Florence is synonymous with art.  At the heart of the Italian Renaissance, this city’s major galleries and museums house extraordinary collections of priceless masterpieces by history’s greatest.  Florence’s historical centre is small, and a pleasure to explore on foot, giving visitors the chance to admire the magnificent architecture - among the greatest ever created.  The Florentine dialect was adopted as the Italian national language, and its cuisine is among the most popular in the world.  The surrounding hills produce fine wines and olives, and are just a taste of the spectacular Tuscan and Umbrian countryside beyond.   

See:

• Il Duomo – This enormous cathedral’s intricate exterior is a stark contrast to its relatively plain interior.  The frescos inside the dome, and the dome itself are remarkable.  
• Ponte Vecchio – The only bridge in Florence not destroyed by fleeing German troops in WW2, it is now covered with jewellery shops. 
• Palazzo Vecchio – Overlooking the Piazza della Signoria, the town hall of Florence and its surrounds are filled with remarkable sculptures from Ancient Rome and the Renaissance.

Experience:

• Uffizi Gallery – One of the oldest art museums in the world, it houses a massive collection of masterpieces.
• Palazzo Pitti – Across the Ponte Vecchio, this large art gallery was originally the residence of a wealthy banker.  The adjoining Boboli Gardens are a popular attraction, with spectacular views over the Florentine skyline.
• Accademia dell’Arte del Disegno – The first academy of drawing in Europe, its gallery now houses Michelangelo Buonarroti’s Davide – a masterpiece of the Renaissance, and perhaps the most recognisable statue in the world. 

Secrets of the City:

• Stendhal Syndrome – When visiting Florence in 1817, the French author suffered symptoms such as dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and confusion resulting simply from being so overwhelmed by the city’s beauty.  Many years later, this reaction to immense beauty was named after him, and some 100 cases per year are treated in Florence. 
• Façade of Duomo – Although construction of this massive cathedral began in 1296, the façade seen today was only designed and built in the late 19th century, prior to which it was bare.