"The Creator made Italy from designs by Michelangelo." --Mark Twain

In this blog I'm introducing famous and beautiful cities of Europe.

Florence the city of ITALY  know as

• ^#1in Best Romantic European Getaways
• ^#7in Best Places to Visit in Europe
• ^#8in Best Family Vacations in Europe
• ^#8in Best Honeymoon Destinations

his little city, tucked amid the Tuscan hills, casts a long shadow through history. The wellspring of the Renaissance, Firenze (or Florence) sheltered the powerful Medici family and inspired artists like Michelangelo (David) and Brunelleschi (the Duomo). If it weren’t for the fashionable Italians and chic shops lining Via Tornabuoni, you might think you had traveled back in time to the 14th century. But Renaissance art is not the only reason to come: You also visit Florence for its gorgeous sunsets, its Italian cooking and its unbeatable romantic charm.

How To Save Money in Florence

• Book a hotel on the outskirtsFor a somewhat more authentic (not to mention, cost-efficient) experience, book a hotel on the outskirts. You’ll get to wake up to the glory of the Tuscan hills, and you’re simply a quick train ride from Renaissance central.
• One or the otherFor that postcard view, we suggest you pay the admittedly high fee to climb to the top of the Duomo. The nearby Baptistry offers just about the same view for a price, but we’re partial to the Duomo. Do one or the other and save a few euro.
• Dine smartStay away from the tourist attractions when you’re hungry — restaurants are generally overpriced here. In and around Mercato Centrale is a good place to find cheaper Italian food.

Florence Culture & Customs

The idea of la bella figura is one that is extremely important in Italian culture. Literally translated as "the beautiful figure," la bella figura covers everything from a person's dress to his or her actions and manners -- to Italians, all of life should be beautiful.

Picking up a few Italian phrases is helpful and even attempting the language will win you points with Italians, who are usually more than willing to help if they see you trying. In any kind of store or restaurant, it is appropriate to greet and say goodbye to employees even if you do not purchase anything. A buongiorno on your way in and anarrivederci on your way out should cover it. Ciao is also acceptable but is less formal. Like in America, please (per favore) and thank you (grazie) will go a long way.

Many establishments -- restaurants, grocery stores and tourist attractions -- close on Sundays. And although Florence attractions tend to open at a normal hour, many will take a midday siesta after the lunch hour. And some Florence attractions are closed an additional day a week (besides Sunday), so be sure to research attractions' hours before making your itinerary.

In comparison to the United States, Italians have a less strict sense of personal space. Do not be surprised if they go further than a handshake at first meetings. Cheek-to-cheek and mouth-to-cheek kisses are not unusual, even between two men. Follow their lead and note: Reciprocation is bella figura; to pull away would be rude.

Speaking of rude, you should avoid pointing with your index finger, as most Italians point using all four fingers. And never point at something with just your index and pinky together. It is considered very vulgar.

Florence Dining

For many Italians, the food you'll find in tourist-heavy Florence does not offer a real Tuscan dining experience. Restaurants tend to be overpriced and the quality is not the best. That said, recent travelers praise the delicious Italian food and warm ambience of Pitti Gola e Cantina and the Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco, near the Boboli Gardens. Head to either Santa Croce for authentic Tuscan food or travel across the Arno for the best establishments. 

Tuscan cuisine is all about simplicity. Hearty pastas flavored only with a few ingredients are still somehow rich and multi-faceted. Fish and meats are also well-represented in the Tuscan repertoire. Like most of the Mediterranean, olive oil is an important ingredient in almost every dish.

Florence is also filled with a multitude of gelato stands. The pistachio flavor is the key to differentiating between the good ones from the not-so-great ones (the darker the colot, the better). You'll find authenticgelaterias with pistachio gelato around the Piazza di Santa Croce.

Keep in Mind...

• Say no to knock-offsIn Florence, it’s illegal to buy knock-off Gucci and Prada bags. If the cops catch you purchasing a fake item, you can be fined thousands of dollars.
• Reserve aheadThe lines outside the Uffizi and the Galleria dell’Accademia are almost always tortuously long. Spend a few extra euro, and make your museum reservation in advance.
• Eat lateDo as the Italians do and eat late — lunch at about 1:30 or 2 p.m. and dinner around 9 p.m.

Florence is an ideal city for art enthusiasts and history buffs. Historical churches and museums dot the city, all filled with classical masterpieces and renaissance political dramas begging to be told. And while you're here, be sure to check out some of Florence's leather products, a Florentine specialty. Sadly, the one area where Florence might be lacking is attractions for kids; it's probably best to choose a different destination if you're bringing the family.

Those who like a little extra guidance might enjoy some of Florence's top-rated tours, including a guided convoy through Tuscany with 500 Touring Club, a walking food tour with Taste Florence or a mix of exercise and sightseeing with Bicycle Tuscany.

