenti grotto (1583-1593). Decorated with Mannerist-style scenes from Greek and Roman mythology, the grotto includes copies of Michelangelo's famous Slave series, the originals of which were transferred to the Galleria dell'Accademia. In the 17th Century, the garden was extended as far as the Porta Romana, adding the Vasca d'Isola (pond) at the centre with a fountain and a statue of Neptune. In the late 18th century, Zanobi del Rosso built the Kaffehaus pavilion. Admission: EUR 6 and includes entry to the Museo delle Porcellane, Galleria del Costume, Museo degli Argenti and the Museo e Galleria Mozzi Bardini.

Best known of all Florence's treasures, this glorious bridge was the only one of six spared by the retreating Germans on 4 August 1944. Over the centuries flooding unfortunately took its toll; few traces of the 10th-century bridge remain. Today's bridge, built in 1345, was filled with butcher's shops which would routinely discard the carcasses into the Arno causing quite a stench. Grand Duke Fernandino I issued an edict to replace the butchers with goldsmiths to eradicate the smell and gentrify royalty's route to Palazzo Pitti, reached via the Vasari Corridor that passes over the bridge. Also, do not padlock anything to the statue of Benvenuto Cellini, often practiced by lovers who padlock a lock to the gate of the statue and toss the key into the river - otherwise face a fine of EUR 50!

Tucked away in the heart of the historic district of Santa Croce, this beautifully kept restaurant's old-fashioned charm and flair for authentic local cuisine have made it a popular haunt of the rich and famous. Don't come here looking for basic dishes and ordinary meats: expect exotic cuts of various types of local wild game. Given a light new touch, revamped traditional fare features on its inspirational menu of starters, main courses and desserts. Great wine list too. If you're looking to save a bit, go around the corner to their trattoria Il Cibreino. The secret? Same menu, same kitchen, lower prices - it's just knowing which door to go through. Also within the same block are their Caffè and shop, and their Dinner Theatre. You're guaranteed a good time in this neighborhood if you venture over here for lunch or dinner.

San Miniato is one of the most striking examples of Florentine Romanesque architecture, characterized by its bicoloured white and green marble façade. The altar, pulpit and transept recess feature fine marble décor, while the floor, in keeping with the Romanesque style, is decorated with symbolic ornamental motifs. Halfway along the nave on the left is another chapel; the Cappella del Cardinale Portogallo, which was designed by one of Brunelleschi's pupils. The architectural and decorative style resembles one of Brunelleschi's first creations; the Sagrestia Vecchia (Old Sacristy), which can be seen in San Lorenzo church.

Renowned for its panoramic views of Florence and the Arno valley, this terrace is a popular spot with locals and tourists. Created as part of major restructuring of the city walls, Giuseppe Poggi's sumptuous terrace is typically 19th century. In 1871, Poggi designed a monument base dedicated to Michelangelo. The monument itself was to be composed of copies of Michelangelo's works, including David and the Medici chapel sculptures from San Lorenzo. When the terrace was finished, Poggi designed the hillside building, now a restaurant, as a museum for Michelangelo's works.

This simple but elegant trattoria is on the premises of an old 19th-century wine shop. It offers light food which is delicate in its flavors and elegantly presented. The atmosphere remains that of the old tavern. The furniture is original or has been faithfully reproduced. Service is very friendly and affable. The gastronomic menu comes from the Tuscan tradition enhanced by some new ingredients. Amongst the starters, there is the very good rice minestrone, the eel, the fish soup and the floured black cabbage. For the second course there is a choice of stewed duck, rabbit, quail or veal. Otherwise there is the fish from the cuisine of Elba. The desserts are all home-made and the Tuscan red wine cellar has some 150 different labels.

Once an 18th-century noble palace, Grand Hotel Villa Medici is a first-rate property featured in the historical center of Florence, approximately six miles from Florence Airport. Local attractions include Santa Maria Novella Church, Via Tornabouni, Ponte Vecchio, Ufizzi Art Gallery, and Pitti Palace.Hotel amenities include room service, multilingual staff, 24-hour front desk, boutique, babysitting, private garage, limousine service, pool, piano bar, and the Fitness Club Sirenuse, which features sauna, steam bath, and gym. Onsite dining is available at the renovated Restaurant Lorenzo Di Medici, the Grill Lorenzino, and the Conservatory.Guest rooms feature A/C, bathrobes, hairdryers, satellite TVs, radios, direct-dial telephones, safes, and mini-bars.

Florence (Firenze in Italian) is the capital of the region of Tuscany in Italy. The epicenter of the Italian Renaissance, Florence remains a top destination for art lovers; it is a cultural and architectural gem, and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Located in the heart of Tuscany, a stunning province of hills and mountains, it has many famous sons like Leonardo, Dante, Machiavelli and Michelangelo.

Among the things you can’t afford to miss are the Uffizi Galleries, one of the best art museums in the world, the Duomo, the Santo Spirito church and the Ponte Vecchio. To get a great overview of the city, you have plenty of choices: climb the “Cupolone” of the Duomo or the Giotto Tower, head for Piazzale Michelangelo in Oltrarno (other side of river Arno) or farther up to the church of San Miniato.

San Francisco, a bustling, cosmopolitan city in northern California, is the centerpiece of the Bay Area, well-known for its diverse ethnic and political communities, hilly terrain, world-class restaurants and scenic beauty.

It is the home of the ‘50s beat generation, the ‘60s flower power students, the ‘70s gay rights movement, the ‘80s culinary revolution and, of course, the ‘90s technology boom. Today, the city remains the epicenter for all things cyber and is on the leading edge of the sustainable food movement.  

Ride a cable car, walk across (or windsurf under) the Golden Gate Bridge, scribble poetry in a North Beach café, shop at the hip boutiques along Union Street, check out the latest exhibit at San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, see an opera, then club-crawl through cyber-cool South of Market.

So much to see and do, it’s no wonder why Tony Bennett left his heart there.