San Gimignano

San Gimignano
Developed from an Etruscan settlement, the medieval walled town of San Gimignano is located in the heart of the Elsa valley in the province of Siena, in the region of Tuscany, Italy. Nestled into its high position in the hills, its 14 towers provide this town with a unique skyline that can beat any... Read more

David di Michelangelo

David di Michelangelo
Michelangelo Buonarroti’s ‘David’ has been hailed as a Renaissance masterpiece and the work of an artistic genius. The statue, sculpted from a leftover block of Carrara marble between 1501 and 1504 when Michelangelo was in his late twenties, towers at a height of 17 feet and represents David about to slay the giant... Read more

Cimitero degli Inglesi

Cimitero degli Inglesi Florence
The Cimitero Degli Inglesi, or the English Cemetery, is a popular place to visit in Florence, and it has an interesting history. Before 1827, if a non-Catholic or non-Jew were to die in Florence, the only place that they would be able to be buried was in Livorno. However, in 1827, the Swiss Evangelical... Read more

Palazzo Pitti

Palazzo Pitti Florence
Palazzo Pitti was purchased in 1550 by Eleonora, wife of Cosimo I de’Medici, but it wasn’t the official home of the Medici family until many decades later. The original Palazzo Pitti looked nothing like the stately palace visitors see today as Eleonora and Cosimo considered themselves interior designers and undertook some major renovations.... Read more

Piazza della Signoria

Piazza Signoria Florence
The large L-shaped Piazza della Signoria is one of the most popular squares in central Florence both for visiting tourists and as a place for local Florentines to meet and gather. The piazza is full of important and beautiful statuary as well as being surrounded by a host of buildings of enormous cultural significance.... Read more

Forte Belvedere

Forte Belvedere Florence
Located high above the Giardino di Boboli and Palazzo Pitti, the Forte Belvedere boasts some of the best views of Florence. Commissioned by Grand Duke Ferdinando I de' Medici and designed by architect Bernardo Buontalenti during 1590-1595, Forte Belvedere is not your typical fort. As well as protecting the Medici treasury, the... Read more

Piazza Santa Maria Novella

Piazza Santa Maria Novella Florence
This peaceful piazza is named for its church, Santa Maria Novella, which sits grandly in the eastern corner of the square. Originally designed by two Dominican friars, the church began construction in the early 13th century, but took until the mid 14th century until it was finally completed. Two further revamps in the 16th... Read more

Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo Florence
Perhaps the most famous view of Florence is that from Piazzale Michelangelo in the Oltrarno district. The sweeping panorama from this terrace has been photographed by tourists continuously throughout the years and shows no sign of losing its popularity. On a clear afternoon from Piazzale Michelangelo the view of the city’s landmarks:... Read more

Basilica di Santa Croce

Chiesa di Santa Croce Florence
The Church of Holy Cross, or Chiesa di Santa Croce, is a beautiful and historic place to visit while in Florence. The church dates back to 1294 but did not receive consecration until 1443 by Eugene IV. Today, this is the main Franciscan church in Florence and is a minor basilica of the Roman... Read more

Galleria degli Uffizi

Galleria degli Uffizi Florence
Situated in central Florence, the Galleria degli Uffizi is widely considered to be one of the most culturally and historically significant art museums in the world receiving 1.5 million visitors every year. A total of 45 rooms display an art collection consisting primarily of paintings dating from the 13th century but there are also many... Read more