Traveling With Nancy: A Long Weekend in Florence and Paris, Part I

The view from the Ponte Vechio in Florence

Florence and Paris, November 2012

Part 1 - Florence

The mother daughter reunion with great food, history, shopping and visiting some of our favorite places.

Saturday, November 17, we set off on a walking tour with our guide, Chiara. Concentrating on the architecture and history we were able to see Florence from a medieval perspective.

The Basilica di Santa Maria del
Fiore or the Duomo as it is commonly called, took two centuries to be completed! Inside we gazed at the frescoes and learned the history of it's construction. Brunelleschi built this masterpiece without scaffolding! It is one of three of the largest in the world; the others being St Peter's in Rome and St Paul's Cathedral in London.

Right across from the Duomo are the famed bronze doors of the adjacent Baptistery

We moved on to the Galleria dell'Accademia to gaze upon Michelangelo's David. The museum was originally founded as an art school.
Insider tip:
Having your tickets in hand will save time, especially during peak tourist season (late spring and summer). Book tickets at least a day in advance.

Saturday morning we had our tickets for the Uffizi for the 10:30am spot.
Along with the Louvre in Paris and El Prado in Madrid(been to both!), the Uffizi is considered to be one of the most important museums in the world.Housing 13th- to 18th-century Italian and European masterworks—paintings by Botticelli, Hugo van der Goes, Titian, Rubens, Caravaggio, Raphael and Rembrandt, among others.
Another tip:The line at the Uffizi can get very long, so we strongly encourage advance reservations.

In the Garden at the Ufizzi Gallery, you can sip an expresso.

Gelato - è necessario!

We sampled several local restaurants within walking distance of the Plaza, all recommended by our friends Alexandra and Antonio from Siena.

There was also shopping and all the Medici history!

Hotel Savoy was our home in Florence. Located on the Piazza Repubblica, close to Florence's renowned landmark the Duomo, the hotel is just a short walk from the Uffizi Gallery and the Ponte Vecchio. Rocco Forte's Hotel Savoy; wonderfully comfortable beds and classic marble and mosaic bathrooms with a great location and a great staff. For families traveling, they have a great selection of connecting rooms.

Deluxe bedroom at the Hotel Savoy

Virtuoso Exclusive Benefits

Virtuoso Exclusive Benefits:
Upgrade upon arrival; subject to availability
Daily buffet breakfast. for up to two in room guests
85 euro food & beverage credit, once during stay
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We also visited the Four Seasons Firenze, located in an 11 acre park with an on site spa.Your room will either be in a 16th century Conventino or a 15th century palace with original frescos. Gorgeous rooms!

Premier room

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

• Daily Full breakfast, for up to two in room guests

• Welcome amenity in room on arrival

• $100 USD Spa Services credit, to be utilized during stay
(not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

• Daily Buffet breakfast, for up to two in room guests

• 85 EUR Food & Beverage credit, once during stay
(not combinable, not valid towards room rate, no cash value if not redeemed)