Florence Travel

Overview
Florence has been long known as one of Italy's most beautiful cities, and its ties to the Renaissance are obvious as soon as one sets foot in the city. Brunelleschi's Duomo is the most apparent architectural wonder your eyes will meet upon entering the city, a piece of architecture that becomes more and more beautiful the closer you get to it. The Duomo is located in the Plaza del Duomo, just southeast of the train station. The Plaza del Duomo is the beginning of the city's center that stretches south to the river. This is the main tourist district, boasting the majority of preserved medieval and renaissance art and architecture. Florence's center is very compact and could likely be traversed from one side to the other in just a 30-minute walk.

Historical and Architectural Attractions
A trip to Florence would not be complete without a visit to the Duomo di Firenze. The beautiful cathedral and dome were designed by Brunelleschi during Europe's Renaissance, and a statue of Brunelleschi stands in front of the cathedral looking up at the dome. Another historical and architectural attraction is the Palazzo Vacchio, once Florence's city hall. The palace is now a gallery of fine art, and a replica of Michelangelo's Statue of David stands in front of the building's main door. In southern Florence you'll find the Ponte Vecchio stretching over the Arno River, the only bridge in the city that survived the Second World War. Finally, to see the tombs of such notable figures as Galileo, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Dante, visit the Santa Croce church.

Museum Attractions
If you want to spend a day visiting Florence's many museums, stop by the tourist office for a museum pass. There are different types of passes available, and a pass will prevent you from having to pay a cover charge at every museum you visit. Because of its role as one of the most artistic cities in Europe, Florence is covered in museums that showcase both art and history. Some of the city's most notable museums include Galleria degli Uffizi, Bargello, Accademia, and Museo dell'Opera del Duomo for art, and Pitti Palace and the Institute and Museum of the History of Science for history.

Nightlife
While the majority of Florence's big-name department stores are clustered in the city's center, there are many markets and vendors throughout Florence that offer much better deals. One notable shopping district is the Mercato Centrale, located north of the Plaza del Duomo. Most of the city's dining and drinking establishments are located within the city's center, offering many worldly cuisines as well as traditional Italian dishes. Florence is also world-renown for its signature wines. These can be purchased by the glass at most restaurants and bars or by the bottle at local wineries.