Great Itineraries:Florence

The Ponte Vecchio, In Florence Italy

    Ah, Florence, the city of art and culture.  A place overflowing with incredible charm and grace.  A city that was shaped by time and history.  It is the birth place of The Renaissance and Dante.  The home of masterful craftsmen such as Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Donatello as well as tyrants like Savonarola and The Medici family.  A place full of enticing food, and exceptional wine.  A city overflowing with passionate people, that are bursting with life.  This 15th century powerhouse will simply captivate the senses and take you to a time of artistic creativity that the world has rarely known.

Day 1

• 9:00 A.M.          See the best collection of Renaissance art anywhere in The Uffizi Gallery
• 11:00 A.M.        View an incredible compilation of statuary at The Bargello
• 1:00 P.M.           Lunch
• 2:30 P.M.           Spend some time in Medici elegance at The Pitti Palace
• 4:00 P.M.           Stroll through The Oltrarno, to see how Italians really live
• 7:00 P.M.           Diner

 

Michelangelo's Pieta

Day 2

• 9:00 A.M.          Head to Santa Maria del Fiore or as the locals affectionately call it, The Duomo
• 10:00 A.M.        Climb to the top of The Duomo and get a birds eye view of the city
• 12:00 A.M.        Lunch
• 1:00 P.M.           Enjoy the incredible mosaics of The Duomo's Baptistery and Giotto's spectacular bronze doors.
• 3:00 P.M.           See the artistic treasures of The Duomo at The legendary Duomo Museum
• 7:00 P.M.           Diner

 

Day 3

• 9:00 A.M.          It's time to see the incomparable David at The Accademia
• 11:00 A.M.        See what divine inspiration looks like at The Museum of San Marco
• 1:00 P.M.           Lunch
• 2:00 P.M.           See a who's who of Florentine history at The Medici Chapel
• 4:00 P.M.           See a cutting edge innovator at work at The Santa Maria Novella
• 7:00 P.M.           Diner
• 9:00 P.M.           Enjoy a sumptuous gelato at The Piazza della Signora, while listening to some romantic music under the stars!

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How Can Cookies Cost You A Bunch When You Book Your Vacation?

Cookies?  I Just Love Snickderdoodles!

     How can cookies cost you a bunch when you book your vacation?  It's true that cookies are costing many unwitting vacationers hundreds of dollars on their trips.  Before you start to throw away those delicious Milanos, know that we are talking about the ones that are hiding out on your computer.  Now I am no computer expert but when you go online and checkout a website, you will leave behind a digital "bread crumb trail" of where you have been.  Some times this is beneficial, because you can find obscure websites much easier and get advertisements that are tailor made for you.  However, there are some very negative aspects to cookies.  Namely, they keep track of the sites that you are viewing.  So if you are regularly checking on the price for a flight from Chicago to Miami, it records this data, and will notify companies like Expedia and Orbitz of your actions.  They will intern filter out the cheapest prices for that trip and will only show you prices that are closer to the average.  How evil can a company be! So how do you beat this wicked system?  Well, you should continue to do your research for your trips.  This will help you find the best deal for your getaway.  Next, when you have finally found that flight you have been looking for and are ready to purchase it, use a different electronic device to do so. Be it a tablet, cell phone or a completely different computer on an independent Internet connection.  Now, use this secondary device to make the final selection.  This will trump the cookie trap and help you get the best deal for the trip that you have been looking forward to.  Oh, and imagine all of the cookies that you can buy with the money that you will save!

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100!

Here At The Thrifty Adventurer We Are Always Enthusiastic About Travel

    Article number one hundred!  It is truly amazing that we have officially published 100 articles on The Thrifty Adventurer.  When I first started out writing this blog, I never would have dreamed of how much fun or how fulfilling it was going to be.  I began with a simple idea, to help people save money on their vacations, but I never realized that it would blossom into what it has.  We are currently receiving hundreds upon hundreds of hits a week and have a fan base that circles the globe.  From everyone here at the The Thrifty Adventurer, I would like to say, thank you so very much for all of your support and kindness.  We truly do appreciate it!  Because without you, our devoted readers, we wouldn't be here today.  Again, thank you so much for everything, and hopefully one hundred articles is just the beginning of something great!