• Obviously, you'll want to check out the iconic masterpieces like Michelangelo's David (at the Accademia) and Botticelli's Birth of Venus (at the Uffizi), but try to make time for less visited but equally worthwhile Florence museums like the Bargello or the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi, as well as excursions to outlying sights like Fiesole or San Miniato al Monte." -- Concierge.com
• Start off at the city's most awe-inspiring work of architecture, the Duomo, climbing to the top of the dome if you have the stamina. … Set aside the afternoon for the Galleria degli Uffizi, making sure to reserve tickets in advance." -- Fodor's

Sightseeing

As the birthplace of the Renaissance, the huge number of historical buildings (many of which double as museums) and churches should come as no surprise. From Brunelleschi's architectural masterpiece, the Duomo to the shop-lined Ponte Vecchio bridge, you can spend days here and still get lost in the details.

• The Ponte Vecchio. This famous storefront-lined bridge used to be home to some of the city's highest quality jewelers. Today, the stalls are geared more to tourist trinkets. Best to look at it from another bridge -- Ponte alle Grazie or Ponte di Santa Trinità." --Forbes Traveler
• You can easily explore Tuscany using Florence as a base: enjoy the medieval splendours of Siena, Pisa, Lucca and San Gimignano, and wander the undulating Chianti countryside." -- Lonely Planet

Museums

Florence features some of the top museums in the world with pieces from some of the best and most well-known artists in history. It would be a huge shame to go to Florence and not see the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi). Every room is chock full of artistic masterpieces like Birth of Venus by Botticelli; theMadonna of the Goldfinch by Raphael and the Venus of Urbinoby Titian. Avoid the very long lines and make a reservation before going to the museum.

You can also make reservations to enter the Galleria dell'Accademia north of the Uffizi Gallery to see Michelangelo'sDavid statue. Visitors and art lovers flock around the Plexiglas railing at feet of the giant masterpiece. Created in the 1500s and standing at 17 feet, the statue towers over and overwhelms the Renaissance paintings that fill the rest of the museum.

The Pitti Palace (Palazzo Pitti) is a palace south of the Arno that now houses a collection of museums and sits in front of theBoboli Gardens. Highlights include the Galleria del Costume, which displays Italian fashions from a span of a few hundred years. The Galleria Palatina features paintings from the 15th to the 17th centuries, including a couple Titian's and several Raphael's, in halls that still look much like the way the Medici family left them.

• Note that museum tickets can be booked in advance for major Florence museums at the Firenze Musei Web site, www.firenzemusei.it. However, only the Galleria degli Uffizi and the Galleria dell'Accademia generally have the kind of lines that make advance booking advisable." -- Concierge.com
• The Uffizi is one of the world's great museums. … The museum is deceptively small. What looks like a small stretch of gallery space can easily gobble up half a day -- many rooms suffer the fate of containing nothing but masterpieces." -- Frommer's

Attractions for Kids

Older kids and teenagers can probably appreciate Florence's art and culture better than young kids. That said though, outdoor attractions like the Boboli Gardens in the Oltrarno are probably your best bet for the little ones. They are free to run through the outdoors, which would be a nice change of pace after a long day of indoor museums.

• Teens like browsing the Piazza Santa Croce because of the area's abundant leather shops. They'll also enjoy bargaining with the jewelry vendors lining the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge)." -- Away.com
• So much art and science in one place, it's boggling. While traveling in Florence with kids, take the relaxed view and don't overdo the museums -- also explore the old city walls and gardens in the Oltrarno area." --Travel for Kids

Shopping

Florence is a shopper's dream. Street markets, like the Mercato di San Lorenzo across the Arno, are busy and chaotic, with vendors hawking their wares for every price. The city is known for leather, and you'll find that most of the stands are selling it. Be warned: Those on the streets outside of the market tend to display their goods on sheets on the ground for easy and quick transport should the authorities come by. Buying from them is illegal; if caught, you can be heavily fined.

• All the stall keepers promise 'the lowest prices in Florence.' That so-called lowest price is usually far from it, and the best part of shopping here is using every bargaining trick in the book to drive the 'lowest price' even lower." -- Frommer's
• Yes, the flea market in Piazza San Lorenzo is a zoo, but it's a zoo with amazing deals - if you're willing to roll up your sleeves and follow a few tips. First, avoid any stands where the merchant doesn't speak Italian -- that's a sign that those soft leather gloves were actually imported from China. Then, be sure to avoid anyone who barks or wants to haggle -- true Florentine craftsmen won't do either." -- New York Times

Nightlife

Florence is an expensive city and its nightlife is no exception. Cover charges at dance clubs are generally steep and drink prices follow that trend. Look for free flyers on the streets to get into clubs for cheap. Then do as the Florentines do and go to happy hour. Most bars will serve food with the purchase of a drink.

• Florentines are rather proud of their nightlife options. Most bars now have some sort of happy hour, which usually lasts for many hours and often has snacks that can substitute for a light dinner. … Clubs typically don't open until very late in the evening and don't get crowded until 1 or 2 in the morning. Though the cover charges can be steep, finding free passes around town is fairly easy." -- Fodor's
• For a taste of night life, follow the sound of boisterous Italians and techno music to Angels ...  where slick 30-somethings meet for midnight martinis." --Away.com