We're skating on the surface :-) I recommend Parks' book, he really makes the economics of the period - along with much else - come alive. At the end he recommends reading the texts of some of the people of the time. I agree. I think the link I gave to Cellini is to his autobiography online - fascinating, easy read. For lots of other stuff giving an authentic feel of the period - e.g. a pope lamenting that he can't rely on any of the leaders of Europe to unite to fight the Turks :-) - is in The Portable Renaissance Reader. Don't miss the Golden View wine bar - nice staff too - and have a good time.

Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner - that I moved to Nice.

Be sure to go to Fiesole to catch a great view over the whole city of Florence. Bus number 7 will take you there if I remember correctly.

You have a normal feeling for a moment, then it passes. --More--