An Introduction To Tuscany Italy

Tuscany, Italy is the place that movies are filmed and fantasies run wild. Perhaps it is the cities of Florence, Pisa, or Livorno that invoke feelings of culture, art, or arouse the senses to the smells and taste of the Chianti region. The fact is that Tuscany is home to some of the most famous tourist destinations in Italy. It is here that budding artists come to learn from the masters. It is here that the world of fashion takes it cues. And it is in Tuscany that romantics rekindle the flame and celebrate their love.

The Cities of Tuscany

Florence is perhaps one of the most famous cities in the area known as Tuscany. The Uffizi museum after all is home to such masterpieces as The Birth of Venus. Originally built to house the Tuscan administrative offices, the top floor now houses masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Caravaggio. Each visitor to Florence must also stop in and gaze at Michelangelos David, on display at the oldest art academy, the Galleria dellAccademia. The Ponte Vecchio is a landmark that literally translated means old bridge. It was built in the 1300s and has withstood floods and wars in order to continue to hawk some of the worlds most wonderful 18 and 24k gold products and leather goods.

Chianti is known for its wines which are famous around the world. Tourists to Tuscany can enjoy the worlds finest wines while enjoying the picturesque countryside.

Siena, also located in the Chianti region houses a gothic cathedral and paintings by medieval masters, Duccio and Simone Martini. The Renaissance and Etruscan history are evident in each landmark of the region.

Piza is best known for the Leaning Tower whose construction began in the 12th century, but starting sinking into the ground after only 3 stories were completed. It stood this way for 90 years and was finally completed by the son of Andreo Pisano, Tommano Simone and Giovanni de Simone almost 200 years after it was started.

Hillsides and Waysides

Part of the beauty and mystique of Tuscany is its countryside. The rolling hills that slope down to the coast are dotted with vineyards and villas. There are working farms and vacation villas suitable for the most adventurous tourists or those who demand first class accommodations. Tuscany car rentals allow tourists to explore each tiny village at their own pace and on their own schedule.

The Heart of Commerce

Emerging as a real business centre, Tuscany is home to thriving businesses in the furniture, leather, fashion, and manufacturing industries. These businesses keep the region in the 21st century while the people and culture keep one foot in the past.

If romance, tradition and culture are your idea of an ideal vacation, then Tuscany is for you. On the other hand if shopping and the face pace of a thriving city are your style then you will also find it in the Tuscany region of Italy.

Robert Carlton very often produces publications on news associated to tuscany tours and Tuscany car rental. You can come across his publications over at http://www.tuscany-italy-guide.com and other sources for Tuscany italy news.

Pompoochi Puppies Arrive In Britain: A Dog Breed For The Future?

There is a new dog breed to look out for. They are called Pompoochi's.

They certainly don't feature as a recognised dog breed either in the UK Dog Breeders Association, or the US AKC Dog Breeds official (or even unofficial) list.

They are just too new!

Some people think Pompoochies are hedgehogs, and others that they are baby bears!

Apparently the best that you can say is that they are bound to make the hearts of very many dog lovers melt. They look like little balls of fluff and feel like cotton wool.

We are told by the breeder that, "Small dogs are trendy at the moment so I thought I would have some fun trying to create a new breed. People will love them."

She is also reported to have added: "The Pompoochies are amazing. I worry that buzzards will eat them when they are in the garden. The people breeding Pompoochies are certainly very fashion conscious as they have named their own Pompoochi puppies after Paris Hilton!

But, we are also told that they are far cuter than her pet Chihuahua Tinkerbell. So there you are, Paris Hilton - obviously its time you bought a Pompoochi puppy as well!

So, all you high class socialites, you can throw away last season's designer handbag. These are the latest must-have doggy accessory, and these puppies are about to steal the heart of every self-respecting "It" girl, we are told.

Hey, come on, they might LOOK like a ball of fluff, but a Pompoochi is a real living breathing dog, with real feelings, and ultimately needs all the feeding, exercising, discipline and training needed by any dog.

So what exactly are they? Well, these Pompoochi puppies are in fact, three-way crossbreeds between a poodle, a chihuahua and a pomeranian - and the only ones in Britain.

At just eight inches tall when fully-grown, the teddy bear-like creatures are small enough for even the smallest of handbags.

They fit into the palm of a hand when born and look like hamsters.

Paris and Hilton - named after the socialite dog-lover - were born 12 weeks ago in a litter of four to a Poodle - Chihuahua mother and a pedigree Pomeranian father.

The breeder hopes to breed more soon. Apparently, she has found the response to these puppies to be fantastic, and they are so new that nobody in the UK knows what they are when they first see them.

Nevertheless, you can bet that many of them will be wanting their own Pompoochies for themselves as soon as they do!

You might think that the name Pompoochi is quite amusing.

But, it gets funnier. Wait until you hear this one.

Last year, breeder and pet-lover Fi crossed a rottweiler with a boxer to produce seven baby "roxxers".

Steve Last is a dog lover and creator of the Dog Lover's Compendium. Why not go to the http://www.dog-breeds.me.uk/html/pompoochi.html now, or see the breadth of content that the site has to offer at the http://www.dog-breeds.me.uk.