The Medici family is well noted for its wealth, and the family is considered the grandfathers to the Italian Renaissance. In fact, Florence itself is noted as the birthplace of the Renaissance.

That’s part of what makes visiting the Medici Chapels such a fun and popular event for many visiting Tuscany.

The Medici Chapels are actually part of the San Lorenzo complex. The family considered the San Lorenzo church to be its official church. The Medici Place was in Via Larga, which is now Via Cavour. It actually became their place of burial.

This is now home to many Medici graves. In 1429, Giovanni de’ Bicci de’ Medici died and was the first to be buried here with his wife, Piccarda. Cosimo the Elder, the son of Giovanni de’ Bicci de’ Medici, has his gravesite at the crossing of the church.

In 1520, Michelangelo started his work on the New Sacristy, which was a project for the tomb of this great Florence family. The New Sacristy corresponded to the Old Sacristy that was created by Brunelleschi that is located on the other side of the church.

The project’s architecture was finalized by 1524 and featured white walls plus an inside design based on Bruelleschi’s work.

When you come in the back of the church of San Lorenzo, you’ll see three separate parts. There is the crypt, and you’ll also see the Chapel of Princes, or Cappella dei Principi, along with the New Sacristy. The crypt is home to some Medici graves – mostly minor members. The Chapel of Prices is the home of six graves of Medici Grand Dukes. The New Sacristy still stands with Michelangelo’s work.

When you are in Florence and checking down the bill from your hotel, you will see a line that will add a tax to your stay. Florence started a new tourist tax in 2011 that applies to all visitors to the city who sleep in the city.

The Florence tourist tax applies to each individual person and spans hotels to bed and breakfasts, hostels, residences and even places where people campout.

The tax itself does apply to each person and is based upon the rating class of the hotel you are staying at. The cost varies from one up to five euros per person based on the number of stars a hotel has.

The top amount the tax can be is 5 euros per person per day. The tax applies up to total of five nights spent in Florence. Five euros is about $7.08. So that comes up to about $35.40 per person maximum in a five-night stay at a top-class hotel.

Florence plans to use the funds to help make its services aimed at tourists better. Some of the planned projects include public services, infrastructure and more. The new tax kicked in during the summer 2011 tourist season, so be prepared to pay it once it comes time to check out of your hotel going forward.

Many people who going on vacation are increasingly interested in taking what’s becoming commonly known as Agrotourism Holidays.
Essentially, this word is a combination of agriculture and tourisim to create the word agrotourism. In Italy, it’s called agriturismo. What this entails is a chance for people to experience the real way of life on working farms or more rustic accomdations.

If you are visiting the Tuscan countryside, you may find yourself in a traditional Tuscan farmhouse or a home in the country. These homes are likely involved in the harvesting of grapes or olives. On this agrotourism vacation, or agiturismo, people often get to see how wine is made or how olive oil is created in a true behind-the-scenes view.

Many rustic adventures for agrotourists can involve other enjoyable adventures on the farm. These can include horseback riding, hiking in some of the beautiful Tuscan hills or even cooking classes to teach people the finer points of delicious Tuscan fare. Of course, many wineries in Tuscany offer lovely wine tastings for those who are interested. Tuscany’s Chianti Wine Region is known for its many great wines – some of which are considered the best that Italy makes.

Other agriturismo vacations in Tuscany take place at a villa or even a castle. Many of these places to stay are run by families from top to bottom. Most accommodations include bed-and-breakfast like atmospheres, while other offer cottages or apartments to guests.