All About Florence, Italy

GUEST POST OVERVIEW: When I asked Facebook for Italy photography to accompany this post on Florence, two of my good friends came through with these beautiful shots. A million thanks to Yasmeen and Leslie…you gals rock!

Italy Travel Guide: Florence

Florence is a famous Italian city in Tuscany. It is located in the northern half of the country, between Venice and Rome. Florence lies next to the River Arno, it is the capital of Tuscany and attracts millions of visitors each year. The population in the metropolitan area is one and a half million, while 370,000 people reside in the city proper.

Florence can be accessed via Italy’s developed transport network and its highways. Additionally, tourists coming directly can fly into Peretola Airport (FLR), though it is quite a small facility.

Florence Climate:

Florence has a Mediterranean climate with cool damp winters and hot humid summers. The heat coincides with the major tourist season so visitors should be warned and ensure that they prepare accordingly – average highs in the summer exceed thirty degrees Celsius and it can be stifling in the city itself. During the winter rainfall is common though snow does occasionally fall.

Florence’s History

Florence’s history is the chief reason for its renown amongst tourist: the city dates back to Roman times and it was first established in 80 BC, when it quickly became a major commercial centre. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Florence truly came to prominence; indeed, it is seen as the birthplace of the Renaissance.

Under the Medici Family, the city encountered enormous economic growth and quickly became one of the foremost cities in Europe – wealthy citizens sponsored fabulous artworks, many of which can be seen today: pieces by Michelangelo, da Vinci and Botticelli were commissioned here during this time.

Florence was occupied by German forces during Second World War, however, the 20^th Century generally saw growth in prosperity driven in part by its robust tourist economy.

Even more on Florence

Florence lies in the basin of the Senese Clavey Hills and next to the Arno River. The city itself features gorgeous architecture and bridges – the centre is contained within medieval walls, where many tourist highlights are found. The Duomo is Florence’s most famous site, and the domed cathedral dominates the skyline and is constantly thronged with tourists. Within this area there are dozens of notable attractions, and visitors should dedicate a few days to exploring the gorgeous art that lies within.

Outwith this area, Florence is a modern Italian city with universities, fashion houses and a variety of other industries all present: these areas are often left unexplored by tourists.

Florence Tourist Attractions:

• The Duomo
• The Palazzo della Signoria
• The Uffizi Gallery
• The Boboli Gardens
• Pitti Palace
• Ponte Vecchio (The Old Bridge)
• Orsanmichele Church
• Piazzale Michelangelo

Florence On a Budget:

Florence, like all touristy sites, can be quite expensive, yet it is possible to find cheap hostels or stay outwith the central area. Italy Holidays to the city can be organized through online travel companies, or you can put together your itinerary independently.

Travel Resources

Wikitravel has a reasonably detailed travel guide for Florence, yet it is best to bring a book with you to consult as you wander the streets: the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet will do nicely.

You can check out more of Yasmeen’s elegant photography and follow her tales of life living in Alaska at her blog, ..Brave Cold World or Of Moose and Men..