In the novel IF NOT 4 U and Some Shoes, artsy girl Francie Lanoo accepts a prestigious bursary to study at an arts-oriented institute called Idea Incubatrice, located in Florence, Italy. Though the school is a figment of my imagination, the city is very real … and very fabulous. I chose it as a pivotal destination for Francie’s life-adventure partly because it’s one of my favorite places to visit, but mostly because it possesses all of the elements necessary for opening up the dewy eyes of this particular lead character.
- Impromptu Street Art, Florence, Italy
For example, Florence is the birthplace of Renaissance art and architecture, and home to a wealth of historical artwork, landmark buildings, and monuments. For someone studious and enthusiastic about art (as Francie is), being immersed in such an abundance of artistry would be Utopian.
Florence is a key city for fashion, with a history dating back to the year 1300 when it became Europe’s main hub for textile production (thanks Wikipedia, for that tidbit of info). Since then, it has become the headquarter-location for several high-profile Italian fashion companies, like Salvatore Ferragamo, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli and Emilio Pucci. Additionally, it’s home to established design boutiques like Prada, Chanel, Armani and Bulgari, as well as emerging fashion designers with fresh and unique ideas, and for someone with career aspirations in the fashion industry, that’s a whole lot of eye candy.
Florence is situated in the heart of Tuscany, offering up picturesque landscapes, as well as an all-around pleasant climate (void of harsh winters)--which seemed ideal for opening up this character’s mind to the joy of world travel.
Florence has an actual shoe museum, The Salvatore Ferragamo Museum, created in 1995 to illustrate the company’s artistic qualities, as well as the role it played, historically, in the world of shoe design and international fashion. The city also has hundreds of shoe stores (some of them high-end boutiques, some of them less-expensive chain stores, some of them old-world-cobbler style niches)—great from a shoe-research perspective.
Most important, Florence—like the rest of Italy—is a mecca for amore (love and romance)—key to opening Francie’s eyes to the fact that there are many fish in the sea of love. No surprise, the experience of living there impacts her perspective on relationships.
If you haven’t been to the city of Florence, Italy, consider adding it to your Bucket List, because it really does offer an array of enjoyment: cuisine, vistas, culture, history, shopping, entertainment, relaxation. For more info, check out: www.visitFlorence.com.
Has anyone had a noteworthy Florence experience they’d like to share? Like: Eating octopus on an outdoor patio in a crowded piazza? Sleeping on real linen sheets at Hotel Savoy? Navigating a rent-a-car along a downtown cobblestone street that, without warning, turns into pedestrian-only street market? If so, I'd love to hear about it.
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