The birthplace of the renaissance, there is no place on earth like Florence. This romantic city is a UNESCO heritage site, the capitol of Tuscany and haven for art and architecture. Many of the famous renaissance artists and architects such as Filippo Brunelleschi, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo Da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, Giotto and Dante Alighieri studied, worked or lived Florence.
WHAT TO SEE
The Florence Catherdral or Duomo di Frienze towers above much of the cities Architecture and is a magnificent feat engineering and artistry. Until recently the dome was one of the larges in the world engineered by Brunelleschi who used a herringbone brick pattern layered on top of a masonry shell to construct the enormous structure. Other attractions include the Ponte Vechio, a medieval stone bridge that stretches over the Arno River. This charming bride is lined with shops now predominately selling gold and silver jewellery pieces. The nearby Ufizzi Gallery home to some of the greatest renaissance art pieces is one of the oldest galleries in Europe. Palazzo Vecchio is the town hall of Florence and looks over the Piazza Della Signoria. A trip to Florence would not be complete without seeing the famous Statue of David by Michelangelo at the Galleria Dell Accademia. There are various parks and gardens to visit in Florence and lets not forget Tuscany itself.
WHAT TO EAT
There are so many local restaurants and cafes serving Florentine cuisine as well as delis and small supermarkets. There is also a local markets Mercato Centrale, in the San Lorenzo area, where you can purchase fresh produce, cheeses, wine, cured meats and fruits at low cost. You could even opt to enjoy a picnic with these items at the Giardino delle rose which is a garden park in the Oltrarno district of Florence
TRANSPORT
Most of the city you can see on foot. To arrive at Florence you could travel by train direct from Rome or Venice it is about a 2 hour journey, alternatively you can drive.
