From the Middle Ages to the present day, Piazza della Signoria, between Piazza del Duomo and the…read moreArno River, is the beating heart of the historic center of Florence with its distinctive L-shape, which my partner, our friends, family member, and I visited in mid-September. Palazzo Vecchio, the traditional seat of the Florentine government, with its distinctive tower, is yet another symbol of the city. In front stands a copy of Michelangelo's David (the original can be seen at the Accademia Gallery). One of the most impressive squares we've ever seen! The piazza looks like an outdoor museum, full of iconic statues and history in every corner. One can't miss the Fountain of Neptune that was commissioned to celebrate a Medici marriage. It is a colossal statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea and the counterpart of the Greek god Poseidon. The atmosphere is vibrant and lively with both tourists and locals, perfect to enjoy both during the day and at night. Definitely a must-see in Florence!

Nice gathering place next to Ponte Vecchio. There's a beautiful fountain here and plenty of places…read moreto gather and dine. I love these Italian palazzos!

The Duomo di Siena is one of the most visually appealing cathedrals in Italy...a place where art…read moreand devotion converge in extraordinary harmony. Towering over Piazza del Duomo in Siena's historic center, the cathedral immediately commands attention with its distinctive dramatic blackandwhite striped marble façade, a color scheme that reflects the ancient symbols of the city itself. While we have seen many beautiful Italian cathedrals, this one is one of the most unique ones. Stepping inside the cathedral is awe-inspiring and completely breathtaking. Unlike many cathedrals whose beauty lies primarily on the exterior, Siena's Duomo interior is splendid and grand. The interior is lavishly decorated with striped marble columns, gilded details, sculptures, and frescoes that make the space feel more like a grand art gallery than a traditional church. While indelible photographs are forever etched in our minds, our tour guide discouraged us from taking photos inside the cathedral. One of the cathedral's greatest highlights is its marble inlaid floor, created over several centuries by dozens of artists. Often described as one of the most beautiful cathedral floors in the world, it features intricate biblical scenes and moral lessons created in marble mosaic. When you view such beauty, it feels bigger than yourself. Majestic!

We were lucky enough to see the cathedral in October when the floors were uncovered and it was…read moretruly a sight to see. Absolutely worth the visit and make sure to go to the top of the bell tower during your visit for a spectacular view and a great photo opportunity.

Michelangelo's David is breathtaking in person! When we visited Florence, I thought the statue of…read moreDavid outside the Duomo was the authentic Michelangelo's David, and it actually is not. I think the Duomo area I reference may actually be the Piazza della Signoria. The real David statue is located at the Galleria dell-Accademia, or Accademia Gallery in Florence, and he stands almost seventeen feet tall at sixteen feet and 11.15 inches! David weighs in at 12, 478.12 pounds and he is made of solid marble stone! The sling on his left shoulder and the tree trunk behind his right leg were once covered with gold leaf, however, being outdoors in the elements in Piazza della Signoria for over 400 years washed the gold leaf away. I bet it was incredible to see the golf leafed version! In person at the Accademia Gallery, the statue is breathtaking! He is giant, and depicts the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel in the Bible. i love that Michelangelo decided to depict David before his battle with the giant Goliath, with the slingshot resting on his shoulder and the rock he will use, poised in his right hand not to mention the posture of David, poised and ready to defeat the giant! Do see David in person if you get the opportunity - see the original for certain and also the replica which you will pass often in the popular Duomo area of Florence Italy.

Statua del David Can't believe I just found this page. I…read morespent a lot of time in Florence enjoying the city. I love all the works of Michelangelo. Words are not coming. You must go! Get your photos I'll look for more of mine.

Piazza del Campo is the main public square and heart of Siena, Italy. Renowned for its distinctive…read moreshell shape and gently sloping brick surface, it is one of Europe's most celebrated medieval squares and a centerpiece of Siena's UNESCO‑listed historic center. The square is framed by elegant palaces, including the Palazzo Pubblico and its towering Torre del Mangia, and serves as a gathering place for daily life and civic events. Twice a year, it becomes the dramatic setting for the Palio di Siena, the city's historic horse race that brings Siena's neighborhoods together in a display of tradition and rivalry.

Siena was one of our stops on our all day bus tour through Tuscany and I'm so happy it was!…read more We grabbed aperitivos and enjoyed the sun set while people watching. It's such a vibrant city center. Really fun place to relax after a long day.

I have been to Siena twice. On my second trip, I visited for Palio. The day of the festivities, I…read moremade my way to Torre del Mangia to do some sightseeing. Located in Piazza del Campo, the center and heart of Siena, Torre del Mangia is one of the most prominent symbols of Siena. It's one of TripAdvisor's most popular attractions in Siena and for good reason. Snap a few pictures of the tower from the outside and then walk inside. It's free to check out the courtyard area where you'll be able to take a really cool photo of the tower from the interior. You'll know what I mean when you're there. After you're done checking out the courtyard, for a fee, you can buy a ticket to go up the tower and get some panoramic views of the city. If they happen to be sold out, you can also get some scenic views by checking out the Duomo. Torre del Mangia is a must visit while in Siena!

10/28/2013 My…read morehusband and I woke up early and went to the City Wall Tower as our first stop of the day. Good thing we went early in the morning, as we were able to get some sparkling nice views from the top. Once you climb the 330 steps to the top (the staircase is rather narrow in some areas, so they will ask you to check in your bags about 1-2 flights up). This is definitely one of the best views of Siena and Tuscany. Well worth the 8€ per person. We were able to stay at the top for a good 20-30 minutes to take some photos of the beautiful Siena landscape + look out into the hills of Tuscany. GORGEOUS!! We think the best time to go is in the morning when the sun is not out in full force, and the fog is leaving the hills...so you can get some clear photos. :) We loved our experience and definitely recommend it. We know of others who went to the top of the Duomo, so that's another option as well; but we didn't do that one since we already went to the top of the City Tower. Either way, I'm sure the views are great. :)

What a beautiful city. Narrow streets, barely wide enough for cars -- of course this village…read morepredates the Romans and is at least 3000 years old with parts of the Etruscan walls still standing. Cortona is built on a hilltop. There are no flat streets. Parking space is limited in the old city. The central squares host street musicians and markets on certain days. So picturesque with views forever. Beautiful buildings and restaurants where you can enjoy the mild Tuscan weather and shopping available. Made popular by the movie Under the Tuscan sun.

2009. We pedal up to…read moreCortona, another medieval Italian town that sits on top of a hill. The road up is a steep serpentine that never stops serpentining. We push on, each switchback like another cruel demonstration of the defensive advantage of building a town on top of a fricking hill. Cortona and its environs is where 'Under the Tuscan Sun,' Francis Mayes' insanely popular 1996 memoir about renovating a farmhouse in Tuscany, is set. The book was then adapted into an equally popular movie that was also shot around Cortona, though the plot was jazzed up, Hollywood-style. Instead of a memoir of a couple college professors doing a gut rehab, the movie is about a San Francisco writer who finds out her husband is cheating on her, so she moves to Italy and buys a run down villa and, you know, slowly repairs the house and her broken heart. The book + movie turned Cortona into a pretty serious tourist destination. More than that, it turned it into a fantasy destination. A place you can go after your life falls apart to find good food and laughter and a significant other with Hollywood looks. In other words, a place you can find in your guide book and reserve a hotel room in, but that doesn't actually exist.