About Florence
Florence is often called the cradle of the Renaissance, a compact city where art, science, and humanist thinking reshaped Europe. The cathedral’s brick dome designed by Brunelleschi rises above terracotta roofs, while the Uffizi Gallery preserves masterpieces by Botticelli, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci. Crossing the Ponte Vecchio, you’ll pass jewelry shops built into a medieval bridge that still feels like a village street suspended above the Arno River. Museums are close together, cafés spill onto narrow lanes, and the day’s rhythm blends student energy with timeless architecture. Even brief visits feel dense with discoveries: a courtyard fresco, a hidden cloister, or a workshop window where artisans still practice traditional crafts.
Food here is simple and satisfying: ribollita soup, bistecca alla fiorentina, and thick slices of bread drizzled with peppery olive oil. Mornings begin with cappuccino and a pastry, while evenings glow warm as locals meet in piazzas to talk and listen to street musicians. For a panoramic view at sunset, climb to Piazzale Michelangelo and watch the city fade from gold to violet. Plan your museum times in advance, wear comfortable shoes, and build in a little aimless wandering—Florence rewards curiosity on every block.
