Always one of the most fascinating cities in the world, Florence was the cradle of the Renaissance and the world capital of art in the fifteenth century. It boasts one of the historic centers and some of the most famous museums in the world. In Florence everything is spectacular: from the shops to the streets that lead to the hills immediately behind the most touristic areas, from the more genuine and popular districts, which arise just outside the historic centre, to the monuments that tell of its soul.
The majestic city of Florence conquers with its famous museums, its architectural treasures, historic churches, art galleries full of masterpieces, romantic bridges that cross the Arno.
The same banks of the Florentine river offer splendid views. And all around, the magical Tuscan hills.
Here there is not only an artistic heritage without or almost no comparison in the world, but there is also a very noble and varied one Tuscan food and wine tradition.
What to see and do in Florence
The city is home to one of the most famous museums in the world, the Uffizi Gallery . It is the most important gallery of the Italian Renaissance and houses, among other works, the famous Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli. If you come to Florence you cannot miss a guided tour of this museum, which attracts billions of tourists from all over the world every year. Another museum, smaller but world famous, is the Galleria dell'Accademia , where you can observe and admire the original of Michelangelo's David up close.
Florence hosts many churches rich in art and history. In addition to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Duomo) with its bell tower by Giotto and the Cupolone, one of the most famous churches is the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella . With a visit with a private guide inside the latter you can discover historical works of art such as the Trinity by Masaccio, the Crucifix by Filippo Brunelleschi, the frescoes by Domenico del Ghirlandaio, the cross painted by Giotto and more noble chapels and medieval frescoes and Renaissance. Near the Basilica you can visit the Antica Officina Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, where you will see frescoes from the ancient convent, the Pharmacist's office and smell perfumes that smell of history. Here it is also possible to buy some of the historical products of the workshop: Santa Maria Novella water, the Medici elixir and a red liqueur, Alkermes, produced since the Middle Ages by the Dominican friars of Santa Maria Novella.
In Florence you can also visit the places inhabited and frequented in the past by the most famous family of the city, the Medici . You will be able to find out more about Cosimo the Elder, Piero the Gouty, Lorenzo the Magnificent by visiting the Renaissance Palazzo de' i Medici and their famous family chapel, the Chapel of the Magi, frescoed by Benozzo Gozzoli in the 15th century. You will also be able to learn more about the Medici's enemy families, such as the Strozzi and the Pazzi, by visiting their palaces, discovering many gems and hidden stories that many do not know. Also visit the burial places of the Medici family, the Medici Chapels , located in the Basilica of San Lorenzo. Inside you will admire the Old Sacristy by Brunelleschi and Donatello, the New Sacristy designed by Michelangelo and the precious Treasure of San Lorenzo: sacred vestments and objects that belonged to the Medici, in particular to Pope Leo X.
Home of many famous artists, Florence hosts the home of one of the most famous in the world, Dante , where you can discover the secrets of the private and public life of the writer of the Divine Comedy. If you pass by Florence do not miss a tour of Dante's quarter with in-depth narration on the struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines, visit the only intact private tower house existing in Florence. You will discover the secrets and devices of the Tower House, which was a veritable war machine and prison.
Another feature that distinguishes the city of Florence is its amazing craftsmanship . In fact, along the narrow streets of Florence you will find many small shops that have made the city rich. Among the main productions there are products in leather, leather and precious and semi-precious metals. To fully experience the magic and culture of Florence, we recommend a tour of the Florentine workshops to see how the craftsmen of the past worked and how some still carry on this tradition today.
And last but not least, we remember the rich Florentine gastronomic tradition . Among the typical products that you can taste while visiting the city there are: the Lampredotto, a poor dish of the Florentine tradition based on meat, the Peposo, a kind of stew with a history linked to the factory of Brunelleschi's dome, the wines, the croutons , cheeses, cold cuts, and last but not least, ice cream!
