The capital of Tuscany, Florence rose to prominence in the Renaissance due to the influence of families like the Medici, whose money fueled the artistic activity behind some of the world’s great masterpieces. Now an international hotbed for fashion and fine dining, Florence is dressed to impress with its stunning collections of art, architecture and restaurants. Visitors can lose themselves amongst crowds of chic Florentines and experience the best that Italy has to offer.
A Walking Tour
- Florence presents a walker’s paradise, with vehicles banned around the city’s most famous landmarks. The Piazza della Signoria provides an ideal starting point for a day of exploration. This famous square resides at the center of Florence’s historic district and contains an open-air sculpture museum. No visitor to Florence should miss the city’s most renowned cathedral, Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore. Also known as Il Duomo, this iconic building features the largest brick dome in the world. Wandering couples should make the time for a romantic stroll over Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s oldest bridge and a popular site for wedding proposals.
Premier Galleries
- Art has provided Florence’s primary claim to fame for centuries. Uffizi Gallery resides at the top of many visitors’ lists. One of the oldest museums in the world, Uffizi contains masterpieces by da Vinci, Botticelli, Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio. The Galleria dell'Accademia, most famous as the home of Michelangelo’s “David,” has a notable collection of other artworks including pieces from Botticelli. Palazzo Medici Riccardi, one of the city’s largest gallery spaces, occupies the former estate of the Medici family and displays traveling exhibitions along with an extensive permanent collection.
Things to Do and Hear
- Florence offers more than just cathedrals and art museums. Famed jewelry-maker Alessandro Dari maintains an open workshop near the Ponte Vecchio. Guests can purchase his pieces, observe the crafting process and even enroll in day-long classes. If your artistic tastes include a love of music, you will want to catch an authentic Italian opera. St. Mark’s English Church offers regular operas at reasonable prices. For a low-key excursion, Piazza della Santissima Annunziata provides free outdoor jazz programs during the summer months. Visitors who want to stretch their legs can spend hours in exploration of Bardini Gardens, which has stunning views of the city from its many terraces.
Tuscan Dining
- Tuscany prides itself on its food, and Florence provides the best place to sample ribollita, pici and the wild game dishes that form the basis of the regional cuisine. Floretine steak, a massive cut of locally sourced beef, is a local favorite and best experienced at a restaurant like Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco. Osteria Tornabuoni offers excellent Tuscan cuisine, with lamb ragu and purple artichoke risotto. The owners of Lungarno 23 maintain their own Chianina cattle, which they use for one-of-a-kind burgers. Visitors who want to enjoy the Florentine evenings with a cocktail should check out Piazza di Santo Spirito, a hip bar district with several offerings.
