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Florence, Italy
Florence is a small city in the Arno River valley and is surrounded by olive-planted hills on the north and south. Its chapels, galleries and museums are an endless treasure capturing the complex, often elusive, spirit of the Renaissance.
When making a visit to Florence, planning is extremely important. Most visitors go to the city with a common purpose, to spend hours viewing and absorbing the beauty and wonder of Florentine works of art and architecture. However, trying to pack too much into a single, brief visit can result in cultural overload.
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 The Baptistery of San Giovanni
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+39 055 2302885
Piazza San Giovanni
50129 Florence
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The Baptistery is a masterpiece of architecture with eight equal sides and a rectangular addition on one of the sides. It offers a surprise and a challenge for tourist and scholar alike. It is believed to be the oldest building in Florence dating back to Roman times.
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The Cathedral (Duomo)
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The dome of the Cathedral is a distinctive feature of Florence's skyline and the building was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio. Another key feature of the building are the splendid stained glass windows. The Cathedral Museum houses famous statues from the former facade, from the interior and from the campanile, and manuscripts from the cathedral's possession.
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Mercato Nuovo
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Via Porta Rossa
50122 Florence
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Built in the 16th century, the Mercato Nuovo is an open air market where numerous vendors offer up belts, scarves, leather goods, embroidered linens, souvenirs and straw hats. Pay special attention the the boar statue located near the market. It's believed that if you rub the snout of the statue, you will return to Florence.
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Galleria dell'Accademia
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+39 041 5200345
Via Ricasoli 58-60
50122 Florence
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Founded in 1784, the Galleria dell'Accademia hosts a collection of sculptures and paintings including one of the most important, and visited, works, Michelangelo's David. Paintings on display include works from 3rd and 4th centuries, as well as 15th and 16th centuries.
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Galleria degli Uffizi
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+39 055 2388651
Loggiato degli Uffizi, 6
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Being one of the world's greatest public museums, you'll find a comprehensive collection of Italian paintings, as well as a large collection of classic Roman sculptures. The gallery contains works by Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio and Botticelli.
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