Florence, Tuscany’s capital, is a city of art, architecture and the fashion industry. The city played one of the leading roles in Europe in the Middle Ages, specifically between the years 1300 and 1500. Florence was successful in economy, culture and politics of Europe for almost 250 years. The city is now an interesting tourist destination for travellers who want to learn more about Italian art and the country’s traditional cuisine. The central part of the city has a population of 382,808, and the urban part has a population of 709,915 and an area of 102.40 square kilometres. Below travel tips will show you what you can see in Florence, the birthplace of Italian Renaissance and Modern art.
Florence is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and Renaissance art. With Renaissance artists, such as Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael, the city got works of art that later became the iconic works of the Italian Renaissance. Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze houses one of Michelangelo’s most famous sculpture works, namely the statue of David. The masterfully sculpted marble statue is 5.17 metres tall. There’s a bronze copy at Piazza Michelangelo in Florence designed by architect Giuseppe Poggi. The popular vantage point of travellers offers sunsets and a panoramic view of the city.
You can view Italian Renaissance art at the famous Uffizi Gallery which exhibits the works of Giotto, Filippo Lippi, Piero della Francesca, Mantegna, Botticelli, Correggio, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Caravaggio. The Uffizi building that now houses the gallery was built by Cosimo I de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany. He entrusted the job to Giorgio Vasari in order to join the administrative units scattered across the city. When planning the Uffizi building, Vasari designed the Vasari corridor that connects the Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery with the Palazzo Pitti over the Arno. The closed corridor dating back to 1565 is a tourist attraction and is simply a must-see.
You can experience the capital of Renaissance art and architecture without using public transport, since all parts of the city centre are quickly accessible. You can brighten up your trip to Florence with Lonely Planet and literature on the Italian tourist destination. Pocket Florence & Tuscany will introduce you to places where you can get a local Italian experience, try Chianti wine and get a taste of the traditional Tuscan cuisine, all this on 192 pages and 11 maps. Using the guide book, readers will discover city attractions, such as the Florence Cathedral, Piazza della Signoria, Santa Maria Novella, the Basilica di San Lorenzo, San Marco church and convent, the Basilica di Santa Croce, San Miniato al Monte, the Oltrarno neighbourhood and numerous other tourist attractions.
Lonely Planet’s Florence City Map can also be of help when exploring the city. It contains info about TOP tourist attractions, public transport lines, walking routes and practical travel tips with a list of streets and an address. Take a gondola ride down the Arno in the Florentine barchetto and learn about Florence’s history and culture with the help of a local guide. Marvel at beautiful city palaces and listen to the story of the mysterious Vasari corridor that connects the palaces of the northern and southern bank of the Arno. Relax and have a glass of wine on a traditional wooden boat, one of the four in the historical city.
A walk through the Boboli Gardens, which are located behind Palazzo Pitti, allows visitors to experience one of the earliest examples of Italian gardens. It was designed for the House of Medici and includes an artificial cave with walls that are decorated with various frescoes and sculptures, which were modelled after speleothems. There’s a tourist agency on the outskirts of Florence, namely in San Casciano and Val di Pesa, called Balloon Team Italy, which offers balloon flights where travellers can view castles and vineyards from an altitude of 6,000 metres. An hour-long flight offers an experience above the Tuscan landscape in a balloon steered by the gentle breeze coming from the sea. The offer includes insurance that’s compliant with the IACO requirements.
Enjoy the traditional Italian cuisine in a Florentine restaurant and spend the night in the company of three opera singers and listening to Italian arias and famous Neapolitan songs. The concert features arias from operas, such as Puccini, Verdi, Rossini and other Italian composers, and takes place at Santo Stefano al Ponte, where you can book your seat in advance. Create your own customised perfume in the Antica Spezieria Erboristeria San Simone shop and artisanal laboratory where you’ll learn how to make a perfume, learn about the history of Catherine de’ Medici, Queen of France, and perfumer René le Florentin. The perfume making course takes about two hours.
The capital of Tuscany is known for its numerous works of art as well as the typical medieval and modern architecture. The entire city is protected by UNESCO’s international convention concerning the protection of cultural and natural heritage. Cultural landmarks are the key parts of the urban part of the city, which has, thanks to its architecture, become a unique open-air museum. The Florentines have always created a unique culture that was different from the ones in other cities. In the first half of the 14th century, Florence became a metropolis with a population of 90,000, and a major European city, along with Venice, Milan, Naples and Paris. The city’s tourist industry flourished in the 20th century and now offers a unique experience to visitors.
There are events all throughout the year, which is why the city is interesting for travellers in all seasons. The peak of the high season lasts from March to July, which is when the Maggio Musicale Florentino takes place. It’s a music festival that combines modern music and opera. Each year, the Florentines organise a procession called Infiorata in order to honour the death of the Italian preacher Girolamo Savonarola on 23 May. People leave rose blooms in front of the Palazzo Vecchio at Piazza della Signoria in his memory, which is also where Savonarola was executed. The procession then continues towards the Vecchio bridge where people say a symbolic goodbye by throwing roses into the Arno.
A trip to the metropolis of Renaissance culture reveals a world of art and great artists who created the cultural heritage of Florence and Italy. The works of art, the architecture and the statues communicate the culture, values and traditions of the past as well as the present-day city and its inhabitants. If you’re wondering what to see when thinking about travelling to Florence, Italy, then Hostelling International Slovenia can help you with that. We offer articles on self-organised travelling that also offer tips for Florence and provide key information about the city, the metropolis of the Renaissance culture. Travel to your desired destinations, travel with Hostelling International Slovenia.
Wherever you go, your trip can be safe, with simple and customisable international travel insurance for solo travellers and families. Get travel insurance through World Nomads and get a policy with 24-hour assistance and transport for medical emergencies, as well as cover for more than 220 sports and leisure activities on snow, water, air and land. The insurance policy may include, among other things, coverage for experiential activities, such as au pairs – part-time or voluntary work with children, working in a bar, fruit picking, office work, teaching and some other work abroad. Protect yourself or your family with World Nomads travel insurance.
Copyright (©) 2010 - 2024 Youth Hostel | Our Privacy Policy | Cookies | | RPC
