Florence

Florence is most famous for its palaces, churches and museums overflow with paintings and sculpture, and this combination of unequalled beauty with centuries of history is a heady mix. The Duomo is likely to take your breath away, and you may have a hard time regaining your composure after viewing a dizzying succession of other monuments. The spirits of Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Boccaccio, Michelangelo and the Medicis are palpable on virtually any street, and the days of the Renaissance seem close at hand. Florence is essentially a proud, provincial town, with a conservative mentality. In fact, those who deal with the masses of tourists are often the least cordial. But among the Florentines are many who will offer the visitor a warm smile and a helpful gesture. And the vitality of this small city, the robustness of its cuisine, the enduring beauty of its architecture and the richness of its treasures will always educate, exhilarate and dazzle those who visit.