Florence

Florence is a city of art described as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a unique expression of the Italian Renaissance. Trying to condense it is a gamble, but no one can err if they say that two famous settings are the main focal points: Piazza del Duomo, with the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Giotto bell-tower and the Baptistery, and Piazza della Signoria, with Palazzo Vecchio and the Galleria degli Uffizi, one of the world’s most important art collections. Other attractions are the Basilica of Santa Croce and the church of Santa Maria Novella; San Lorenzo with the Cappelle Medicee; and Via de’ Tornabuoni with Palazzo Strozzi. The astounding list of museums includes Il Bargello and San Marco. Cross Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Pitti with the Galleria Palatina stands on the other side of the Arno; then you climb the hill to the church of San Miniato al Monte. Next, you set off to explore the province, starting of course from Chianti, which is a stone’s throw away and needs no presentation – does anywhere else have such a distinctive landscape, culture, food or wine?