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Botticelli's Legacy

Self Portrait Of Sandro Botticelli

                          A few years ago I made a pilgrimage to The Uffizi Art Gallery in Florence, Italy.  Besides being considered one of the greatest art museums in the world, it is home to the most incredible collection of Renaissance art anywhere.  They have an amazing assortment of painting from the likes of Leonardo da Vinci, Titan, and Raphael, but the center piece of this remarkable collection is "The Botticelli Room"  Here you will find the most iconic and critically acclaimed paintings from this 15th century genius.

    Sandro Botticelli was born in Florence, Italy in 1445 where he quickly developed his unique style and technique under the tutelage of Filippo Lippi.  Unlike his predecessors, Botticelli broke from convention and standard artistic themes like that of a Madonna with child and embraced a more Greco-Roman subject matter.  You can easily observe this in his Allegoria della Primavera.  Botticelli has created a landscape where springtime is in full bloom and a whole montage of Roman mythological characters that are acting out there stereotypical roles.  From Mars picking fruit from a luscious tree to the "The Three Graces" dancing a maypole dance to usher in the new season.  There is Flora elegantly tossing flowers from her gown, and Venus, the goddess of love, is giving her blessing to the whole affair.  Oh, and let's not forget about the adorable baby Cupid blindly shooting arrows of romance into the air,  Not only is this a departure from darker, more serious motifs of the Middle Ages, but it is a call back to a more enlighten time.  This was symbolic of the attitudes of The Renaissance and how they had yearned for an era of true enlightenment, and Botticelli was the man who could help drive this movement.

     To emphasis this sense of rebirth, Botticelli created his master piece Nascita di Venere or The Birth of Venus.  Here we witness a naked Venus being born is into the world.  Legend has it, that she was born from the foam of a wave, and was carried to shore on top of a giant clam shell.  This is where her attendant immediately cloths her.  This painting is not meant to be an expression of sexuality, but rather one of innocence.  Which explains Venus' bashfulness as she covers her angelic body.  Botticelli felt that only through God could we ever find true beauty, and he uses the most intricate of details to express it.  From Venus' hair whimsically blowing in the wind to the flower petals drifting to the sea, Botticelli dose not miss an opportunity to incorporate any of these suttle nuances.  He truly is a master of realism, and The Birth of Venus showcases this incredible talent.

     Regretfully, things changed in Florence, in the late 1490's, a monk by the name of Savonarola took over the city with a series of sermons preaching the damnation to all decadence.  He proclaimed that those who embrace a "pagan" lifestyle were condemned to burn in hell.  This lead to the people to  create several "bonfire of the vanities".  These were large bonfires that were fueled by books, fine clothing, and paintings.  Botticelli created his work La Calunnia or The Slander in response to this Post Renaissance era in Florence.  Here you see a hall with Brunelleschian style of architecture, which is stereotypical of the Renaissance, but it has been invaded by a much darker force.  The naked man in the center pleads his case before the court but is adamantly ignored, represented by the man in the black cloak, turning his back on him.  The young lady to the left, symbolizes truth, and looks to the heavens for divine intervention, which does not appear to come.  This sums up the emotional atmosphere of Florence during Savonarola's reign of terror.  Famed German writer Heinrich Heine once said that "when they start by burning books, they'll end by burning people" and in 1498, a feed up Florentine populace did just this to Savonarola on his own bonfires.  These traumatic events changed Botticelli, and his later works represent this new perspective on life.  They are significantly darker and express a more negative outlook on humanity.

   So as you can see, Sandro Botticelli was an innovator that embraced the ideologies of the Renaissance and crafted some of it's most iconic works.  If you are ever in Florence, Italy, make it a point to see these artistic treasures first hand.  They will absolutely dazzle your imagination and simply take your breath away.

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Tipping Is Not A City In China

The Tipping Jar

     In America, we are constantly tipping for everything.  From the hair stylist giving us that cutting edge do to the barista making that exceptional cup of coffee that gets us through the morning.  We consistently tip for the most basic of services, and if we do not tip enough, we are looked down upon.  It's funny how ingrained this thought process is for us, because in other parts of the world, tipping is not an expectation, but based on merit.  Thus, tipping is used as a reward for exceptional service, as it should be, and not a requirement.  In fact, some cultures even view tipping as rude.  Thus, our idea of tipping is not a universal concept.

