Description:
Florence (Firenze in Italian) is the capital of the region of Tuscany, on Italy’s northwest coast. Florence is a small city, located in the Arno River valley, and surrounded by olive-planted hills on the north and south. It extends west and slightly east along the Arno valley with suburbs and light industry. The centro storico (historic center), where visitors spend most of their time, is a tight tangle of medieval streets and piazze (squares). Most of Florence, and the majority of the tourist sites, lie north of the river, within a vintage artisan’s working-class neighborhood wedged between the Arno and the hills on the south side. While in Florence, make sure to visit the San Lorenzo Square for a one-of-a-kind shopping experience for leather goods, scarves, jewelry, and other accessories. The Duomo di Firenze is the city’s most beautiful cathedral, which is significant to the city and is also not to be missed.