What to see in Florence?
It would probably take two months to visit the infinite beauties of this city, but there are definitely some visits you can’t do without!
- Piazza del Duomo: the locals say “ if you haven’t seen Piazza del Duomo, you haven’t seen Florence!”. Considered a real open-air museum, where you can admire the Cathedral of S. Maria del Fiore, Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Campanile, the Baptistery of S. Giovanni, the Crypt of S. Reparata and the Museum of the Opera del Duomo.
- Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens: with a breathtaking setting, the Boboli Gardens are also considered a real open-air museum. Guided tours are available for not to miss any detail of this Palace, where culture, art, beauty continue every day to enchant anyone lucky enough to visit it.
- Museum of Palazzo Vecchio: it is considered one of the most important examples of civil architecture in the XIV century.
- Uffizi and Accademia Gallery: the Uffizi museum is, as well as the Vatican Museum in Rome, the most visited Italian museum in the world. Here you will find the legendary Venus of Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation. Just like the Uffizi Gallery, the Accademia hosts priceless masterpieces created by renowned artists (just think of Michelangelo’s David ), famous all over the world.
- Dante Museum: now the home of the great poet is a three floor museum, which traces the art, the politics and culture of medieval Florence.
Where to stay in Florence?
Whether you prefer accommodation near the historic centre, or in the countryside, Florence puts different types of structures available for your needs. The accommodation facilities are varied, and different considering the sort of budget you want to spend. Quite cheap, clean and welcoming properties are the holiday homes scattered in the Tuscan capital: ancient monasteries, now restructured and managed by nuns and other religious orders, will welcome you as home, offering you B&B service, half board or full board depending on their availability or your needs. They are characterful places, full of culture and history, where you can relax and enjoy a little of Tuscan peace. Many of them also have a Chapel inside, usually available for the guests, where you can attend Mass, or take some time to reflect and pray.
What to eat in Florence?
For those who heard of Florence, and its cuisine, have certainly heard of Fiorentina: the steak that all meat lovers should taste at least once in their life! Florentine cuisine, however, like all Italian cuisine in general, is very varied and tasty, capable of satisfying the most difficult of palettes, with simple dishes full of tradition.
The whole city is full of restaurants, but, if you want to enjoy it, the real Florentine experience, you have to go to the “ Osterie” and “ Trattorie”, where the typical cuisine is best expressed with one culinary tradition passed from generation to generation, always accompanied by local wine, produced in the numerous Tuscan vineyards, also, famous all over the world.
How to get around Florence?
The Florence-Peretola Airport, also known as Amerigo Vespucci airport, is not much away from the Tuscan capital. Distance from the center: 10km (20-35 min) - by taxi (24-35 min) - by bus (BusItalia Nord service) - by tram (Peretola line 20 min). Once you arrive in the city it will be easy to move on foot (the historic centre is only walkable), or by bus (there are 85 daytime lines that connect the centre with the various peripheral areas and some lines night active from 22.00 to 02.00 where online reservations are recommended)
Useful tips
If you are thinking of renting a car in Florence, you need to consider the presence of paid parking in almost all Florentine areas (€2 euros per hour). If you don’t like walking, there is always another alternative: by bicycle. The city offers various shops with rental bikes, with affordable prices.
