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Guide to Florence, Italy
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Florence Florences, or /Firenze//s/, cultural and historical impact on the world is incredible. With artistry and public art wherever you roam, throughout the city you will find priceless works: the frescoes, the sculptures, and the paintings. Walking around one of the most beautiful and ornate cities in the world, from Piazza della Signoria to the gardens of Boboli, gives you a sense of being in the art mecca of the world. You may even find yourself treading softly, trying not to disturb the creations all around.
When to go:
The ideal times to visit Florence, Italy, would be in late spring or early autumn. The weather is beautiful, and much more pleasant than the beating sun of mid-summer, and there are fewer tourists. Also, prices are lower. Winter is nice too, if you dont mind a little chill here and there, and there are even fewer tourists than in the low seasons of spring and autumn.
Getting there and around:
If youre flying international to Florence, you may be discouraged by the great distance the airport is from the city (about 80 minutes away by direct train). This is the fastest way of getting to the city too, so no taxi or bus will get you there more quickly. Florence Airport, however, is very close to the city, and serves all domestic flights to Florence. If youre flying in from around Europe, you should have no problem getting into Florence in no time.
Getting around the city can be tricky. In the city centre, traffic is restricted, so a car will prove useless, and even if renting a car is possible, we dont encourage you to make that choice. Buses are available throughout most of the city, but if one is not around, you can always find a taxi. Both of these choices provide less hassle, and ask less of your budget.
Attractions:
Attractionswhere do we start? You can start at the Bargello Museum, or the Piazza della Signoria, or even Pitti Palace. Youll be awed by the majestic beauty of nearly all the sights in Florence. Lets start at the Bargello Museum though.
At the museum you will find Italys most comprehensive range of sculpture both medieval and Renaissance. Youll find /Bacchus/ by Michelangelo, Donatellos /David/, items of Brunelleschis, and Giambolognas /Mercury/. Of course you will find many, many more jaw-dropping pieces here, and youll find them all encompassed in a building which once was a prison, a torture prison to be exact.
Florences Duomo is a beautiful cathedral topped by a red-tiled dome. Its a feast for the eyes, on the outside as well as the inside. Everyone in Florence refers to the cathedral as Duomo, however, it is more respectably known as Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. It is in fact the worlds fourth largest cathedral, so yes, you will be amazed at its greatness, and yes, you can see the cathedral from nearly any spot in the city. Construction started in 1296, and took about 150 years to complete. There is also information here that shows that the cathedral before this one was so incredibly miniscule in comparison to cathedral that replaced it and still standing
You cant visit Florence without taking an afternoon to enjoy the Piazza della Signoria. Tourists flock to this part of the city throughout the year, simply for relaxation, or spending time in one of the many restaurants while viewing the sculptures (which are replicas) around the piazza.
Pitti Palace may not be the most sought out place in Florence, almost never topping any to-see list. However, it is a marvel designed by Brunelleschi commissioned by the Pitti family (rivals of the Medicis, who controlled Florence for centuries), and its size is the first aspect you will focus on. It may even seem intimidating to stand beside for some. The especial importance to this landmark is not about architecture, but about art. The massive collection displayed throughout the palace is extraordinary, and youll find yourself easily whiling away the hours observing the pieces from room to room (and there are many, many rooms). You can take a stroll to the rear of the palace, where youll find the Boboli Gardens. Beautifully landscaped and holding the works (pools, fountains, etc.) you can walk further down the Via del Belvedere to Piazzale Michelangelo, where youll see views of Florence second to none.
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