Palazzo Ruspoli, Florence

Advantages: A must-see when in Italy.
Disadvantages: Other tourists know that, too.

...to three metres and destroying thousands of artefacts in the churches and museums as happened in the year 1966. When we’ve arrived at the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge), we can turn left and go to the Palazzo Pitti which also houses a fine museum of old and modern art including the furniture and knick-knack of the Pitti family, usually there are no queues waiting to get in. Stand in front of the Palazzo for a while and take in its size, here you can get a feeling for the wealth and power of a Renaissance family. It is the biggest Palazzo in Florence, but not the only one, there are many more in the city centre. Behind the Palazzo Pitti are the Giardini (gardens) Boboli, you have to pay to get in, but they’re certainly worth a visit if you’re tired and have to rest. There are no other parks in the city where you could sit... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Beauty. History, Culture. Good food and wine
Disadvantages: Expensive. Crowded with tourists.

...of Florence's remarkable past. Built towards the end of the 13th century the Piazza Della Signoria has long been the civic center of Florentine life and is a place of great beauty and elegance. The square is dominated by the Palazzo Vecchio a 14th palace, once the home of the Medici, but in May and June soccer matches with the players in medieval costimes are held. On long sultry summer evenings the square attracts the young Florentines as well as a host of tourists. Henry James in referring to Florence wrote "... One is dealing with a solemn brilliance - a harmony of acute tones - that I am not capable of describing." From the Piazzale Michelangelo, you get a superb panoramic view of the great Renaissance city and realize how hard it is to describe the brilliance of Florence, just like Henry James. The best way to explore this perfectly... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Well laid out city, absolutely tons to see, incredible art, great shops, GELATO!
Disadvantages: One day is nowhere near enough

...evicted in the late 1500s by Duke Ferdinando I because, in his opinion, they were too smelly and noisy.... Now you’re more likely to find very posh and expensive jewelers on the bridge. There’s also a bust of Cellini – the most famous of Florence’s goldsmiths – on display. Above street level there’s also Vasari’s corridor. This in an enclosed, elevated walkway that links the Uffizi with Palazzo Pritti, built so the nice comfortable royals wouldn’t have to mix with the common folk on the ground. This is closed at the moment, but should be open again by next year. Via Guicciardini leading off the bridge takes you to Via Mazetta. Follow this as it turns into Via Sant Agostino and Via Santa Monica at which point you’ll find the BRANCACCI CHAPEL(10am-4pm, 3.50 Euros / 2.30 Euros, www... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful