Admire Michelangelo’s David in Florence

Florence is the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region and the birthplace of the Renaissance. For any lover of the visual arts, there is no greater experience than a visit to the home of architecture, painting and sculpture.

Between 1300 and 1500, an extraordinary transformation known as the Renaissance took place in European civilization. This cultural movement was centred in Florence before spreading throughout Europe. It was a revolution in thought which broke the medieval mindset forever and created the intellectual climate which gave rise to the modern world. Florence produced men of the stature of Dante, Giotto, Donatello, Brunelleschi, Leonardo and Michelangelo during this golden period of cultural activity.

Explore the religious and political centres of Florence on a visit to the Duomo, the Baptistery, the Monastery of San Marco with the paintings of Fra Angelico as well as the famous Uffizi art gallery, the great churches of Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, and San Lorenzo and the Medici and Pitti palaces. Examine fresco cycles by Masaccio, Ghirlandaio, and Andrea del Sarto, and some of the greatest sculptures from the hand of Michelangelo.

Away from the world of art, a visit to Florence is a culinary experience par excellence. Tuscan cuisine is just as famous as the wines of the region are, notably Chianti, Montalcino and Montepulciano. Visit the lively markets and shops in the city, exhibiting the traditional crafts of Florence from wonderful leather to delicate gold work.