There is Santa Maria Novella, which boasts magnificent frescoes by Uccello, Ghirlandaio and Masaccio, and the works by Michelangelo at San Lorenzo. There are the frescoes by Giotto and the Pazzi Chapel (by Brunelleschi again) at Santa Croce. And there is much more, because Florence is quite simply the greatest repository of art in Europe. Not all of it hangs in galleries and museums; much of the architecture of this extraordinary city is itself enough to make the visitor stop and draw breath. There is the enormous Palazzo Vecchio, with the shop-laden Ponte Vecchio before it, and San Miniato al Monte shimmering on the hills behind.
Florence was, of course, the hub of the Renaissance. The enormous riches that flowed into the city, courtesy of its early mastery of banking and commerce, was in turn poured into the commissioning of enormous numbers of works of art. This was the home of patrons such as the Medici as much as creators such as Michelangelo and Botticelli, and the fruits are there to see today for the lucky visitor.
And once you've imbibed enough culture, relax at one of the many great cafes, bars and restaurants in the city. There is a host of places nearby where you can enjoy the excellent Florentine cuisine - among the best in Italy, with its emphasis on good, simple, fresh fare.
All this and more awaits. So for more on this very affordable way to enjoy Florence, click below to send a message, and start planning your Italian vacation.
