Tuscany, Italy: Palazzo Vecchio, Florence
Despite being seven centuries after it was built, Palazzo Vecchio continues to be used as the Town Hall of Florence. Whatever you do, don’t assume this is some boring city council building. Palazzo Vecchio houses many works of art from the Studiolo of Francesco I, features a huge tower and is generally breathtaking.
Started in 1299 the building was extended first of all in the mid-14th century, then at the end of the 15th century and again in the 16th. Once home to the mighty Cosimo Medici and served as a political center for many a year after. It regained that status once again in 1875.
The courtyards have enough to enthral any visitor for hours. Italy is famous for its fountains and you will not be disappointed here. The Putto with Dolphin features in this fountain and spouts water that comes all the way from Boboli gardens. The frescos feature scenes from Austrian Hapsburg estates, demonstrating the connection between Florentines and their neighbors from the north. That connection was made concrete with the wedding between the eldest son of Cosimo the Elder and the sister of Emperor Maximilian.
Spend some time in the Salone dei Cinquecento which was once a grand hall of the Grand Duke Cosimo I. There you will witness some of the Pallazzo’s finest frescos. Scenes depicting The Taking of Siena and Pisa Attacked by the Florentines are only two among many extolling the ruler’s military adventures.
Within the palace-fortress you will have the chance to explore many small side rooms too.
In the Hercules Room you will find a painted ceiling depicting the heroic qualities of the mythical Greek hero. Whilst the Room of Jupiter will reveal a fresco of the Roman god on the ceiling. However the most stunning feature would have to be the 14th century tapestries hung on the wall. If tapestries are your great love then the Ceres Room has some depicting hunting scenes. Perhaps the most aw-inspiring is the Room of Cybele which houses cabinets made from tortoise shell and bronze.
For those who enjoy looking at maps and globes, you will find a vast collection in the Sala delle Carte. They will give you an idea of how the world was viewed circa 1563.
Close by you’ll find the apartment of Eleonora of Toledo who was the wife of Cosimo. At the forefront of sights is the Bronzio fresco painted in the mid-16th century. The Chapel of Signoria, including the frescoes on the walls of the Hall of Liles, is another must-see element of the palace.
From the top one can overlook the Piazza della Signoria and see a copy of Michelangelo’s statue of David, along with the statues in the Loggia dei Lanzi.
The Palazzo is not a place to visit in a rush. Take time to explore in full detail and don’t forget all those nooks and crannies.
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More Tips on Booking a Cruise
Here a few more tips on booking your cruise:-
It’s no surprise why Bermudan cruises are popular; it’s a beautiful island not far from Florida so is ideal for a mini-break. Prime cabins sell out 6 to 9 months in advance for the summer months of July and August.
Luckily weather in April-May and September-October can be wonderful. So choosing these off-peak months will give you more options. Just remember that October is hurricane season so expect at least some heavy storms during this month.
If you fancy leaving to waters of America then you can take a cruise from New York (amongst other places) to Europe. Because of the increased popularity, cruise lines have added more tips but prices are still quite high due to demand.
Like the Alaskan cruise, balcony cabins sell out first. They are the most expensive but it seems that there are plenty of people with the money to spend. So booking early is a good idea if you have your heart set on a balcony cabin.
Other cruises such as a 7-nighter to the Mediterranean are also doing well. The Baltic is also becoming very fashionable since the fall of the Iron Curtain. Again, book in advance to avoid disappointment.
If you need to book up with a short booking time then look for cruises on older ships or less popular routes. Just because a ship has been around a few years doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy yourself any less. Though it was exceptional, the Normandie, for example, was as fine as the finest hotel 70 years ago and things have continued to improve since then.
Most tourists prefer to fly to Hawaii but you can still take a cruise there too. If you want to go to Australia then you’ll have to book well in advance no matter what time of year you go. During the US winter Australia is in Summer and vice versa. South America is still a hot destination, in more ways than one. Here is another good site on cruises: Royal Cruise.
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When is the Best Time of Year to Book a Cruise?
When you decide to book your cruise there’s a few things that you need to be aware of during your planning.
It seems that everyone that goes on an Alaskan cruise wants balcony cabins which means they sell out very quickly. Even although they are more expensive, people are more than happy to pay the extra. So if this is you, you’d better act quickly.
The route that the ship takes is also very important. For Alaskan cruises, the Gulf Route between Vancouver and Anchorage is the most sought after. Also, several cruise lines offer on-shore excursions as a package deal.
Round Trip cruises beginning at Vancouver often have more spaces closer to the departure date. Booking for May or September will give you more choices, too. Unless you’re very luck, expect to pay in excess of $100 extra for an ocean view cabin compared to an interior one.
You probably didn’t think there were so many factors to booking a cruise so it’s probably a good idea to have a wish list and an idea of budget laid out on a spreadsheet.
With a Bahamas/Caribbean cruise weather is less of a consideration, however you’ll still want to have a good idea of routes, budget and facilities.
Not surprisingly, holiday seasons sell out the quickest. This includes Spring Break, Christmas-New Year, July and August. It’s still a popular destination so booking in advance is advisable, especially if you want a good cabin.
The late winter/early spring months (in the Northern Hemisphere) of Feb-April will start to book up next. People living in colder climes will be eager for a little sunshine will book up around this time of year to cheer themselves up and give them something to look forward to.
If you’re looking for a bargain then you’ll find cabins available for September-early December as little as 2 months in advance. The weather can still be very pleasant that time of year although be aware of hurricane seasons.
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How to Get Your Cruise at the Cheapest Price
OK, so perhaps it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to book a cruise but it isn’t altogether straightforward either. One thing to consider is when to book the cruise. You might be wondering if you should book well in advance or wait until the last minute in order to get the best price.
Unfortunately there’s no one single answer to this. There’s a variety of cruises to choose from plus company policies, political events and marketing practices can have an effect. But here are a few tips you might find useful.
No doubt about it, you need to shop around. Although no two cruises will be identical, there are a number of companies out there who offer an excellent voyage. Also the internet has made it easier than ever and it also opens up more choice.
After doing a bit of general research on prices for the different seasons and destinations, you can start to finely tune your search.
If you have to go on vacation on specific dates due to work commitments etc then you are of course limiting the number of options. You’ll be able to get a better price if you are more flexible. If you have to set a particular date then booking at least 6 months in advance is preferable.
Booking early won’t give you to best possible price and some companies don’t like to change dates. However some companies may upgrade your cabin. Although companies cannot 100% guarantee a specific departure date or cabin booking early nearly guarantees it.
If you are more flexible then you’ll be able to take advantage of any deals that can come up from time to time. They may offer you a superior cabin although you’ll need to act fast. So you’ll need to have your passport etc ready so that you can leave at short notice.
If where you want to go isn’t as popular or you want to go during a quieter time of year then you’ll have more options. You’ll also get a better pick of cabin at a great price.
The Alaskan season operates between May and September because of the weather. Winters can be harsh and it’s difficult to travel then. This is why July and August can sell out 9 months in advance.
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