     In India, tipping is expected for absolutely everything.   If you have your bags brought up to your room, which is typically not an option, you are obligated to tip.  If you go out to a restaurant for a meal, you tip.  If you take a photograph of someone, you tip them.  When you enter a mosque or a Hindu temple, you tip the guy who watches your shoes.  When you enter a bathroom, you tip the janitor to keep the place clean and full of supplies.  So when you travel to India, you are required to tip for every single thing you do, and for every minor service you receive.

     In Continental Europe, the concept of tipping is much different.  Here you only tip when a service truly merits it.  When you dine out in a nice trattoria or a bistro, you only need to tip when the service was impeccable, and then only a small amount should be given.  Most European restaurants employ family members who are already given a fraction of the bill as is or if the employee is unrelated, then the tip is already included in the bill.  This insures that the waiter gets his due.  Also, unlike in America, waiters and waitresses are payed a much better wage, and thus are not reliant on tips for their survival.  That's why in Europe, you should only tip if services were outstanding, and not out of obligation.

      Now In Australia, tipping is not just frowned upon, but thought of as just plain rude.  This is another case of the servers getting a livable wage for the work they do as well as the fact that they do not need your generosity.  They feel that only a jerk would throw around money like that, and ultimately, they feel demeaned by receiving a couple of dollars from a perfect stranger.  Who would want to feel like a beggar getting charity?  So to avoid making the locals angry and coming off like a total fool with holes in their pockets, just avoid tipping in Australia.

   So, you can clearly see that the custom of tipping is not a universal idea and depending on where in the world you are, tipping has a completely different meanings.  Oh, in case you are wondering, in America, I typically tip my servers around 15 percent for a meal, a couple of dollars for a hair cut or a taxis ride, and I never shell out anything extra to a barista for making my coffee, unless they provide exceptional customer service.

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Gelato: A Taste Of Sweet Nirvana

There Is Nothing Better Than Enjoying A Delicious Gelato

     I have traveled throughout the world and have experienced so many amazing things.  From the epic grandeur of The Taj Mahal to the natural beauty of The Great Barrier Reef,  I have had some truly incredible opportunities in my life, but one of the most underrated and absolutely sublime things that I have experienced, is to taste the creamy delight that is gelato.  I know what you are thinking, an ice cream cone can never compare to the opulence of The Eiffel Tower or the majesty of The Grand Canyon, but I beg to differ.  If you have ever traveled to Florence, Italy, than you know what I mean.  This Mecca of epicurean delights, is by far the home of the greatest gelato on the planet.  Is it the non-pasteurized dairy from the local cows of Tuscany or is it the freshness of the ingredients that flavor these succulent treats or could it be the suttle craftsmanship that Italians are legendary for.  Either way, they just seem to make the most spectacular treats out there.

     To truly experience this heavenly bliss, ask your gelato aficionado (most shops have been family owned and operated for generations, so they really know their stuff!) for an "un assaggio, por favore?"  Which is Italian for a taste, please and try what ever flavors that call out to you.  Be it the most richest of chocolates, the most herbaceous of mint, the earthy undertones of hazelnut or the bright and fruity tang of pomegranate.  Most gelaterias will use the most freshest ingredients that suttely pop out through the richest of cream.  It is simply mesmerizing, how mouth watering these treats truly are.  After you have sampled a half dozen or so of these confectionery marvels, ask your gelato expert "che si sposano bene?"  or what marries well.  To maximize your gelato experience, you want to choose two or more flavors that play well off of each other.  Individually, flavors can be wonderful, but if you couple two flavors that compliment each other perfectly, you can have a culinary treasure of epic proportions.

      When you have meticulously designed that taste of sweet nirvana, grab a slab of stone at the Piazza della Signora.  Here you can listen to some charming music while surrounding yourself with copies of the most impressive statuary, the world has ever known, and you can ponder how this culinary concoction is on par with these other artistic treasures.

