Florence, Italy — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Florence
The entire Renaissance city of Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most popular cities to visit in Italy With countless churches, cathedrals, art galleries and museums, deciding where to start your sightseeing tours may prove quite tricky. Head to the most popular site, the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore,which began construction in 1296, was consecrated in 1436, holds 20,000 people and offers some breathtaking views over the city from atop the 463 to the top of Brunelleschi's Dome. Visit one of Florence's oldest buildings, the Baptistery of John the Baptist, enjoy views over the Arno River and stroll across the Ponte Vecchioto the Giardino di Bobolito enjoy the park dotted with fountains behind the Pitti Palace, or navigate the crowds at the Galleria degli Uffizi Ito view some of the world's most important Renaissance art. Culture lovers will enjoy a trip to Santa Croce, the largest Franciscan church in Italy which holds the tombs Michelangelo and Dante, as well as the Piazza della Signoria, the heart of the historic center and an open-air sculpture exhibit where one can even sip on a cup of coffee and watch the world go by from one of the surrounding cafés.
Shopping in Florence
Renowned more for its classical architecture than its bargain shopping, Florence was in fact the historical first home of fashion. Home to the likes of Giovanni Battista Giorgini, the father of the Italian school, the Italian equivalent of France's haute couture, Giorgini held informal fashion shows and soirées in Florence in the early 1950s. Florence still manages to pack a powerful punch compared to sister cities Rome and Milan when it comes to shopping. With everything from luxurious designer boutiques and vast shopping malls to bustling open-air markets and street-side hawkers, visitors can shop to their hearts' content. Head to the Via de' Tornabuoni, Florence's main shopping upmarket shopping street, where luxury fashion houses and jewelry stores abound and high quality leather, shoes and clothing can be found or head to The Mall, a huge designer outlet where labels such as Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Fendi and Burberry (to name a few) can be found. For jewelry, visit the Ponte Vecchio where tiny shops dot the sides of this medieval bride over the Arno River, while the place to find great antiques and objets d'art from the 16th century is the Via Maggio. Those looking for something a little less pricey should visit the local markets such as San Lorenzo, a popular spot where souvenirs and leather goods abound, head for the Mercato Centrale in Via dell'Ariento, the best food market in Florence, or visit the Sant'ambrogio in Piazza Ghiberti where everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, cheeses, clothes, flowers, shoes and homeware stalls are plentiful. Travelers should beware of buying fake designer goods from hawkers as it is illegal and you could be faced with a hefty fine if caught by the police. Shops generally open from 9am to 1pm and reopen at 3.30pm until 7pm from Tuesday to Saturday. Most are closed on Sunday and Monday mornings.
Attractions for Kids
Since most of Florence's attractions are either historic or religious, many kids traveling with their parents may not a first be too thrilled about what there will be for them to do while on vacation. But with a bit of imagination and these few suggestions, parents will find there is enough to keep the kids occupied while traveling through this romantic city.
Galleria dell'Accademia is not too big for children and is home to the magnificent statue of David by Michelangelo. Once the little ones are enchanted by the story of David and Goliath, the statue will come to life for them in a whole new way, while they can get up close and personal to the statues at the Piazza della Signoria.
On warm summer days, pack a picnic and take the kids to the Oltrarno district which boasts the Boboli Gardens at Palazzo Pitti, where kids will love the open space where they can run around, climb trees and let off some steam. The Piazza Repubblica will appeal to little girls of all ages where the antique carousel beckons to be enjoyed or why not take the kids chocolate and wine tasting where adults will be able to enjoy the fine Florentine wines while the little ones their own indulgence.
Florence also claims to be the home of the inventor of gelato, Bernardo Buontalenti, and buying a gelato on a warm summers day is a great way for kids to enjoy their experience of the city - with ice cream in hand!
