Florence Sights and Landmarks Guide, Italy

The epitome of Roman old world charm and the center of Renaissance culture, Florence is a breathtakingly beautiful city surrounded by hills and full of churches and museums. 

The Galleria degli Uffizi is one of the best art museums in the world, and the best in Florence. Its Renaissance art and sculpture collection features Boticelli’s famous The Birth of Venus among other priceless gems. You can catch street performers outside the Uffizi. It is advisable to book tickets in advance as the queues can get terribly long.

The American Cemetery of Florence is a unique experience with the graves of over six thousand soldiers who were killed during Italy’s struggle against fascist rule. At the center of the city’s old town area the gorgeous Santa Maria del Fiore can be found, the city’s most famous church and an overwhelming symbol of Renaissance architecture. Next to the cathedral is Giotto's Tower, which contains over four hundred steps that are worth the climb to get a spectacular view of the cityscape. The Tuscan countryside around the city is the ideal spot for a day trip. 

Florence offers no dearth of opportunities for the avid shopper and diner. Souvenir shops are plentyful at the Oltrarno, but beware of buying branded items at cheap prices since this is illegal, and you can get slapped with a hefty fine if caught. Beaded glass jewelry is a Florentine specialty, and some artisans and organizations offer bead jewelry making courses, if you’re inclined and have the time.

In terms of dining, most restaurants offer take out options as well as sit down services, and be aware that food can cost four times as much if you opt for a dine in.

Parking is quite pricey within the city, but there is free parking available next to the Santa Maria Novella railway station. Walking is a good option in the city center as many spaces are off limits to cars, and seeing Florence on foot is a great experience as well. Many of the most popular tourist hotspots are within walking distance of each other, so rent a car only if you’re planning to go outside city limits. A day bus ticket is a good way to travel around the city cheaply. Tickets are cheaper when bought in advance, rather than on the bus. There are also many guided walking tours of the city available, with the best ones offered by the companies Art Viva and Florence For Fun.

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• Florence is a must-see in Italy
  review by Wazling posted more then 30 days ago
  Florence is one of the biggest Italian cities, you absolitely shouldn't miss it. It offers a wide range of history, a beautiful historical city centre and a lof of possibilities to spent money in all sorts of good shops. If you want to go there, I would suggest train, because the traffic...

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• Florence Segway Tour
  travel tip by Anonymous posted more then 30 days ago
  Have fun cruising effortlessly through the timeless streets of Florence on the coolest rides of the 21st century. The Segway Tour experience is the most appropriate to visit the entire historical center in less time then simply walking.

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