My list of the best gelaterias in Florence:

Grom,     Via delle Ochw 24a

Perche No!,     Via dei Tavolini 19

And my absolute favorite,

Gelateria Carrozze,     Piazza del Pesce 3

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Lion, The Other White Meat

These Are Some Of The Incredible Tacos Found At Taco Fusion

    Are you into eating adventurous dishes?  Have you ever had fried alligator or a juicy buffalo burger?  What about snails in a creamy butter and parsley sauce or a tender kangaroo steak?  These are interesting, but have you ever imagined trying lion for diner?  Taco Fusion, a gourmet restaurant in the Tampa Bay area, has been marketing succulent lion meat tacos on their menu.  These unique tacos have been highly controversial because of the status of these majestic creatures.  They are officially rated as vulnerable by the W.W.F (World Wild Fund), which is one step away from being endangered.  This has pushed groups like P.E.T.A (People For The Ethical Treatment Of Animals) into boycotting this cutting edge establishment.  Now to their defense, they have been purchasing the lion meat from U.S.D.A approved sources and not from the illegal bush meat trade, which has plagued Africa for years.  Thus, these animals have been raised in the states for the sole purpose of consumption.

     Regretfully, Taco Fusion has announced this week that they will stop selling these unique tacos.  Before you jump to any conclusions about their reasoning for this decision, its not due to pressures from animal rights activists but as a direct result of the fact that they have sold through their supply.  Even at $35 a plate, they have been unable to keep up with the demand for them. Taco Fusion, has announce to their detractors that if they did not like the idea of lion tacos, then "they haven't seen anything yet!"  They plan to keep pushing the envelope as usual.  So the next time that you are in the Tampa Bay area, and in the mood for something truly different then swing by Taco Fusion for their latest fare.

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Taco Fusions Official Website:
http://www.taco-fusion.com/

David, Florence's Original Magic Mike

A Copy of The David In Front Of The Palazzo Vecchio

    Have you ever stood before something so amazing that it simply takes your breath away?  This happened to me the first time I beheld Michelangelo's David. I had herd over and over again how magnificent this masterpiece was, but until I actually saw this 17 foot behemoth with my own eyes, I had no idea how truly incredible it is.

     Michelangelo was commissioned to create The David in 1504 as part of the Duomo's exterior statuary, but it turned out to be so much more.  As you look at the vibrant, white, Carrara marble, you cannot help but see Michelangelo's genius at work.  The statue is not just a realistic nude, but a representation of Renaissance man.  His face says it all, "he's got this!"  David is not afraid of what is to come, fighting the giant Goliath, because he knows that God is on his side.  You might notice that David's right hand is out of proportion with the rest of his body.  Michelangelo did this purposefully, to show that David was imbued with God's blessing.  This eternal optimism and the ability to triumph over any obstacle was a recurrent theme throughout the Renaissance, and Michelangelo has imbued The David with it in earnest.

     This amazing statue now resides in The Accademia alongside several of Michelangelo's "Prisoners" or unfinished works.  Originally, it stood in front of the Palazzo Vecchio or town hall for over 350 years, until it was finally moved to a more fitting locale.  The backdrop, under a Renaissance style dome is truly a fitting place for this magnificent masterpiece to be showcased in.  So the next time you are in Florence, brave the enormous crowds and see this truly spectacular work of art for yourself.  I promise you will be humbled and mesmerized by it.

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Since When Did Frontier Airlines Start To Use A Loony For A Mascot?

Frontier Airlines

    In an era of bargain airlines that are cutting corners everywhere possible, I believe that Frontier Airlines has finally crossed the line.  This week Frontier Airlines has announced some new and very extreme changes to their services.  Now if you book a flight through a third party vendor like Orbitz or Kayak, you will have to pay for all carry on luggage.  Yes, you heard right, if you book a flight from any source other than from their official site, you will have to pay between $25 and $100 per bag you carry on the flight.  How horrible!  Is this a way for Frontier to avoid paying for these third party companies to book your seats, like Southwest Airlines has already done, or is it a sign that they cannot compete with the other carriers out there.  Either way, they are being underhanded and extremely deceitful in the way that they are trying to extort this revenue.

     Speaking of cutting corners, Frontier Airlines has also decided to charge for sodas and coffee on their flights.  Can you believe it?  They are going to charge you two dollars for a soft drink!  It's bad enough that they are already charging for the use of their T.V.'s, but to gouge their customers for drink service, it's just sad.  For me, Frontier Airlines has always been a good and reputable company, but since their buyout by Midwest Airlines, this great company has been in a state of utter decline.  I really hope that they realize that they are going completely overboard with these new changes before it's too late, and they run off all of their devoted customers!

