Ponte Vecchio

Italy: Shopping in Florence

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September 15th 2008
The train to Florence was pleasant but not nearly as nice as an Italian bus. Our hostel was only a short walk from the train station and about 8 flights of stairs up. Why does it feel we are always walking and climbing stairs? The city of Florence instantly appealed to both of us. The atmosphere is far more relaxed then Rome and people look at life a little more laid back. There are more peopl ... read more

Europe » Italy » Tuscany » Florence

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Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the city-states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI establis... ... read more