Spent 5 days in this wonderful city and I think it’s still not enough.
Considered as the birthplace of the Renaissance and cited by Forbes as one of the most beautiful places in the world, here are some places of interest we visited:
✅ Florence Cathedral – also known as Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flowers).  It is popularly known as Il Duomo and is located in Piazza del Duomo.  The Piazza is also home to other two (2) famous buildings in the world — the Baptistery and Giotto’s Campanile.  Together they are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The grand facade of the cathedral is a mix of green and pink which looks like puzzle pieces to me when viewed outside.

The grand facade of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore

Across the cathedral is the Baptistry- octagonal in shape, it is famous for its three sets of artistic bronze doors with religious sculptures. One of the doors, the east doors, were dubbed by Michelangelo the ‘Gates of Paradise’. The Italian poet Dante was baptized here.  Inside, be prepared to be awed by the shimmering mosaic ceiling.

The octagonal Baptistry

The golden mosaic

✅Uffizi Gallery – art gallery where you can admire works by famous artists such as Boticelli,  da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Rembrandt among others

Michelangelo’s ‘the Holy Family wtih the infant St. John the Baptist

Boticelli’s Birth of Venus

da Vinci’s Annunciation

Verrochio & da Vinci’s Baptism of Christ

✅ Ponte Vecchio or ‘Old Bridge’ – back in the olden days, butchers initially occupied the shops; present tenants are now jewelers, art dealers and souvenir sellers.

Ponte Vecchio in the background

The shops near Ponte Vecchio

✅Palazzo Pitti – short walk from the Ponte Vecchio, this was used as a power base by Napoleon. Inside, one can visit the Boboli Gardens – which offers great view of the city. The gardens were also featured in Dan Brown’s ‘Inferno’

the grounds of Palazzo Pitti

huge head statue in Boboli Gardens

trees lined up at the Boboli Gardens

✅Palazzo Vecchio – Home to ‘The Salone dei Cinquecento’ or Hall of the Five Hundred. The Hall is considered to be the most important room in the palace.
Th two greatest Florentine artists – da Vinci and Michelangelo, were commissioned for the construction of two large murals to decorate the walls of the room. The two geniuses had an opportunity to work together, but none of their work was ever completed.

Another important article in the Hall is a fresco by Giorgio Vasari, representing the Battle of Marciano where Vasari painted the words “cerca trova” on a triangular green flag: they literally mean “seek find” – widely believed to be a clue to a hidden work of da Vinci.
The death mask of Dante is also housed in Palazzo Vecchio.

the controversial painting with ‘cerca trova’

Dante’s death mask

✅ Basilica di Santa Croce – resting place of some of the most famous Italians — Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli among others.

Dante’s tomb

Machiavelli’s tomb

Elaborate tomb of Michelangelo

✅Galleria dell’Accademia – famous for its sculptures by the great Renaissance artist, Michelangelo such as Prisoners (or Slaves), and the magnificent 14 feet statue of David.

one of the four sculptures of Michelangelo from his “Prisoners’ series

Michelangelo’s Pieta

The majestic 14 feet statue of David

✅ Piazzale Michelangelo – a square dedicated to Michelangelo. Climbing the 100+ steps is worth it as one is rewarded with the panoramic, breathtaking view of the city of Florence. The square also features a replica of his famous statue, David.

✅Sidetrip to Pisa – an hour by train is the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Other places of interest within the complex are the Cathedral and the Baptistry which are all within walking distance

Family pic with the leaning tower

Pisa’s Baptistry, the largest Baptistry in Italy

The elaborate pulpit inside Pisa’s cathedral

Here are pictures of authentic Italian food for you to enjoy!

italian breakfast

Gelato!

Pasta marinara and salad