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"Hey, I Can See My Pensione From Here!"

The Duomo In Florence, Italy

     As I gaze across this magnificent city clad in dark orange, I am left in complete awe.  Florence is a city full of extraordinary beauty and shrouded in an illustrious history.  Take for instance, this magnificent cathedral that I have laboured to climb.  Santa Maria del Fiore or as the locals affectionately call it, The Duomo, was constructed in the Middle Ages as a sign of the peoples devotion to God, and it's characteristic dome is still to this day, a symbol of pride for the city.  As a whole, the place is huge, with the third largest nave in Christendom.  The elegant three story facade of mosaics and statuary dates back to the 1870's, when locals wanted to commemorate the reunification of the country.  All of the pink, green and white marble was dug up from quarries all over Tuscany and creates a gorgeous house of worship. 

     The interior is sparse, with only gray and cream colored stones adorning the walls and wooden pews facing the alter.  As you move to the center of the church, look up.  Here you can see the artistic treasure of this church, all of the other remarkable statuary and paintings are housed in The Duomo Museum next door.  Giorgio Vasari's ginormous Last Judgement from the 1570's artistically covers up the base of the dome.  Here Vasari shows us the last days of the world as the dead rise from their tombs to be judged by God himself.   Speaking of tombs, if you descend the staircase in the nave you can view the crypt of the church.  Within the crypt are several tombs of notable Florentines, including the remains of Filippo Brunelleschi.

The Last Judgement by Giorgio Vasari

    Brunelleschi was the genius behind this remarkable dome.  In 1497, there was a competition to see who would design the dome for the church.  Architects and engineers from around the land came to Florence to present their ideas on how to finish it.  Prior to this construction, no one had ever built a dome of this magnitude before, the technology just never existed.  Brunelleschi walked in and asked the judges to stand an egg upon its end.  Each judge tried his best but failed miserably.  They said that it could not be done, so he took the egg and hit it hard on the table.  The egg stood incredibly upon it's end.  So the judges after seeing how Brunelleschi could think outside of the box was granted the commission and began to construct this engineering marvel.  Brunelleschi started with the white ribs for support and filled in the red tilled areas with a dome within a dome technique to accomplish it.  As you ascend the to the top of church, you can see this structure first hand.  Finally, he topped it off with a lantern as a symbol of Gods eternal light throughout the world.


      If you want to have a commanding view of this beautiful city, you need to climb to the top of the cathedral. This is a pretty intensive hike with over 463 steps to the top. You begin your accent on the north side of the building where there is a staircase that leads to the top. You follow this circular staircase up, and up, and up as you peer through the tiniest of windows overlooking the street below. About half way up, you will emerge onto a balcony overlooking the nave of the church. This birds eye view will give you an amazing view of the church below as well as a close up of Vasari's
master piece The Last Judgement.  From here you enter a steep, narrow staircase that follows Brunelleschi's dome within a dome construction.  This staircase continues going up and up until you finally reach the top.  After climbing hundreds and hundreds of grueling steps, you will emerge at the highest point in Florence.  The wind is strong, and cool in your face as you lookout over this clay tiled city.  The views are epic and simply breath taking as you can make out the various landmarks of this tremendous city.  From the opulent jewelry stalls of The Ponte Vecchio to the grand and always energetic Piazza della Signora.  This city is a place of remarkable beauty, and the best way to truly experience it is from the top of this legendary cathedral.

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May's Letter From The Editor

Taking In The Views Of Florence From The Duomo

    Florence, is an Italian city of extraordinary beauty that has been shaped by it's elaborate history.  Thanks to it's Renaissance background, the place has become the epicenter for both art and culture.  A couple of years ago, I was fortunate enough to spend sometime here, and will spend the month reminiscing about this wonderful city.  We will climb to the top of a massive cathedral and stand in awe at Michelangelo's masterpiece, "The David".  We will have our breath taken away by the shear elegance of Botticelli's "Venus" as well as enjoy a delicious gelato in the magnificent Piazza della Signoria. As always, we will continue our great itineraries series with a detailed look at this tremendous city. So take a stroll with me, as I lead you down a path to La Dolce Vita!

Christopher Morrison
Writer and Editor of
The Thrifty Adventurer

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