From Pisa, its about an hours drive or bus-ride to Florence, the Tuscan capital. At the heart of the city is the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore; known simply as the duomo: a vast Basilica encrusted in panels of green and pink marble, bordered with white and crowned with Brunelleschis infamous dome. 600 years after its completion, the dome is still the largest dome built with bricks and mortar in the world.

Florences finest art gallery, the Uffizi, houses some of the worlds most celebrated art works by Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Botticelli and Titian, to name a few. Many of these works were part of a hefty bequest by the last member of the Medici family ? who ruled Florence for hundreds of years, and were renowned for their patronage of the arts.

It is also a great base from which to journey deeper into the Tuscan hills, as it is situated equidistantly between other worthy destinations such as the Siena (home to the dramatic annual horse race in the Piazza del Campo), Lucca (a stunning medieval town with still-intact Renaissance-era city walls), and Vinci: birthplace of Leonardo. These places are generally reachable via bus, but the hiring of a car for the duration of your stay is recommended, especially if you fancy exploring the hillsides in a little more depth. In terms of ccommodation, Florence is of course heaving with hotels, all scrabbling for tour custom.

Be careful here, because the tarifs can vary wildly from place to place, so it s worth shopping around. Alternatively, you could stay in one of Florences many hostels, which offer a cheaper, often more reliable, service.

The hills surrounding Florence, incised by the river Arno, provide easily accessible and tranquil oases to view the busy city below. Watching the sun set over Brunelleschis dome from one of the villages that dot the hillside is an extraordinary sight: the rooftops glowing orange in the dying light, all trace of city hubbub silenced by the distance, and replaced by a twilight chorus of birds in the olive groves. Tuscany comes into focus at moments like this: its history, its landscapes, its beauty.

When youre heading to foreign lands, dont forget to book travel insurance. If you have an EHIC Card, then this might necessarily provide you with the correct cover if you fall ill while away, but it wont protect you against loss or accidental damage.

Add Your Picture

Article Submitted By: LaylaMorris
This Article Has Been Read 96 Times

---

Remember: The article body, title, author bio and links may not be changed or removed. By publishing this article, you agree to all the terms in our Terms of Service.
Get the HTML for reprinting the article to your site

Rating: Not yet rated

--Choose-- 0 1 2 3 4 5

Top 5 beach holiday destinations in Toronto

Exploring the Culture of Tuscany

Different Places to Visit in Hamilton, New Zealand

Choose a Cyprus Hotel in Pissouri Bay to have a delightful getaway!

A Man's Guide to a Dublin Stag Party

Try Limasssol If You Are Considering A Cyprus Holiday

Ibiza as a Holiday and Home Destination

Enjoy A Memorable Holiday In The Vibrant City Jaipur

Things to Gain at Dharamsala

Goa – Miles of Beaches and Oodles of Fun

Top Tourist Destinations in Singapore

Visit City Palace - Get the Taste of the Royal Life

Place To Visit In Barcelona

Visit scotland and have a great holiday

Things to Do In Edinburgh

---