Poetic, bucolic and cultural, Florence alone represents more than a quarter of Italy's artistic heritage. Cradle of the Italian Renaissance, this city-museum, nestled in the heart of the rich region of Tuscany, is certainly one of the most dazzling in the entire "country of the boot". History buffs and epicureans alike will love wandering through the streets of the city known as "La Bella", discovering its most beautiful treasures scattered along the Arno River.
A real treat for the eyes and the taste buds, Florence is a jewel as only Italy has the secret. Whether you like museums or not, you are bound to find something to marvel at as you wander through its alleys, where the sweet scent of the Italian Renaissance floats. Mixing the grandiose and the historic, this capital of the "dolce vita" has lost none of its beauty over the centuries: to realize this, there is nothing like a walk in its unique setting. If there is a must-see in Florence, it is the famous Duomo district: the historical and tourist heart of the city, it houses the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, known for its Dome (or Duomo). This mythical dome, built by Filippo Brunelleschi, offers an incomparable panorama of the whole of Florence from its top. Although it's a bit of a challenge, the climb up the 463 stairs to the "Cupola di Brunelleschi" is well worth it! But Piazza del Duomo has other wonders to see within its perimeter, such as the Baptistery of St. John (Battistero) and its magnificent door decorated with scenes from the Bible, the Palazzo Vecchio and its Hall of the Five Hundred, Giotto's bell tower and the Piazza della Signoria. In Piazza della Signoria, head for the statue of "Il Porcellino": according to legend, touching the snout of this bronze boar will make you return to Florence one day, while if you throw a coin through its jaws, you will be happy. In this area of the Duomo you will find one of the most beautiful museums in the world: the Uffizi Gallery. This absolutely magnificent museum is home to Botticelli's "Birth of Venus" and "Spring", Paolo Uccello's "Battle of San Romano", but also works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo. It is therefore natural that it attracts many tourists from all over the world every year, so we advise you to book your tickets to avoid queuing for hours in front of the museum. The Galleria dell'Accademia is also worth a visit for its statue of "David" made by Michelangelo, as well as for its splendid religious paintings and its collections of ancient instruments. Near the Accademia, the neighborhood of San Marco is also worth a visit: with its convent known for its frescoes and its Palazzo Medici Riccardi, famous for its historical paintings, it also houses some of the greatest wonders of Tuscan art.
If there is another place not to be missed during your stay, it is the Ponte Vecchio: the most famous bridge of what was once called Firenze, the Ponte Vecchio has its origins in the early 14th century. It is the oldest stone bridge in Europe, and dazzles onlookers with its small colored houses suspended along its stones. Today, like the Pont des Arts in Paris, the Ponte Vecchio is adorned with numerous padlocks, hung by couples to seal their love. Tip: for beautiful pictures of the Ponte Vecchio, we recommend you to go to the Ponte Santa Trinita just in front.
For a breathtaking view, day or night, of the whole of what was once the city of the Medici, we recommend climbing up to the church of San Miniato al Monte: if this building is one of the most beautiful of Tuscan Romanesque art thanks to its white and green marble, it also offers its visitors a beautiful perspective of all of Florence. The landscape is equally beautiful from Piazzale Michelangelo, famous for its sunsets with the mountains as a backdrop. The magnificent church of Santa Croce, the Giardino di Boboli between Palazzo Pitti and Porta Romana, the Basilica of San Lorenzo and its market, as well as the Bargello Palace, the Galileo Museum on the banks of the Arno River, the three Medici chapels and the church of Orsanmichele are also on the list of sites to visit during your stay in the elegant Florence. And if you're a bit of a wanderer, don't hesitate to go to Pisa, located only 85 kilometers away: you won't regret it!
Finally, on hot summer days, take a break from the gelato, stroll through the Mercato Centrale to discover the rich flavors of Tuscany, taste delicious Florentine dishes such as "ribollita", "lampredotto", "pappa al pomodoro", "bistecca" or "pappardelle sulla lepre" accompanied by a glass of Chanti... And don't forget to taste delicious pizzas: you are in Italy after all!