Florence

Florence, without a doubt, is Tuscany’s jewel. Be generous with your time and do not rush Florence—there is too much to see. If possible travel to the major cities of Italy should be made in the off-season. Even so, be prepared for lines, they are a fact of life.You must, of course, pay a visit to Michelangelo’s fabulous David in the Galleria dell’Accademia located just off the Piazza San Marco.During your explorations of Florence, you will cross many times through the Piazza della Signoria, located in the heart of the old city. Facing this characterful medieval square is the 13^th-century Palazzo Vecchio, a stern stone structure topped by a crenellated gallery and dominated by a tall bell tower. It was here that the signoria (Florence’s powerful aristocratic ruling administrators) met for two months each year while attending to government business. During this period they were forbidden to leave the palace (except for funerals) so that there could not be a hint of suspicion of intrigue or bribery. Of course, you cannot miss one of Florence’s landmarks, the Ponte Vecchio. Spanning the Arno in the heart of Florence, this colorful bridge is lined with quaint shops just as it has been since the 14^th century. Don’t miss the fantastic museums and cathedrals—the world will probably never again see a city that has produced such artistic genius. Florence’s Duomo is one of the largest in the world. The cathedral’s incredible dome (over 100 meters high) was designed by Brunelleschi. Climb the 464 steps to the top of the dome for a superb view of Florence. The Baptistry has beautiful mosaics and its bronze doors by Ghiberti were said by Michelangelo to be worthy of serving as the gates to paradise. The main door shows scenes from the life of John the Baptist, the north door shows the life of Jesus, and the east door shows stories from the prophets of the Old Testament. The Uffizi Museum (housed in a 16^th-century palace) is Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria, Florence undoubtedly one of the finest museums in the world. You can make advance reservations at the Uffizi Museum (tel: 055 23 88 651), www.virtualuffizi.com. Also, do not miss the Pitti Palace with its fabulous art collection, including paintings by Titian and Raphael. NOTE: In addition to regular hours, museums stay open during June, July, August, and September until 11 pm. Be sure to buy a guidebook and city map at one of the many magazine stalls and study what you want to see. We just touch on the many highlights. Florence is best appreciated by wandering the historic ancient streets: poke into small boutiques; stop in churches that catch your eye—they all abound with masterpieces; sit and enjoy a cappuccino in one of the little sidewalk cafés and people watch; stroll through the piazzas and watch the artists at their craft—many of them incredibly clever—as they paint portraits and do sculptures for a small fee. End your day by finding the perfect small restaurant for delicious pasta made by mama in the back kitchen.