Travel Monday – Florence
Line BreakAuthor: Kathryn Frengs (139 Articles)
Travelfusion's Social Media Officer, I manage all of our online marketing and presence on Twitter, Facebook, our blog and more. I love my job!
There was something magical about my first (and so far only) trip to Italy. Until I visited, it remained a place of daydreams….a land full of ancient structures, cobbled streets and delicious food. Imagine my delight in discovering that Florence really was everything that I expected Italy to be. The city remains a fantastic place for a city break as it’s a reasonable distance and price from the UK. Take a long weekend to explore Florence, or use the city as your starting off point for a longer exploration of the amazing Tuscany region.
Photo credit: echiner1
Florence, or Firenze to locals, is the capital city of the gorgeous Tuscan region and is home to many things to do and see for both first-time visitors and seasoned travellers on another tour through Italy. Located on the banks of the winding River Arno, Florence is known for its architecture, world-famous museums and of course shopping and food!
Photo credit: alessandraelle
On a first-time visit to Florence, be sure to take the time to wander about and explore the city on foot. There are a host of walking and biking tours that leave from the city centre and these offer a good opportunity to get an overview of the city and what it has to offer. Stroll across the Medieval Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) to watch tourists haggling over jewellery prices with the vendors who have been offering their wares here for decades. The only bridge in the city that survived World War II intact, the Ponte Vecchio is an important part of any visit to Florence.
Photo credit: hsivonen
Another essential thing to do in Florence is visit some of its many art galleries and museums that house of of the most famous pieces in the world. Stop by the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world’s most renowned art museums that was built in the 1500s and became a place for the Medici family to display many of the commissioned pieces that they acquired during their prominence. Opened to the public in 1765, the Uffizi offers visitors the opportunity to step back in time and view all of the masterpieces acquired by the Medicis. Be sure to reserve your tickets in advance as this is Florence’s most popular tourist attraction and queues can be hours long.
Of course, any visit to Florence should also include seeing Michelangelo’s famous David statue that is located today in the Academia di Belle Arti. This 17-foot marble statue was sculpted by Michelangelo at the young age of 26, after he beat out Leonardo da Vinci and others to gain the commission of this piece. Like the Uffizi, this is one of Florence’s most visited spots so it’s best to prepare for a long wait.
Photo credit: Dan..
No discussion of a visit to Florence would be complete without mentioning the amazing selection of foods to be had in this city. Gelato shops are ubiquitous and offer the best frozen treats I’ve ever experienced. The outdoor markets are also numerous and offer a glimpse of locals and their shopping habits as well as a cheap alternative to dining in a restaurant. However, a requirement for any visit to this city is a meal in one of its many trattorias. Stop in, expect to be treated like family, and enjoy a delicious multiple-course meal and of course freely-flowing wine. The best ones I tried were off the proverbial “beaten path” and on some of the less-visited streets. Ask at your hotel for recommendations or strike out on your own to find your favourites!
Return flights from London to Florence this April start at only £53 – take this perfect opportunity for an authentic Italian experience!
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