Florence trip planner

A guide to help you plan the perfect vacation in Florence, Italy, hometown of the Renaissance

Firenze

So you say you want some Renaissance, eh? Well how about Michelangelo's David for starters?

Then we can move on to Giotto's frescoes in Santa Croce, or maybe Brunelleschi's massive, ingenious dome over the Duomo (cathedral).

And let's not forget the Uffizi Galleries, the world's mightiest congregation of Renaissance paintings, with highlights like Botticelli's Birth of Venus and Leonardo da Vinci's Annunciation.

Birthplace of the Renaissance

Florence was the cradle of the Renaissance. From the late 14th through late 16th centuries in Florence, an era of humanist thought, classical ideals initiated a creative boom that resounded throughout Europe, rang the death knell of the Middle Ages, and would eventually come to be called the Renaissance, a "rebirth" of culture, thought, art, and music.

It helped that the 15th century saw the ascendancy of a powerful ruling family called the Medici, who—in addition to being great savvy and even better politicians—also happened to be great lovers of art and patrons of literature, philosophy, and science.

Florence beyond the museums

However, Florence doesn't force you to stick to the Renaissance 24 hours a day—though it might sometimes fell that way as you make your way from one world-class art museum to the next, filling in the gaps with countless fresco-bedecked churches.

Florence is still Italy, and therefore a master at living la dolce vita. When you're art-sick and museum-weary, treat yourself to a Tuscan feast with copious quantities of Chianti wine from the hills around Florence. Or delve into the medieval heart of the city that gave birth to Dante and Boccaccio, two of Europe's great early poets.

Shop 'til you drop on high fashion and fine leather in the city that brought the world Gucci, Pucci, Ferragamo, and Beltrami. Pisa and its Leaning Tower and Tuscan hill towns like Siena and San Gimignano all lie within easy day trip distance. Or just relax in the Boboli Gardens and let the green hills and lazy sunshine inspire you to write your own poetry or paint your own Renaissance.

Spend at least two days here, three if you can swing it, a lifetime if you can.

Top Sights 1) Uffizi Galleries 2) The Duomo 3) Piazza della Signoria 4) The Accademia (David) 5) San Lorenzo leather market 6) Ponte Vecchio 7) Bargello 8) Pitti Palace 9) Santa Croce 10) Santa Maria Novella	Top 10 lists Top 10 sights in Florence Top 10 experiences in Florence Top 10 masterpieces in Florence Top 10 museums in Florence Top 10 free things in Florence Top 10 churches in Florence Top 10 hotels in Florence Top 10 dining experiences in Florence Top 10 shopping opportunities in Florence Top 10 Florentines you need to know Top 10 sidetrips Top 10 visitor tips	Reid's List 1) Museo dell'Opera del Duomo 2) A day in Fiesole 3) Lunch at I Fratellini 4) Dinner at Il Latini 5) Take a half-day cooking class 6) Have a cheese and wine tasting at Pitti Gola 7) Visiting San Miniato al Monte 8) The Brancacci Chapel of SM della Carmine 9) The Procession of the Magi in the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi 10) Food tour or cooking course
Top hotels 1) Pensione Maria Luisa de' Medici [€€] 2) Hotel Torre di Bellosguardo [€€€€€] 3) Hotel Palazzo Niccolini al Duomo [€€€€] 4) Residenza del Proconsolo [€€] 5) Hotel de' Lanzi [€€] 6) Hotel Torre Guelfa [€€€] 7) Hotel Monna Lisa [€€€€] 8) Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti [€€€] 9) Hotel Morandi alla Crocetta [€€€] 10) Grand Hotel Cavour [€€€]	Top dining experiences 1) Il Latini 2) La Giostra 3) I Fratellini 4) Acqua Al 2 5) Le Mossacce 6) Trattoria Antichi Cancelli 7) Da Mario 8) Da Nerbone 9) A picnic fit for a Medici 10) Gelato	Planning FAQ • Getting to Florence • Florence itineraries • Getting around Florence • Florence tours • Florence city layout • Florence tourist offices • Florence hotels • Florence sights to book ahead • Florence guidebooks, fun books, & films • Top 10 Florence tips

Tourist info:
Via Cavour 1R
tel. +39-055-290-832
www.firenzeturismo.it

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This material was last updated February 2011. All information was accurate at the time.

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