Tour of Florence, Italy

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The most notable building in the Florence skyline is the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, the cathedral church (Duomo) of Florence. Work began in 1296 in the Gothic style to the design of Arnolfo di Cambio. It was completed structurally in 1436 with the dome engineered by Filippo Brunelleschi.

The exterior of the basilica is faced with polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink bordered by white and has an elaborate 19th century Gothic Revival facade by Emilio De Fabris.

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The cathedral square of Florence stands almost in the very center of the city.

Most of the main attractions in Florence are situated within a short walk of this square.

Situated a few blocks south of the Cathedral Square is the Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall of Florence. This massive, Romanesque, crenellated fortress-palace is among the most impressive town halls of Tuscany.

Overlooking the Piazza della Signoria, with its copy of Michelangelo's David statue, as well the gallery of statues in the adjacent Loggia dei Lanzi, it is one of the most significant public places in Italy.

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The Accademia dell'Arte del Disegno ("Academy of the Art of Drawing") is an art academy in Florence, founded in 1561. Situated a short distance northeast of the Cathedral Square.

The Gallery of the Accademia di Belle Arti has housed the original David by Michelangelo since 1873. The sculpture was allegedly brought to the Accademia for reasons of conservation, although other factors were involved in its move from its previous outdoor location on Piazza della Signoria.

Many people state that if you visit Florence, you cannot, under any circumstances, fail to see this statue.

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The Ponte Vecchio is a Medieval bridge over the Arno River, in Florence, noted for still having shops built along it, as was once common.

Butchers initially occupied the shops; the present tenants are jewelers, art dealers and souvenir sellers.

Situated a short distance south of the Cathedral Square.

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The Uffizi Gallery is one of the oldest and most famous art museums in the world, it is housed in the Palazzo degli Uffizi, a palazzo in Florence close to the Ponte Vecchio bridge.

Building of the palace was begun by Giorgio Vasari in 1560 for Cosimo I de' Medici as the offices for the Florentine magistrates, hence the name "uffizi" ("offices").

The Uffizi is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Florence. In high season (particularly in July), waiting times can be up to five hours. Visitors who reserve a ticket in advance have a substantially shorter wait.

The Basilica di San Lorenzo is one of the largest churches of Florence. It is situated at the centre of the city’s main market district just north of the Cathedral Square.

This is the burial place of all the principal members of the Medici family from Cosimo il Vecchio to Cosimo III, 1400s - 1700s. It is one of several churches that claim to be the oldest in Florence, being consecrated in 393.

The church is part of a larger monastic complex that contains other important architectural works: the Old Sacristy by Brunelleschi; the Laurentian Library by Michelangelo; the New Sacristy based on Michelangelo's designs; and the Medici Chapels by Matteo Nigetti.

The Bargello, also known as the Bargello Palace or Palazzo del Popolo (Palace of the People) is a former barracks and prison, now an art museum, in Florence situated a short distance south of the Cathedral Square.

The museum houses masterpieces by Michelangelo, such as his Bacchus, Pitti Tondo (or Madonna and Child), Brutus and David-Apollo.

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The Palazzo Pitti is a vast palace in Florence, situated on the south side of the River Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio bridge.

The core of the present palazzo that dates from 1458, was originally the town residence of Luca Pitti, an ambitious Florentine banker.

The palace was bought by the Medici family in 1539 and became the chief residence of the ruling families of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

The palazzo is now the largest museum complex in Florence.

The Boboli Gardens are situated behind the Pitti Palace. They are home to a distinguished collection of sculptures dating from the sixteenth through the eighteenth centuries, with some Roman antiquities.

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Discover the countryside of the Chianti region, with ever changing scenery of vineyards and olive trees on this full day private trip from Florence.

Accompanied by your own private guide, you'll enjoy personalized attention on your luxury private tour of San Gimignano, a tiny city that has remained intact through the centuries. The city is situated on top of a hill and is famous for its numerous towers, frescoes and other art treasures.

This tour also visits Siena as seen below.

The day tour to San Gimignano also takes in Siena, where on arrival you have free time for lunch (not included). Afterwards enjoy a guided tour of this magnificent medieval city. Admire the interior of the Cathedral, with the Piccolomini Library, the Opera Metropolitana Museum.

Your private tour will then proceed to Piazza del Campo, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe, and the Town Hall (outside).

On your return journey to Florence, you’ll see the old medieval village of Monteriggioni, enclosed by its famous walls, still intact today.

You'll fall in love with Italy's prettiest coastal villages on a small group visit to the Cinque Terre from Florence.

You've probably heard of the five famous fishing ports of the Cinque Terre. Now's your chance to visit these picture-postcard villages on a personalized small group day trip you’ll treasure.

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For more tours of Florence or to places such as Vienna and Pisa, visit the website: www.viator.com/Florence

For more information on Florence, visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence.

Visit the main website in English for Florence at: www.aboutflorence.com.