Highlights
Palazzo Vecchio
This marvellous fortress palace, with its impressive 94m-high tower, was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio between 1298 and 1314 for the city government. It is still home to the mayor’s office and municipal council today, and from the top of the tower you can get unbelievable panoramic views over the stunning city. Inside, you are greeted with Michelangelo’s Genio della Vittoria (Genius of Victory) sculpture that is situated in the remarkable Salone dei Cinquecento, an ornately painted hall.
Shopping
Florence was the birthplace of Italy’s fashion industry. Notable fashion houses such as Guccio Gucci and Salvatore Ferragamo opened haute-couture boutiques in Florence in the 1920s and, ever since, fashion has thrived in this fabulous Tuscan city. Wander down Florence’s most famous street, Via de’Tornabuoni, the home of Salvatore Ferragamo’s first property. Via de’Tornabuoni also houses Gucci, Emilio Pucci, Versace, Roberto Cavalli, Hermes, Pomellato, Tiffany & Co, and Cartier to name a few. Via dei Calzaiuoli is also a popular street along which you will find ultra-luxurious shops - from iconic Chanel to modern department stores.
Architecture
Every street of Florence's charmingly compact city centre is filled with Renaissance treasures to explore. Highlights include the Duomo cathedral, inlaid with pink, white and green marble and soaring above the surrounding buildings in the Piazza del Duomo and the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore – scale the cupola for a spectacular overview of the city. Visit the impressive Basilica di Santa Croce - that was designed by Arnolfo di Cambio between 1294 and 1385 - boasting a fantastic neo-Gothic facade that is inlaid with varying shades of coloured marble. Inside this magnificent church are the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Ghiberti.
Art
Visit the Uffizi Gallery where you might like to spend an afternoon with the masters of Renaissance painting. The Uffizi is Florence’s premier gallery and gained its impressive collection of art from the bequeathed Medici family in 1743, on the condition they stayed in Florence. The Galleria dell'Accademia is another fantastic gallery that was built to house one of the Renaissance’s most iconic masterpieces, Michelangelo’s David. His most famous and challenging work of art, this extraordinary marble sculpture boasts impressive detail and a glimpse is well worth the queue!
Wine Country
If you feel like exploring further, you can find yourself deep in the heart of the lovely Chianti countryside in less than half an hour from Florence. Enjoy exploring the Chianti wine trail and vistas of the region's vineyards and live groves.