From the Middle Ages to the present day, Piazza della Signoria, between Piazza del Duomo and the…read moreArno River, is the beating heart of the historic center of Florence with its distinctive L-shape, which my partner, our friends, family member, and I visited in mid-September. Palazzo Vecchio, the traditional seat of the Florentine government, with its distinctive tower, is yet another symbol of the city. In front stands a copy of Michelangelo's David (the original can be seen at the Accademia Gallery). One of the most impressive squares we've ever seen! The piazza looks like an outdoor museum, full of iconic statues and history in every corner. One can't miss the Fountain of Neptune that was commissioned to celebrate a Medici marriage. It is a colossal statue of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea and the counterpart of the Greek god Poseidon. The atmosphere is vibrant and lively with both tourists and locals, perfect to enjoy both during the day and at night. Definitely a must-see in Florence!

Nice gathering place next to Ponte Vecchio. There's a beautiful fountain here and plenty of places…read moreto gather and dine. I love these Italian palazzos!

Michelangelo's David is breathtaking in person! When we visited Florence, I thought the statue of…read moreDavid outside the Duomo was the authentic Michelangelo's David, and it actually is not. I think the Duomo area I reference may actually be the Piazza della Signoria. The real David statue is located at the Galleria dell-Accademia, or Accademia Gallery in Florence, and he stands almost seventeen feet tall at sixteen feet and 11.15 inches! David weighs in at 12, 478.12 pounds and he is made of solid marble stone! The sling on his left shoulder and the tree trunk behind his right leg were once covered with gold leaf, however, being outdoors in the elements in Piazza della Signoria for over 400 years washed the gold leaf away. I bet it was incredible to see the golf leafed version! In person at the Accademia Gallery, the statue is breathtaking! He is giant, and depicts the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel in the Bible. i love that Michelangelo decided to depict David before his battle with the giant Goliath, with the slingshot resting on his shoulder and the rock he will use, poised in his right hand not to mention the posture of David, poised and ready to defeat the giant! Do see David in person if you get the opportunity - see the original for certain and also the replica which you will pass often in the popular Duomo area of Florence Italy.

Statua del David Can't believe I just found this page. I…read morespent a lot of time in Florence enjoying the city. I love all the works of Michelangelo. Words are not coming. You must go! Get your photos I'll look for more of mine.

Do you find the Medici family interesting? I do…read more The Fontana del Nettuno, the Neptune Fountain, was commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici to celebrate the wedding of his son, Francesco, to the Grand Duchess Joanna of Austria. It also memorialized his power in Florence as a patron of the arts and a political prowess. The fountain was commissioned after he had brought clean water to Florence and on the occasion of bringing two families together. Imagine being a new bride and seeing a mammoth marble statue of your future father-in-law in all his glory. Think about it. The fountain itself is stunning. Cosimo, as Neptune, perched on a shell shaped horse drawn chariot surrounded by dolphins, Putti cherubs, women, men and fauns. So interesting. Thank you to our tour guide, Roberta, who brought shared the story of this fountain on the tour of Firenze.

These sculptures are pretty amazing. Add in the water spouting from them and it's a cool artistic…read morepiece standing outside for anyone to enjoy. Whats not to love? Free and cool to stare at!

We did a wine tasting with Laura - she was amazing. Super knowledgeable and tailored to our…read moreinterest. She is funny, friendly and her English was on point. The tasting meal was divine - it was far more elaborate - and delicious than expected. The tasting room is elegant- furnished with antiques and vintage photos. Laura made sure we were well taken care of. We loved her sense of humor and how easily she engaged with us. Well worth your time and money. Highly recommend Laura as the host /guide and the winery.

This is the oldest standing building in Florence. Likely part of city wall in byzantine times…read more It is now part of the Hotel Brunelleschi, rooms of this tower go for about €1300+/- a night. There's a small museum with some ceramics found during the restoration, some as old as the days of the young Florence, or Florentia as it was called, dating back to the first century! There's an underground level where the ruins of the Roman public baths can be visited. In the late 1200's it was a female jail, the name of this tower derives from the straw mattresses the inmates used to sleep in.

