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Florence Tours & Travel Guide
A bustling city with endless things to do and see, Florence is a must stop on most Italy tours. Impressive art museums, including the Galleria dell'Accademia where the original David statue can be seen, classic Italian piazzas, and churches give no end of sightseeing possibilities.
A multitude of popular day trips all leave from Florence making it a hub for tourists and locals alike. Or if you're exhausted from tourist activities, it's the perfect city to grab a delicious gelato and sit in a cafe, just watching the world go by.
Florence is an ideal city to explore by foot. As you walk across the Arno river and up the hill to Piazza Michelangelo, you will be rewarded with a spectacular vista of red-tiled rooftops. The Boboli Gardens is another great spot for views and picnicking. Northeast of Florence by a short bus ride, the Etruscan village of Fiesole will also take your breath away with its vantage point high above the city.
Renaissance churches offer peace and tranquility, and a respite from the heat, depending on the season you visit Florence. Gaze in wonder at frescos, sculptures, and intricate tile work. The San Minato al Monte is one church in particular that will transport you back in time.
Located near the Piazza Michelangelo, the monks that live in the church have regularly scheduled hours of Gregorian chanting. The sound is beautiful and haunting (and maybe a little bit reminiscent of Monty Python and the Holy Grail...), and definitely work taking the time to go appreciate.
While renaissance buildings and art is what Florence is primarily known for it, there is also a significant number of preserved medeival features in the city. Just one fo these is the Palazzo Vecchio. The 13th century palace's exterior is strikingly different from the whimsical and colorful fronts of renaissance churches, it is dark, sharp, and fortified -- clearly a medeival building.
Another stunning example of medeival architecture is the Cappella dei Pazzi. Finished in 1446, this building serves the dual purpose of a tomb for the Pazzi family, and a chapterhouse for Franciscan monks. It is located in the Piazza Santa Croce, an extensive religious facility, well known for its grand church. To learn more about the compound's fascinating history, go on a historic sightseeing tour in Florence.
High-end shopping abounds in Florence, but you are likely to have a richer experience by visiting the numerous markets with vendors selling leather goods, souvenirs, household goods, fresh produce, and antiques. San Lorenzo Market is the most popular, but there are markets throughout the city, offering a great reason to explore.
It’s nearly impossible to visit Florence and not try gelato at least once (a day)! Popular shops are everywhere from Il Duomo to Santa Croce to Piazza Michelangelo. A few of the more traditional shops serve gelato only in cups with miniature shovel-esque spoons.
A perfect night in Florence might just be spent sitting in and outdoor cafe, sipping wine, eating a freshly tossed salad, homemade pasta, or a cracker-thin pizza. Linger and take in the sights and sounds of this historical, magical city.
I had been on a couple Intrepid trips and I had been to Italy a couple of times... however this was the best time that I've had on either. Really a great group with...
The trip was very well planned and organized. I could not have seen or done as nearly as much on my own. Our leader Kent Benson was excellent. He kept us on trac...
This Highlights of Italy trip was our third trip with Intrepid. Our Italy trip did not disappoint. The combination of locations, tour guide and experiences were fant...
Our guide, Kent Benson, was wonderful. He was a wealth of information about...
the group was too big. in busy rail stations it was easy to get left behind
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