Florence Holidays 2012

Florence is the cultural gem of Tuscany, with its Renaissance architecture, galleries, art and of course shopping.

What to See

History

Museums abound in Florence, with the Uffizi chief among them. Here you can see Boticelli's The Birth of Venus; remember that they accept cash only at the gate so make sure you have the fee ready! The Bargello has many fine sculptures on exhibit from Donatello, Michelangelo, Sansovino, and Rosselino. The Pitti Palace is the ancient Medici family palace where you can take in the cool gardens and a great view of the city.

The Santa Maria Del Fiore is an awe inspiring cathedral, and the Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge to survive the destruction of World War 2. If you want a view of the entire city, check out the Piazzale Michelangelo; best viewed at night where you can enjoy the lights of Florence reaching into the sky.

What to Do

Learn like a Tuscan

Classes abound in Florence and you should take advantage of them. The first is cooking; learn to cook traditional Tuscan cuisine in a historical villa's kitchen. You can also learn to traditional glass bead making in a Lamp Work Workshop; a nice skill to have and a fun way to relax after a long day of sightseeing, you'll have your own souvenir to bring back home with you.

Pamper Yourself

There are many day spas in Florence, but the most well-known is the Impruneta's Spa. Here you can relax in a thermal spring and enjoy the heat.

Shopping

The best goods and prices are offered around the city centre, and you can find Florentine gold inlay paper. One thing to keep in mind though is if you are going to buy from street vendors, don't buy anything with a brand name on it. The fines for buying counterfeit items are high (up to €10,000 in some cases!) but as long as it's label or brand free, you won't get in trouble.

Dining and Drinking

Oil Shoppe is the best choice for a quick and inexpensive bite to eat. al Tranvai offers great food and is far from the touristy spots so you can enjoy your food without dealing with people shouting in English. For desert, be sure you get a Gelato, the traditional Italian treat.

When drinking, ask for the local or house Chianti, which is usually good, cheap, and plentiful. Enoteca Le volpi e l'Uva has a great wine tasting menu, Bebop is livelier with different cover bands, and Ambrosia is more posh but has great wine and cheese tasting menus.