Ask me a simple question if I like travelling and I'll talk you ragged giving no definite yes or no. It's more of a love-hate relationship. I love meeting new people and learning local languages but I hate delays and endless lines. Still I think I'll survive and cope with all the troubles because next spring all my dreams are about to come true. I hope I'll visit Italy. So I'm looking for a bigger penny bank now to save up some money because I've included some really eye-feasting, delicious places to my trip menu .

Florence, the capital of Tuscany, is my old flame. It's a branch of heaven on earth for the lovers of the Renaissance. I can see myself walking through the Uffizi's halls, the world's oldest gallery, gazing at genuine works of art, awe-struck but happy. I have this annoying habit to build up false expectations but I'm sure that a stay in Florence will be on of the best memories that will nourish mind and soul for the rest of my life. Giotto, Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo Da Vinci, Dante, Petrarca, Boccaccio ... They used to live and work in Florence. Imagine walking through the streets these great men once walked.

Florentine streets will never lose their charm. Renaissance palaces, churches, parks, ateliers and studios where you can find delicate glassware and ceramics, fancy and elegant jewellery. Check out my Italian: Firenze è una perla preziosa!* But the main attraction is the people. Have you visited the Sartorialist blog? That's one of my favourites. There you can see cool pictures of stylish people on the street from all over the world, from Italy as well. Modern-day Romeos and Casanovas, Lauras and Beatrices. By the way, the Sartorialist is on the "Vogue loves it" list. I got my September issue last week finally! It has some really nice jewellery recommendations but let's save it for the next post.

I'm listening to Ludovico Einaudi now, one of my favourite contemporary Italian composers. His Primavera is a masterpiece, I think. That's what I feel looking at the face of Venus (Sandro Botticelli's the Birth of Venus).

*Florence is a precious pearl!