Situated in Italy, Florence is a beautiful city of stones offering world class galleries, stone sculptures, architecture, culture and rich history to its visitors. Many consider this Italian city a visual delight, which is why thousands of tourists choose Florence as their holiday destination for visit every year.
From a huge list of places to visit, here are some of the marvelous attractions that are a must see when you visit this beautiful city:
Piazza della Signoria
This is an eminent square in the heart of the city which boasts stunning sculptures and statuary like replicas of Judith Beheading Holofernes and Donatello's Marzocco, portrayal of Cosimo de Medici by Giambologna, replicas of Michelangelo's David and original as well as real Perseus slaying Medusa by Cellini. The square is surrounded with trendy cafes, shopping centre and restaurants full with locals as well as tourists on a holiday in Florence.
Palazzo Vecchio
Situated close to Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio is a marvelous palace holding a collection finest art work, history rich collection and an elegant architecture. While on a trip to Florence, Palazzo Vecchio is a worth visiting classic tourist attraction.
Ponte Vecchio
Built in year 1345, this bridge is a major tourist attraction and comes with history. While the bridge is popular with shops selling silver and gold jewelry, tourist and visitors love to visit it for its beauty and the fact that it's the only Florentine construction that survived the era of World War II.
Galleria degli Uffizi
For every art lover visiting Florence, a visit to the Uffizi gallery can add to the experience. This tourist attraction presents a breathtaking collection of 300 sculptures, 1700 paintings and huge number of remarkable artifacts. Some of these include collection of Baroque art, Italian Renaissance and Botticelli's "Birth of Venus". Some of the eminent artists whose work can be cherished at this gallery are Giotto, Raphael, Botticelli, Perugino, Michelangelo, Dante, Leonardo da Vinci and Rubens.
The Duomo
This tourist attraction draws a huge number of tourist and visitors as well as locals to it due too its architecture rich construction. The building has white, green and pink color marbles on the outside and amazing doors as well as out of ordinary statues in its interiors. On a trip to Florence, you must not miss the opportunity of enjoying the view of the city from this cathedral.
Boboli Garden
When on a holiday in Florence with family, you can always enjoy a great picnic or family time in this sculpture rich garden with great view and beautiful fountains.
Santa Croce
This tourist attraction of Florence is a Franciscan church that consists of tombs of significant Florentines like Dante and Michelangelo. Located in the Piazza Santa Croce, the building is known for its rich interior with the glass windows. Every year hundreds of tourists and visitors make this attraction a part of their sightseeing on their trip to Florence.
Best time to visit or holiday in Florence
The ideal time to enjoy a trip to Florence would be in months of May, June, September and October.
Situated in the north of Italy, Venice is also popular with names like city of water, La Dominante, city of bridges and many more. This fairy tale city has no cars allowed and the only way to move around this city is either by water or foot. The city has a touch of romance and architecture to it, making it a great holiday destination.
When visiting Venice or holidaying in Venice following are some of the things to do and see:
Piazza San Marco
St. Mark's Square is a popular tourist attraction and also is the most important square in Venice. The square also has Basilica, clock tower, major religious and political construction, shops, bars and amazing cafes such as café Quadri and café Florian. The square is usually crowded with lots of tourists and visitors holidaying in Venice as well as large flock of pigeons.
Murano
Situated in the northern Venice, Murano is a well known glass industry and is a must to visit tourist attraction when holidaying in Venice. The island can be reached by free boat rides from the St. Mark Square and is often visited by foreign tourists and local visitors. Murano has lot to offer from glass making shop and factories to glass museum. When on a holiday in Venice, do not forget to buy a lovely glass souvenir to take back with you.
Basilica San Marco
Situated at the St. Mark's square, this gothic church of Venice goes back to 1063 and is a beautiful tourist attraction not to be missed, when on a holiday in Venice. The church has rich archeological structure and also possesses domes, mosaics, altar and amazing statues.
Gondolas
Experiencing this city over water through gondolas is a not only romantic, but something that can't be done in any other city. While many tourists are found enjoying their gondola ride in the dusk and dawn, the gondolas are also famous among local country visitors. A holiday in Venice is always incomplete without a ride through the canals of this city over water, via amazing gondolas.
Grand Canal
This 3 km in length and 70 metres in width canal is the largest and most popular canal in Venice; it also acts as one of the route of this city over water. The Grand Canal takes has a spectacular view of beautiful structures or buildings, which includes baroque church of Santa Maria Della Salute, the Ca'd'Oro, the Accademia Gallery, the Grassi as well as the Palaces Grimani and Corner-Spinelli. The Grand Canal undergoes three major bridges Rialto, Scalzi and Accademia.
Markets
Venice or city over water has some amazing collections of shops in its markets. One major market of Venice, visited by tourist and visitors on frequent bases, is Rialto market. This market is known for fruits, vegetables and fresh fish (which come straight from the lagoon). Apart from stalls of fruits and vegetable, the market also boost nearby streets of butcher shops. Other such famous local markets are Campo Santa Margerita and Strada Nuova, Cannaregio.
Lido
When holidaying in Venice taking a ride to Lido can be a good idea. The island is situated between the sea and Venice. From private beaches, public beaches and Cabanas on rent are not the only fascinating attractions in Lido; you can always enjoy the restaurants, cafes, hotels and the beach activities for that great holiday.
Best time to visit or holiday in Venice
Best time to holiday in Venice is the busy season of June all the way through September. Many tourist and visitors also plan a holiday in Venice during the carnival month of February