We’re going to the city that changed the world this week.

Florence’s story as a world-changing place begins in the 13th century, when a family of Tuscan bankers started accumulating more wealth and power than most European kings. The Medici family, led at their peak by Lorenzo de’ Medici (Lorenzo the Magnificent) didn’t just control Florence’s finances, they became the most important patrons of art and learning in the Western world. They funded painters, sculptors, architects, and philosophers at a scale that had never been seen before.

The Renaissance emerged from their patronage. IT was a growth of art, science, and human thought that would reshape European civilization and echoes everywhere you look in Florence today.

Brunelleschi engineered a dome that nobody believed was possible and built it anyway. Botticelli painted The Birth of Venus here. Leonardo da Vinci trained here. Michelangelo carved David here between 1501 and 1504, when he was still in his twenties.

Florence was a republic for much of this period, fiercely independent, periodically turbulent, occasionally violent.

Dante was born and exiled here. Machiavelli served its government and wrote The Prince here after being thrown out of it. Galileo lived and worked nearby under the protection of the Medici until the Church came for him.

The city never quite matched that peak again after the Medici era ended and Tuscany passed through foreign hands, including those of the Spanish, Austrian, French, and eventually unified Italian rule.

But the art never left. The Uffizi, the Accademia, the Duomo, the Palazzo Vecchio all still hold the work that was made here when Florence was the most creative city on earth.

Walking through Florence today you are walking through the place where the modern world began to take shape, one painting, one dome, one sculpture at a time. It inspires use to contribute the little we can to the world. It will do the same for you.

Florence is one of those cities where you can turn a corner and suddenly find yourself standing in front of a Renaissance masterpiece.

Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is filled with incredible art, architecture, food, and history. And the best part? The historic center is compact enough that you can explore much of it on foot.

Whether you're visiting for two days or using Florence as a base for exploring Tuscany, this is a city that deserves time to wander.

The Duomo di Firenze, officially the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, is Florence's most recognizable landmark. And yet, for reasons we’ll never know, our guide had us skip this landmark on our tour with him. We came back later without him to marvel at its beauty.

The cathedral itself is impressive, but the star of the complex is Brunelleschi's enormous dome. Construction of the dome was an incredible engineering achievement for its time, and it remains one of the defining features of Florence's skyline.

If you're up for a workout, you can climb the 463 steps to the top of the dome. The climb takes you through the interior of the dome, giving you an up-close look at the artwork before you reach the panoramic views at the top.

The Duomo complex also includes Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery of St. John, the Opera del Duomo Museum, and the archaeological area of Santa Reparata. Different monuments require different passes, so check the official ticketing information before your visit.

If there's one work of art you absolutely need to see in Florence, it's Michelangelo's David.

The original sculpture is inside the Galleria dell'Accademia, and seeing it in person is completely different from seeing photographs of it.

The nearly 17-foot marble sculpture was created by Michelangelo between 1501 and 1504. It depicts the biblical David before his battle with Goliath and has become one of the most famous sculptures in the world.

Give yourself a few minutes to simply walk around it and notice the details. The hands, feet, muscles, veins, and expression are remarkable.

Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze is a relatively compact museum, so you can see David without needing to dedicate an entire day to the museum. Timed entry is a good idea, particularly during busy travel periods.

Art lovers could easily spend hours inside the Uffizi Galleries.

The collection includes masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Caravaggio, Giotto, and many other major artists.

Look for Botticelli's The Birth of Venus and Primavera.

Walk across Florence's most famous bridge, which spans the Arno River and is lined with shops.

Today you'll find mostly jewelry shops along the bridge. For a beautiful view, walk along the river and photograph Ponte Vecchio from one of the nearby bridges.

This square feels like an outdoor museum.

You'll find Palazzo Vecchio, sculptures, fountains, and a replica of Michelangelo's David. The replica stands where the original David once stood before being moved to the Accademia for preservation.

