FABULOUS FLORENCE holidays (FIRENZE)

Florence is the perfect city break destination for lovers of art and architecture, with its museums, palaces, churches and galleries housing great works of art. Often thought as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence was one of the wealthiest cities in medieval times, which is reflected in its artistic treasure trove. 

• Ideal City Break
• Art & Architecture
• Fantastic Shopping

Florence offers so much more than its art culture though, with beautiful city gardens, bridges, fantastic shopping and excellent food and wine. This capital city of the Tuscany region of Italy is easily walkable, with most of its medieval squares and streets car free. What more can you ask for?

Fancy a city break to Florence? Or several weeks hiring a car and exploring Tuscany? Or even an escorted tour around the region.  Start your Florence holiday.

WHY VISIT FLORENCE?

1. Art Culture

World famous Uffizi gallery houses paintings by top Renaissance painters such as Raphael, Michelangelo and Rubens. Go to the Bargello museum for Italy’s finest Renaissance sculptures. Michelangelo’s famous David is in Galleria dell’ Accademia. The private chapels in Cappelle Medicee contain Michelangelo’s funerary sculptures. The Franciscan church, Santa Croce, has Giotto frescoes and is where Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli are buried.

2. Architecture

Piazza del Campo, with its palaces and eateries, is a fabulous medieval square but rather
expensive! Piazza Santo Spirito has a lively vibe day and night. Stroll along Ponte Vecchio
Bridge, over the River Arno, dating from the Roman times. Shops started appearing on it in the
14th century and today there are jewellers and goldsmiths.

3. Viewpoints / Gardens

For super viewpoints of the city, climb the 414 steps of the 85 metre high Campanile, the beautiful bell tower probably designed by Giotto. The Cathedral, Duomo, with its vast brick dome designed by Brunelleschi in 1418, and an interior with frescoes of the Last Judgement, has stunning views but the climb up the 463 steps is tricky.

The Piazzale Michelangelo viewpoint created in 1869 by Guiseppe Poggi is worth the climb. The Boboli Gardens are the perfect place to relax and have a picnic on its lawns and explore its statues, museum and ponds.

4. Food and Drink

Florence is one of Italy’s food capitals ...rich, simple flavours using fresh ingredients are the key. Try Bistecca alla Fiorentina, grilled beef steak cooked with herbs and olive oil or Panzanella, a summer salad. For dessert, almond biscuits or gelato...Florence is considered by many to be its birthplace! The Tuscany region is famous for its wines, with famous reds such as Chianti and Brunello waiting to be enjoyed.

5. Shopping and markets

For luxury designer stores and brands, or a spot of window shopping, head to Via dei
Tornabuoni. Leather goods made by artisans are a great souvenir as are perfumes, ceramics
and luxury paper products. The market near St Lorenzo church, is popular.

Explore further afield into TUSCANY

1. Take a day trip to the medieval village of SIENA. The stunning Duoma, or Gothic Cathedral, contains many works of art.
2. Visit LUCCA with its Romanesque cathedral and medieval buildings and nearby PISA with its leaning tower.
3. Find time for picturesque SAN GIMIGNANO and go inside the Collegiata with its medieval
frescoes.
 

Start your holiday to Florence today.

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