Cruises from Florence & Pisa - Livorno

Florence is a city in Italy, and it is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. Florence is Tuscany’s most popular city with a population of about 364,000 people. Florence is located on the coast of Arno and has a rich history, especially in regards to the arts and architecture. The city of Florence has also been the centre of finance and trade relations among many European countries in the past. The importance of Florence in the medieval ages, especially during the Italian renaissance, cannot be over emphasised. Many have tagged the city as ‘the Athens of the Middle Ages’, owing to that fact.

As a result of its importance, the city served as Italy’s capital between 1865 and 1870. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982, this holiday destination has been a very popular place of vacation and still attracts millions of visitors, with the numbers increasing considerably each year. Florence’s landmarks earn the city great respect among the other picturesque Italian cities. Popularly known as the ‘cradle of Renaissance’, the city of Florence is characterised by several monuments, ancient churches and beautiful buildings. A site to view in Florence is Santa Maria del Fiore, the architectural masterpiece of Florence - the city’s Cathedral.

The magnificent building was the handiwork of Filippo Brunelleschi. Also worth mentioning are the Campanile tower as well as the Baptistery buildings. All these scenic buildings are wonderful sights that tourists usually relish during their stay in the ancient city of Florence. A fascinating thing about Santa Maria del Fiore is its ability to stand the test of time, as 600 years after its erection it is still the world’s largest building made with bricks and mortar. In order to fully appreciate Florence, be sure to find accommodation right in the centre of this wonderful city.

Residing there will enable you to see the Bartolomeo Ammanati`s Fountain of Neptune (1563-1565) in Piazza della Signoria. Christians may find worshiping at the Church of San Lorenzo highly significant to them. This church houses the Medici Chapel. Just close by is the Uffizi Gallery. This gallery was founded by one of the Medici family members. The Medici family, a household name in the city during the middle ages, commanded a great deal of respect in Florence. Florence is situated along the Arno River as well as near three smaller rivers. It rests in a pleasant geographic location among the hills of Senese Clavey, Careggi, Fiesole, Settignano, Arcetri, Poggio Imperiale and Bellosguardo.

Florence’s climate changes from hot, humid summers with little rainfall to cool, damp winters. And, June through to August will experience a lot of heat. It’s advisable to spend the summer holidays along the coastline for more friendly temperatures due to the prevailing wind. Snowfalls are occasional in winter. Florence boasts of a variety of dining options, from local to foreign. Meat is the major ingredient in all their cuisines. Many relish eating Florence’s main course, bistecca alla fiorentina. The famous salt-less Tuscan Bread is usually included in several of Florence’s restaurants.