Florence

FLORENCE
CITY OF ROMANCE


Everyday there are flights between İstanbul and Bologna. Upon arrival, you can drive a mere one hour and reach the beautiful downtown Florence. The city center of this historic place is mostly flat and many of its memorable sites can be reached by foot. Guests should, however, rent a car to experience the best panoramic views from Piazzale Michelangelo. Though it is not too far, only those who are confident should test their climbing ability. Make sure to bring your camera with you as you can see every part of this dazzling city from this vantage point. The best time to visit is during sundown. Of course, everyone can enjoy the walk back as it is a downhill path surrounded by greenery.

Florence Cathedral, Giotto Tower and Piazza Del Duomo can be considered at the city center. After all, it is impossible to visit the city and miss these three landmarks afte. The top of the Cathedral is also used as a viewing terrace offering great scenery. Due to the architecture of the building, there are no lifts. You need to climb very long and narrow stairs. But not to worry, this ordeal is worth it in the end. You can also climb to the top of the Giotto Tower, but if you must choose between the two destinations, the Cathedral would be the sure bet.

Uffizi Gallery is another destination in the city center. Depending on the season, it can be packed with tourists, so it would be prudent to buy a ticket online beforehand. Photographers should definitely take a few shots of the gallery’s yard from multiple angles. There are hundreds of paintings in the gallery from the Renaissance era’s most famous painters including Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raffaello, Botticelli.

Of course, yet another of Florence’s famous landmarks is the Ponte Vecchio Bridge. It means “Old Bridge” in English and it is the most famous structure in all of Florence. Its reflection in the water, along with the surrounding buildings, is definitely a sight to see. Make sure to take many pictures as you walk around and across this historic bridge. There are silverwares, jewelry, and gift shops along the bridge as well which can’t be missed. If you visit the city on a Tuesday, make sure to see the big open bazaar called Le Cascine. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, the atmosphere of the massive bazaar alone is more than a bargain.

Similarly, depending on your travel time, Pitti Palace, Galleria Dell’Accademia, Museo Dell’Opera, Museo di Palazzo Vecchio, Museo Galileo and Palazzo Medici Riccardi could also be great places to visit depending on your interests.One of the most beautiful locations of the city is without a doubt the Boboli Gardens. You can reach this place by a short walk through one of the world’s finest open air museums. When touring this beautiful park, you will witness the history of pieces 500-600 years old. It takes 3 to 4 hours to tour the park completely, but with the help of a map, you can just visit the pieces you are interested in.

All that being said, there is still one thing not to forget: delicious Italian food. If you come all the way here, it would be a crime not to taste pizza, spaghetti, and Italian style fish. There are numerous restaurants to choose depending on your budget. For pizza, Mangia Pizza Firenze is the best suggestion. Make sure to eat ice cream at La Carraria as well. Café Gill in the square is a great spot for drinking your coffee while watching the daily life.

For those planning a longer stay, you can reach other locations in Italy from Florence. Cinque Terre is definitely worth a visit and it is only an hour away. Daily tours that take around 6 to 8 hours would allow you to visit these locations as well.

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