Florence is a must-see destination for first-time and repeat visitors to Italy. The capital city of the Tuscany region is known for its Renaissance-era artistic treasures, world-class art museums, and the colorful history that unfolded here over the centuries. A model Italian city and a very popular one with tourists, Florence is a delight to visit.
Things to Do
Plan to visit Florence's massive Duomo, perhaps opting to climb either the dome or the neighboring Bell Tower. See the history-filled Piazza della Signoria and the Palazzo Vecchio before walking across Florence's oldest bridge, the Ponte Vecchio, to explore the colorful neighborhoods of Oltrarno, "the other side of the Arno." Art lovers will not want to miss the Uffizi Gallery, home to Botticelli's "Birth of Venus," among thousands of famous works. The Accademia Gallery is home to Michelangelo's sculpture of David, one of the most iconic in the world. For leather goods, the San Lorenzo Outdoor Market is the place to shop and haggle a bit, while the adjacent Mercato Centrale offers a dazzling array of shops selling produce, meats, cheeses, and everything edible.
Where to Eat and Drink
As the capital of Tuscany, Florence benefits from the region's agricultural riches, making it an excellent destination for food. Meals are typically meat-heavy, with Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a thick T-bone steak, occupying the top of the food chain. Cured meats like prosciutto and mortadella appear on platters of mixed appetizers, called tagliere, along with regional cheeses, olives, and bread. Tuscany is also famous for its red wines, which naturally make their way into Florence's wine bars, enotecas, and restaurants. Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Chianti are among the region's most famous varieties.
Where to Stay
Despite the glut of hotels, B&Bs, hostels, and Airbnb rentals in Florence, the city fills up in peak periods. So it's never a good idea to arrive in Florence without a room reserved. Budget hotels are clustered around the Santa Maria Novella train station and the adjacent San Lorenzo area. Prices, though not necessarily quality, go up the closer one gets to the Duomo. Luxury properties are all over the city, especially around Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza della Signoria. Visitors seeking a more local feel might want to head to Oltrarno, south of the Arno River, for apartment rentals and B&Bs. Consider our recommendations for the best hotels in Florence.
Your Packing List
If you're traveling over the summer, fill your suitcase with T-shirts, shorts, or sundresses made of cotton, sweat-wicking microfibers, or other natural fibers.
Be sure to carry a light wrap to cover bare shoulders when entering churches.
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves, located in the King Country area of the Waikato, are one of the most popular attractions in New Zealand's North Island. An extensive network of more than 300 caves, the cave complex invites visitors to explore caverns, sinkholes, and underground rivers and see thousands of glowworms lighting up the darkness like stars in the sky. As well as regular, relatively sedate cave tours, adventurous travelers can also try "black-water rafting" at Waitomo, where visitors will crawl, swim, and float through the caves using a rubber tube on the rivers.
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