Giotto's Bell Tower is one of Florence's most iconic landmarks and absolutely worth the climb…read more Standing tall right next to the Duomo, its Gothic design and intricate marble work make it stunning to admire from the outside. But the real highlight comes when you brave the 414 steps to the top with no elevator, just narrow winding stairs that add to the experience. Each level offers stopping points with windows where you can catch your breath while enjoying unique views of the cathedral and the city below. Once you reach the very top, the panoramic views of Florence, with the Duomo's dome right in front of you, are nothing short of breathtaking. FWIW, we did this tower prior to climbing up the dome as a warm up of sorts and did help though based upon your day/energy levels please plan the two ascents wisely. Tickets are usually bundled with the Duomo complex pass, and it's a good idea to book them in advance since the climb is popular and spots can fill up. If you're up for a workout and want some of the best views in Florence, this is something you can't miss.

Was it wise to immediately do this tour/walk right after the 'Opera' that's next to this?…read more(Not when you're over the hill and lazy... like myself.) Regardless - this is ANOTHER fantastic structure that's so rich with history and meaning and the views at each level get more and more breathtaking. Those 400+ steps are savage and only slightly easier coming back down. (As talented and advanced as the artists and architects were centuries ago - they didn't have the foresight to create a second staircase so we wouldn't have to continually bump into each other coming-and-going in the present day?! Sheesh!) Another official "Amazing!" place to visit, get enriched, kill an hour or so, and burn more than few calories.

If you're spending any real time in Florence, you're pretty likely to cross the Ponte Vecchio,…read morewhich spans the Arno and more or less connects Palazzo Pitti to the Duomo. You'd walk it even if it were just any old bridge, but it is in fact The Old Bridge: a medieval stone arch bridge, and the only bridge in Florence to survive World War II. We never made a point of visiting Ponte Vecchio, but we walked across it several times during our two days in town. It's a lovely bridge, with shops built onto both sides--I guess this was a common thing in medieval times. The shops give the bridge an interesting building block look from the outside, and form a vibrant commercial corridor within. No car traffic, but plenty of pedestrians at all times. Most of the shops on Ponte Vecchio seem to sell gold jewelry. I recognized a few chain jewelers, but I think those were in the minority. I doubt Ponte Vecchio is the place to get a good deal on gold jewelry, but if you want a gold souvenir from Florence, it's probably worth a browse. We didn't shop on Ponte Vecchio, but we enjoyed the bridge as a bridge, a practical monument full of beauty and history. It offers prime views of the city and is, of course, a marvel in itself. We enjoyed seeing the shops open, but the bridge was even prettier at night, when they were closed. The storefronts all had these wood shutters that made them look like treasure chests. So charming. We were in Florence in mid-November and saw the Christmas lights go up over Ponte Vecchio but didn't stay long enough to see them turn on. I'll bet this bridge is magical during Christmas, but it's not like it isn't special all year round. It's one of the places that makes Florence Florence.

Along the Arno River, the Ponte Vecchio is one of the city's most noteworthy landmarks, lined with…read moreshops and rich in history. The Ponte Vecchio ("old bridge" in Italian) is a working part of Florence's daily activities. Crossing the bridge for the first time, what stands out immediately is how unusual it is. It feels like a narrow street or marketplace suspended above the water, sprinkled with small shops. This distinctive layout with shops built directly onto the structure has existed for centuries and gives the Ponte Vecchio a special character unlike any other bridge in Europe. The current bridge dates to the mid-14th century, rebuilt in 1345 after earlier versions were destroyed by floods. Over time, it has evolved from a practical commercial crossing into a symbol of Florence's artistic and cultural identity. Originally filled with butchers and traders, it was transformed during the Renaissance when the Medici decreed that only goldsmiths and jewelers could operate here. Today, virtually every retail type is featured.