Florence City Guide
The beautiful city of Florence provides tourists with a great cultural experience due to the locally produced Tuscan foods and wines on offer, the gardens to relax in and the old monuments to explore and gain historical insight about.
Cuisine
The main foods which come out of Florence are the cheeses and meats. The hearty foods consist of many wine-braised or roasted meats such as boar, deer and rabbit. This warm way of life also can be seen through the chunky thick soups which are found at many Tuscan meals. Also the cuisine centres on breads and oils which the Italian’s pride themselves on for their quality. These meals provide tourists with fascinating historical and cultural information alongside the great tastes which excite the taste buds.
Some excellent places to eat are the Pitti Gola e Cantini which is situated opposite the Pitti Palace. The cosy atmosphere created by the candlelit tables situated close to the wine shelves provide you with a perfect Italian experience. There are many great meals on offer alongside the extensive amount of wine to choose from. Another traditional restaurant is the Boccadama in the Piazza Santa Croce. This takes you away from the typical tourist restaurants and allows you to feast on Tuscan cuisine by candlelight.
Tourist attractions
A very important place to visit whilst in Florence is the old palace Palazzo Vecchio. During the 16th Century the palace saw a renovation which can now be marveled at by visitors. The sumptuous interior is truly is fitting for its past role as the seat of government and as the housing of the ruling family. This palace is now used as a museum enabling you to further your cultural experience. There are many quarters and areas enabling you to have a fun daytrip there. Another great cultural spot is The Pitti Palace which was erected during the 400s in order for the funder to highlight his power by producing a grand Palace. The interior of this building has the luxury expected to be found in a building which housed important families. This Palace contains many Florentine museums and galleries alongside its famous Boboli gardens.
Parks and Gardens
The great Tuscan weather means there are some great parks and gardens to visit which contain abundances of plants and flowers. The Bardini Garden offers you views over the Arno River and Montecuccoli hill. During the 18th Century the garden gained the fountains and mosaics which are also present today. As well as observing the many flowers, there is also an agricultural section which grows fruit trees and hydrangeas. Another garden, which is joined onto the Pitti Palace, is the Boboli Gardens which hosts many statues and fountains. There are many sections to explore such as the Cypress Alley and the stone Amphitheatre.
The picturesque city of Florence has many tourists flocking to the area due to its beauty and scenery. The gardens and monument which are on offer really live up to this need and expectation. Alongside the its striking beauty, you can also enjoy the city’s culture through its sights and its cuisine.
Map of Florence