The breathtaking city of Florence, the capitol of Italy’s Tuscany region, is one of the leading historical spots in the country. Situated on the banks of the Arno River, Florence is nestled among groves of olive trees and the charming Italian vineyards that make this one of the loveliest areas in all of Italy. There are many overwhelming sites, such as the Basilica di Santa Croce, Santa Maria de Fiore, and the Piazza della Stazione, just to name a few. There are many other sites to see, restaurants to eat at, and shopping opportunities. Day or night, you will always find plenty to enjoy in Florence. Another benefit visiting Florence is that you can attend the many upcoming events in Florence.
Two of the biggest attractions that are a must see while in Florence, are the Piazza della Signoria, and Palazzo Vecchio. The largest and best-known square in the city, the Piazza della Signoria lies at the heart of the historical district. It also features an open-air sculpture exhibit, which is totally free to the public. If you love sculpture, be sure to visit the Loggia della Signoria where some of the most impressive examples, including a replica of Michelangelo’s David, are housed. Since the middle ages, Florence has been the political center of Italy. The Piazza, Florence’s town hall is here and among the sites that are open to the public are the elaborately decorated rooms and private apartments of the Palazzo Vecchio.
It’s always a challenge to decide which historical or cultural place of interest you should visit first. An enduring tourist favorite is the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. This extravagant Gothic cathedral, or duomo, as it is called in Italy, was started in 1296, and took almost two hundred years to build, consecrated back in 1436. The enormous cathedral can hold more than 20,000 people, and features Brunelleschi’s Dome, which is regarded as a masterpiece. You can even climb up those 463 steps and view the city from the top. With its exterior walls of white, green and pink marble, the cathedral also boasts a number of magnificently decorated doors and a wide variety of statues that are on public display.
A few more of the sites that must be included on your schedule are the Baptistery of John the Baptist, the Galleria degli Uffizi, and the Campanile, or bell tower. The purchase of a Florence City pass will help you to get the most out of your visit to wonderful Florence Italy and allow you to see all the magnificent sites. With this pass you can not only visit the historic and cultural attractions, but you also can avoid the lone queues of tourists and gain immediate entrance into the sites. It’s possible to book tours online for the Accademia Gelleri and the Uffizi galleries at a very reasonable price - about $100 for the entire tour. There are many more to choose from.
You may want to consider renting a vacation property for your trip, so that you can relax and enjoy your stay to the fullest. They have complete kitchen facilities, and all you have to do is buy and cook food. Because of this, you have a golden opportunity to mingle with the natives while you are shopping local stores and markets.