For one of the best views of Florence, head up to Piazzale Michelangelo.

You can see the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, Santa Croce, the Arno, and the city's terracotta rooftops from above.

Go around sunset if you can.

Cross the Arno into the Oltrarno neighborhood and you'll find Palazzo Pitti and the expansive Boboli Gardens.

The palace houses several museums, while the gardens offer a chance to escape the busy streets of central Florence.

Refer a friend using your referral link at the bottom of this email so they can see it too. In addition, you’ll get a copy of our “Wonders of the World” eBook if it’s your first referral.

Florence has its own airport, Amerigo Vespucci Airport (FLR), which is located relatively close to the city.

For many travelers arriving from another European city, flying into Florence is convenient.

Another popular option is taking the train. Firenze Santa Maria Novella is the city's main train station and has high-speed connections to cities including Rome, Milan, Venice, and Bologna.

If you're traveling around Italy, the train is an especially easy way to add Florence to your itinerary.

You probably won't need a car in Florence.

The historic center is compact and very walkable, and many of the biggest attractions are within minutes of one another.

There are buses and trams for destinations farther outside the historic center.

Taxis are also available, but for most sightseeing days, your feet will be your primary mode of transportation.

And a warning for anyone packing cute shoes: Florence is a cobblestone city.

Bring something comfortable with good traction.

Hotel Santa Maria Novella - near Piazza del Duomo, buffet breakfast included

The Frame Hotel La Gioconda Ritrovata - a hotel with history: in 1911 the Mona Lisa (known as La Gioconda in Italian) was stolen from the Louvre in Paris. It was discovered here in 1913, in room 20. Authorities recovered the painting from the room. Today, Mona Lisa artwork is featured throughout the property.

Floren Hotel - located in the heart of Florence, buffet breakfast included

Bernini Palace - near the Duomo, buffet breakfast included

Florence is a great place to eat your way through Tuscany.

Bistecca alla Fiorentina is one of the city's most famous dishes. This enormous Tuscan-style steak is traditionally grilled over a hot fire and served rare to medium-rare.

Ribollita is a hearty Tuscan soup made with vegetables, beans, and bread.

Try pappa al pomodoro, another classic Tuscan dish made with tomatoes, bread, olive oil, and basil.

For something quick, look for a lampredotto sandwich. It's a traditional Florentine street food made with slow-cooked beef stomach. It may sound intimidating, but it's one of the city's signature foods.

For dessert, look for gelato. Just remember that colorful mounds of gelato is not the real deal. Look for gelato stored in flat metal containers rather than enormous, brightly colored piles.

For a fun food stop, visit il Mercato Centrale Firenze in the San Lorenzo neighborhood. The market has fresh food downstairs and a large food hall upstairs.

Florence is a walking city, so pack accordingly.

If you're planning to climb Brunelleschi's Dome or Giotto's Bell Tower, comfortable shoes are especially important.

And if you visit the Duomo, remember that it is an active cathedral. Appropriate clothing is required for entry.

Book your major attractions ahead of time.

The Duomo complex, the Accademia, and the Uffizi can all get extremely busy, and some experiences have timed entry.

The official Duomo website provides the available passes for the cathedral complex, while the Uffizi has its own official online ticketing system.

I would plan your days around your timed attractions rather than trying to squeeze everything in spontaneously.

For example, book David in the morning, explore the Duomo area afterward, and save the Uffizi for another part of the day.

Florence is a city where it's easy to get caught up trying to see everything.

Don't.

Yes, you should see the Duomo. Yes, you should stand in front of David. Yes, you should visit the Uffizi if art is your thing.

But some of your favorite Florence memories might come from the moments in between.

Florence isn't just a place to check Renaissance masterpieces off your list.

It's a city to slow down and experience.

Here are a few of our affiliate links to help you when in Florence. It’s no extra cost to you and helps us keep this email free for everyone. 😀

See you next week,

Trisha & Bob