Strolling Around Florence

To walk through Florence is to step into one of the most remarkable histories of any European city. From its establishment by Julius Caesar in the first century BC, through its Golden Age at the epicentre of the Italian Renaissance, to its position as an iconic cultural destination in the twenty-first century, Florence is a small city that packs a lot of punch. This is the city of Dante and Boccaccio, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, the Medici, Botticelli, Donatello and the `Mad Monk' Savonarola. Their stories permeate every corner of Florence, but the city's contemporary scene is just as alluring, from cutting edge art and fashion to food. It is only by exploring Florence on foot that the visitor can truly experience everything the city has to offer.

Enjoy exploring Florence in beautiful Tuscany. Florence was the centre of the art Renaissance but also a place of political intrigue. The powerful families vied with each other to gain control of this extraordiary city with many plots, murders, and revolts. Explore the streets of the old town, stroll along the Arno, and of course visit the museums to see all the legendary masterpieces. There are five self-guided walks, and each one will take you step-by-step into the most interesting parts of Florence. They include maps of each walk section to make navigation as easy as possible. Excerpt from the book: "Those of us with a more morbid taste will gaze at Galileo's finger which seems to be making a rather rude gesture, perhaps to Rome for taking nearly 400 years to believe his theories. The museum seems to be gathering bits of Galileo, as they have his thumb, index, and middle finger - that's almost a hand!!"

Those who love to travel and discover the true soul of a city, they know that nothing is better than looking for unusual stories, legends and tales, better if told by city dwellers. This book by Franco Ciarleglio gathers 56 stories on Florence in Middle Age and Renaissance, as a result from a great study on ancient texts found in the historical archives of the city. A book easy to read which can also be used as a tour guide. There are maps of the city center, showing the entire route of the "stroll", and of the ancient walls since Roman times until today.

Now more than ever, you can count on Rick Steves to tell you what you really need to know when traveling through Florence and Tuscany. Walk in the footsteps of the Medici, sip aperitivi, and discover the cultural heart of Italy: with Rick as your guide, Tuscany is yours to discover. Inside Rick Steves Florence & Tuscany you'll find: Fully updated, comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Florence and Tuscany Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo to a 600-year-old perfumery How to connect with local culture: Listen to a street musician's serenade on the Ponte Vecchio, stroll through a morning market sampling freshly-made pasta, and sip full-bodied wines with Montalcino locals at a corner enoteca Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a glass of Chianti Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums Detailed maps for exploring on the go, including driving tours through the heart of Tuscany and Brunello wine country Complete, up-to-date information on Florence, Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Volterra, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino, Cortona, and more Covid-related travel info and resources for a smooth trip Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Florence & Tuscany. Spending less than a week exploring Florence? Try Rick Steves Pocket Florence.