Travels in the 2nd half

Pegasus   When you are as rich and powerful as the Medici family was in the 16th century, you can do pretty much anything you want. That includes using the eleven acres behind your palace to build a private garden. And 100 years later, after you family is our of power, that garden becomes part of one of Europe's premier art museums. Adam and Eve Grotto Today, the Boboli Gardens, named for the hill they sit on, is the outdoor sculpture garden of the Uffizi Gallery, in Florence, Italy. It occupies 111 acres behind the Pitti Palace, which was the home of the Medici family. This expansion took place when the entire complex was given to the Uffezi in the 18th century. There are four entrances to the gardens. One each at its east and west end, one near the center, and one directly from the Pitti Palace, for those who purchase a ticket for both. Whichever way you choose to enter, I suggest starting your visit at the Amphitheater. This large open space delineates one of the main axises of ...

  When a person writes about visiting a city, myself included, they tend to write about specific sights, cultural institutions, or events. But one of the joys of visiting a city is just getting out and walking around. Taking in the sights and sounds of someplace new, someplace different.   Porto Romano   My first two days in Florence, I just spent time wandering through its historic center. I have visited before, but this time I really just wanted to look. so with no specific destination, I left me hotel and wandered, camera in hand. This is what I found, in no particular order.   Hercules and Cacus by Bandinelli Ponte Vecchio in the rain Ponte Vecchio Along the Arno Santo Spirito Church Leonardo Tozzi, Cobbler Dante's Church Perseus with the head of Medusa by Cellini Piazza de Santo Spirito Santo Spirito Church David by Michaelangelo Dante Meeting Beatrice by Mario D'Ellia Dante Piazza de La Signorina Hercules and Nessus by Giambologna Palazzo Vecchio The ...