"Ahhhhhh Firenze!" Florence by Callavetta

Florence Travel Guide: 5,085 reviews and 11,271 photos

The Home of the Renaissance

When I first happend on Irving Stone's wonderful The Agony and the Ecstasy I became obsessed with the idea of visiting Italy. And more specifically, with the thought of prowling through Firenze. And now, after three visits, it's a City that still does not disappoint.

I think one could spend a lifetime in Florence and never run out of things to see. It seems to me to be a very livable city. Not nearly as large and intimidating as it's big brothers, Roma or Milano, there are more museums than the average tourist could hope to see in one visit. The Uffici (Italian for offices which this building used to contain) and the Accademia, housing the fabulous David, are the most famous. The Museo Opera Duomo is my personal favorite, housing the original bronze facades of the doors of the Bapistry, called the Doors to Heaven by Michaelangelo.

And then there is the FOOD. And the WINE. And the SHOPPING. And the PEOPLE. And the Views.......

Ahhhhhh Firenze! I must go look at airfares right now.

An Embarrassment of Riches

Botticelli's Birth of Venus in the Ufizzi Gallery

Florence is just stuffed with world class museums. The casual visitor is seriously in danger of museum overload very quickly here. For this reason (and about a hundred more) it's essential to return to Florence often.

If I had to pick the two most famous works that are represented everywhere in Florence, it would be David and The Birth of Venus. You will find them all over the place; postcards, calendars, posters, t-shirts, ties, coffee mugs....

Occupati!

Italy is full! (this was a Thursday)

I almost hate to add this, but last summer I head someone say "Italy is full". My experience in Florence this past week confirmed that. This photo of the piazza in front of the Duomo shows just how packed it really is. I'm not sure how the recession can be impacting tourism, and maybe there are fewer Italians, but every piazza, every sidewalk, every alley was crawling with people in giant tour groups following "the umbrella". Lines to get into churches and (most) museums were long long long. And it was caldissima.

But if you venture outside of the warren of old, historic Florence and get over into the garden and villa area, or take the bus to Fiesole, you can escape the crowds and breathe. Some of the smaller, special museums are mostly empty and house some amazing art (Museo Duomo for example). And there are trattorias and restaurants everywhere.

Pros and Cons

Pros:More art and literature and food and wine than you can possible do justice to.
Cons:Like all must sees, it can be crawling with tourists.
In a nutshell:A lifetime of wonders to explore

Last visit to Florence: Jun 2003
Intro Updated Feb 7, 2011
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Reviews (15)

A Room with a View Hotels (3)

We selected the Hotel Ritz for our two night stay because it was recommended by Untours, was listed as "near the Uffizi"... more travel advice

Museo del Opera del Duomo - Florentine... Things to Do (8)

Earlier I spoke about Museo del Duomo, the perfect "anti-Museum" for the Museum weary. It's so easy to wear thin on art... more travel advice

The genuine article! Things to Do (8)

While statues of David can be found in several places in Florence, the real deal is only in one place; the Accademia... more travel advice

Rubens men are as full figured as his women! - Florence

The Uffizi Gallery Things to Do (8)

Uffizi is Italian for "offices". The rooms that house the amazing Uffizi Gallery, one of the world's leading museums,... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Walk like an Etruscan

Restaurants (1)
My first meal in Firenze

Travelogues (1)

Written Mar 31, 2005

2 photos

Places I'm Bookmarking for Future Trips!

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Comments (29)

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windoweb May 22, 2010 at 8:13 AM

Thanks for the tips. We can use these in the fall on our 10 day tour of Italy.
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omidamini Jul 31, 2009 at 9:37 PM

Thanks for very good information and pictures. I hope see you here.
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cpiers47 Jul 5, 2009 at 6:15 PM

Delightful Florence pages! We stayed at the Hotel Ritz on our first trip there in 2000 and felt the same as you. :)
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sourbugger May 3, 2008 at 3:22 PM

an excellent page, although i have admit i hold the all-italy philistines record for looking at every painting in the uffizi - 37 minutes !
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blint Apr 8, 2008 at 5:37 PM

Great little page with lots of info :)
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Maurizioago Jan 20, 2008 at 9:46 AM

Excuse me; Piazzale Michelangelo; not "piazzelle Michelangelo". Ciao!
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janetanne Oct 20, 2007 at 2:48 AM

Kalimera! Featured VT member this Saturday morning! Wonderful to visit Florence again on your lovely pages. Let's go...really!
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mydreamquest Jul 2, 2007 at 3:43 PM

Florence is heaven. I fell in love with that city by accident. To me, there's no place better.
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nicolaitan Jan 18, 2007 at 5:56 PM

Superb page on my favorite city - San Minato al Monte will be on my must see list when we return. Thanks for sharing. N.
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dfactor Jun 23, 2006 at 10:43 PM

I remember standing here early summer 2 years ago. The view is magnificient as the sun was setting and everything basked in orange glow.