Florence – a must-see city

If you're interested in art, history or beauty, then this Italian city in Tuscany, which blossomed under the Medici family who ruled Florence for three centuries from the 12th century as an independent state, is a bucket list must.

It houses priceless Renaissance treasures such as Michelangelo's massive marble statue of David in the Accademia, and in the legendary Uffizi Gallery, masterpieces by Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci.
And one of the great things about Florence is that most of the major sights are within a small area that you can walk around in half an hour.
From the spectacular Duomo (the 4th largest church in the world) and the 13th century Ponte Vecchio crammed with jewellers’ shops hanging over the River Arno, to the Mercato Centrale (the cheapest bars and some of the best food in town) and the ultra modern new opera house, Florence is literally at your feet.

And one of the great things about Florence is that most of the major sights are within a small area that you can walk around in half an hour.

And the shopping, aah! Window-shop in the classy boutiques but buy your leather bags and jackets at the informal leather market just off the main square.

Or visit the Gucci Museum and see vintage handbags with bamboo handles, Gucci memorabilia, gorgeous red carpet gowns, art, fashion and much more.

Then sip a grappa or coffee on the museum’s open-air rooftop café with views over one of Florence's prettiest piazzas.

And be sure to rub the medieval boar's nose for good luck!

 

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