By: Linda Eades
I recently had the opportunity to visit anywhere I wanted to go in Western Europe. With so many options to choose from, I had a hard time deciding. I ultimately decided on Italy, with most of my time being spent in Florence. WOW!
Florence has something to offer everyone from the art lover, foodie, architecture buff, chocoholic to the shopaholic — this city is a must see and really should be on everyone’s bucket list. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is home to iconic pieces of art and architecture. From the gorgeous marble churches, to the Uffizi and Accademia (don’t forget your reservation), the sights are like no other city I have ever visited. Florence truly is a walkable city, with wonderful restaurants, museums, leather shops etc. There are numerous public squares throughout the city, which make a great place for taking in street entertainers or simply a nice place to sit and people-watch. Some of the main attractions not to be missed are the Duomo, the Ponte Vecchio, and the Vasari Corridor.
Florence is also a great place for day trips into Tuscany, visiting cities such as Siena and San Gimignano, or taking an excursion to one of the nearby vineyards or olive groves. Another great idea is to try out a cooking school with stops at the local market for fresh ingredients.
Italians are a warm and friendly people, many of whom will offer suggestions on what they believe are highlights of their beautiful city. One suggestion I received was to “get lost” wandering this fabulous city. Once I realized there was no negative connotation intended, I laughed. Florence has so many things to see and to do, it truly is a great city in which to “get lost” … and have an absolutely lovely time doing so!