Day Two

Spend the first part of day two driving from Rome through the Umbrian and Tuscan countryside, making your way to Florence. There is much to see once you get there, but try not to rush your journey. This part of Italy is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Rolling hills, verdant pastures, and lush vineyards melt into one another with charming villages linking them together along the way. A journey through Tuscany is a truly Italian experience every visitor should enjoy. Stop in one of the towns for fresh cheese and prosciutto and a bottle of Chianti. Have a picnic before you arrive in Florence to fuel you for an afternoon of viewing some of the world’s most famous artworks.

 

Once you arrive, you have a choice of several historically significant sites to explore. One day is not enough to see them all, so choose what interests you the most. The Arno River divides the splendid city into two halves. Most of the major attractions lie north of the river, while the area south of the river is primarily known for shopping and dining. Eight bridges span the Arno, the most famous of which is the Ponte Vecchio, which is lined with jewelry stores. The Etruscans constructed it in ancient times, and it is the only bridge to survive World War II intact. 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. Both of these museums can have extraordinarily long tickets lines, but you can reserve tickets in advance if you call ahead or purchase them through the Internet. There is a small fee, but it is worth it to not waste your time in Florence waiting in admission lines.

 

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