Florence Holiday
When it comes to making first impressions count, Florence pulls out all the stops
When it comes to making first impressions count, Florence pulls out all the stops. With its lofty domes dwarfing the multitude of bronzed rooftops which span the city, it has captivated many a famous admirer in its time and continues to attract tourists in much the same way as the sirens drew in sailors.
But Florence's is an uneasy beauty - it's striking to the point of overwhelming and standing at the medieval heart of the city, you can't help but feel just a little overawed by the history and culture of the place. Indeed, it's a city seeped in the drama and intrigue of Italy's turbulent past and proudly carries the legacy of its most famous rulers - the powerful and ruthless Medici family.
Fresco fanatics will be in their element with a plethora of religious murals gracing the walls of many Florentine churches. The decorated chapels of Santa Croce and Santa Maria Novella come highly recommended for anyone who wants a gentle warm-up before heading off to marvel at Masaccio's intricate designs in the Cappella Brancacci, and Fra' Angelico's skill in the monks' cells at San Marco.
But even those whose knowledge of art stops at finger painting will at some point end up admiring the fluid lines of the David, Michaelangelo's prize creation on display at the Accademia. The Galleria degli Uffizi is the premier stop on the tourist trail so be prepared to queue and then push your way through the crowds to catch a glimpse of any one of Renaissance masterpieces on show.
A wander round any of the narrow cobbled streets will usually wind back to Brunelleschi's breathtaking cathedral creation with the multicoloured Duomo rising behind the marble-clad Baptistry. Those with strong legs and a good pair of lungs can trek up the stairs for a great panoramic of the city.
Florence is not a city renowned for shopping but those with a penchant for gold should make tracks to the Ponte Vecchio, even if it's just for a spot of window shopping. To sample some of the Florentine and Tuscan delicacies head to San Lorenzo market for cheese, salami and seasonal produce.
The Antica Officina di Santa Maria Novella, is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world where those who are so inclined can buy perfumes made according to formulas dreamt up for Caterina de' Medici. The liqueurs also follow the ancient recipes of the Dominican monks.
When hunger pangs start to kick in then it's never hard to find a take-away slice of pizza or a generous helping of ice cream. A dinner-time trip to one of the city's trattorias will have meat eaters salivating over a bistecca fiorentina - a T-bone steak rubbed with olive oil, salt, lemon, and rosemary and served rare, especially when washed down with a bottle of Chianti from the local vineyards.
Florence is very much a well-worn destination on the trail through Italy, overrun by snap-happy tourists paying extortionate prices for a taste of la dolce vita. But those who are willing to spend a bit of time to get under its skin will find that it may be old in style but it's definitely modern in spirit.
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