Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is a living museum tucked into the rolling Tuscan hills. The capital of Tuscany is home to some of the world’s most recognizable architecture, world-class art galleries, and a deep cultural heritage that is thousands of years old. The city breathes history.
Firenze is a beautiful, walkable city and easily navigable as all roads lead to the historic city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Every stroll greets you with elaborate piazzas, ornate fountains, courtyards, gardens, and shops. Churches, basilicas, and convents surprise you with glorious mosaics, frescoes, and artworks by famous Florentine masters.
Walk the same streets as Leonardo Da Vinci, Botticelli, Brunelleschi, Michelangelo, and other great artists and innovators who helped to shape Renaissance Florence under the patronage of the Medici dynasty. All in one day you can see Michelangelo’s statue of David, marvel at Brunelleschi’s Duomo, sip Chianti within sight of the Palazzo Vecchio, and shop for luxury leather goods, an industry that put medieval Florence on the map.
When it comes to dining, there is no shortage of traditional trattorias, haute cuisine, wine bars, and gelaterias. World-class chefs showcase how the simplest of Tuscan ingredients can be taken to innovative levels, while mom-and-pop ristorantes serve up heaps of classic pastas and pizzas. Sip on a glass of vino rosso in one of the lively cafés or seek out one of the many wine windows in the historic district.
Most of the year, Florence can be crowded, particularly in the cathedral zone. Make sightseeing easier by purchasing advance tickets for timed entry to the major sites. Florence is a direct two-hour train ride from Rome and has an international airport. Once there, follow our Florentine itinerary to be immersed in the cultural and culinary heritage of this dreamy city and the surrounding countryside.
