Florence is the cradle of the Renaissance, the city of Michelangelo’s David and Botticelli’s Birth of Venus . It was here that the Italian language was formalized and its literature born under the great poet Dante. Here enlightened Medici princes ruled: Lorenzo the Magnificent encouraged a teenage Michelangelo to pick up a hammer and chisel, and Cosimo II protected Galileo from the Inquisition. If you feel overloaded with art, explore Dante’s medieval neighbourhood or the Oltrarno artisan and antiques quarter across the river; stroll around the Boboli Gardens, or venture to hilltop Fiesole.
For more on Florence (see The Uffizi, Florence, Pitti Palace, Florence andChurches in Florence For more on Florence’s museums (see The Uffizi, Florence, Pitti Palace, Florence) For more on Tuscan museums and art (see Tuscan Masterpieces-
Beloved restaurant with padded benches, soft lighting and assaggi (tasting) dishes allowing you to sample each course.
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Where Florentines go to enjoy old-fashioned dishes – some not for the weak of stomach, such as testicciole (rice stew in a halved sheep’s skull).
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Baldovino is a busy restaurant situated at the side of Santa Croce [ owned by a Scotsman ! ] . As well as serving good traditional Tuscan dishes , Baldovino also serves up good Pizzas from it's wood burning oven . When you eat here you are guaranteed good fare , served up by welcoming and friendly staff . It is popular both with Tourists and also local people . They also have a web site so that you can book a table prior to your visit [ which I inevitably do ! ] . I would highly recommend a meal here . I have enjoyed many on my eight visits to Florence over the past six years .
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Florence's most famous gelato on Via Isole Delle Stinche, a small street just around the corner from Piazza Santa Croce is Cafe Vivoli. Great chocolate flavours. The Vivoli family runs the cafe Vivoli for decades. You can sit at the tables for free and also eat lunch. Try a crema cafe` that is an expresso coffee in a large cup that is lined with luscious vanilla gelato
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Cosy establishment serving typical Tuscan dishes. Good value set menus.
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Wine bar/restaurant in a 15th-century palazzo. The Antinori family has been making Chianti for generations, and the produce comes from their farms.
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Great pastries and wonderful stuffed focaccia sandwiches are on offer at the Cantinetta del Verrazzano, which is owned by the Chianti wine estate (see Chianti Vineyards).
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Where stylish Florentine 30-somethings gather for aperativi . Don’t miss the Sunday brunch in this elegant spot.
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Michelangelo’s nephew’s house. Carvings by the master are on display.
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Though a neighbour, Dante didn’t live here, but the house is filled with documents recreating medieval Florence. His beloved Beatrice is buried in the tiny church across the street.
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Restaurant price categories
For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
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Worldwide Florentine CarnivalThe annual Worldwide Florentine Carnival is an opportunity for pre-Lenten parties with the people of some of Tuscany's most beautiful towns. Head to Florence itself or visit the nearby villages to... Read more
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Women in Power - Caterina and Maria de' MediciHeld at Florence's Palazzo Strozzi, Women in Power - Caterina and Maria de' Medici is an art exhibition revealing how the two queens used powerful images to legitimise their claims to rule over... Read more
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Christmas in FlorenceChristmas in Florence is an impressively wide-ranging series of events, markets, live Nativity scenes, gospel choirs and exhibitions. The initiative shows off 360 degrees of Florence and visitors... Read more
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