Day Five - Florence

Enjoy a morning of driving through Tuscany before you arrive in Florence. The Arno River divides the Renaissance city into two halves. Eight bridges span the Arno, the most famous of which is the Ponte Vecchio, which is lined with jewelry stores. The Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) is Florence’s defining piece of architecture. It is one of the world’s largest churches. The Baptistery (Battistero San Giovanni) is the oldest structure in Florence.

 

At the heart of the city is the Fountain of Neptune in the Piazza della Signoria. Michelangelo’s 17-foot tall David stood here for centuries until it was moved indoors to the Galleria dell’Accademia. You can view it there along with many other significant paintings and sculptures. Also located off the piazza is the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi), which houses Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, as well as works by Raphael, Caravaggio, and many more Renaissance artists. Order tickets for both museums ahead of time to avoid the inevitable long lines.

 

Other important sites in Florence include the Medici Chapels (Cappelle dei Medici), the Palazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens, and the Palazzo Vecchio.

 

Stay the night in Florence and look forward to your day tomorrow in the world’s most romantic city: Venice.