The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Uffizi Gallery and Michelangelo's David are just three things that make this city so impressive. Here's how to make the best of one day in Florence.
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00:00Welcome to Florence, a renaissance gem in this amazing city.
00:06Welcome to Florence, the most beautiful renaissance city.
00:10You know what? This really isn't working. Can we start over again?
00:14Starting over early in the morning. That is so much better.
00:20Florence is an incredible city, but it can get very, very crowded.
00:23So if you don't plan your visit right, you might not enjoy it.
00:27I'm going to show you how to have a great time here and avoid the crowds as much as possible.
00:33We'll learn about the city's renaissance history, check out some of my favorite places,
00:38try some local Tuscan cuisine, and even have a moment alone with someone very special.
00:44Personally, I love Florence.
00:47I spent a lot of time here in my 20s when I was studying,
00:50and I'm really excited to show you around today.
00:53We begin at the Duomo, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral,
00:58the heart of Florence's historic center.
01:01It's also free to enter, by the way.
01:06So impressive.
01:09If you don't mind waiting in line, you can also go up to the top for a great view.
01:17The best way to get around the center is to walk.
01:20I really recommend you get off the busy streets and explore some of the little side streets.
01:25Honestly, you never know what you're going to find.
01:27Like, look, we just walked down the street and here is the house of poet Dante Alighieri.
01:32I mean, that's incredible, right?
01:37Speaking of famous names, you can't come to Florence without learning about the Medici.
01:42The Medici family ruled Florence from the 15th to 18th centuries,
01:47and they filled the city with their architectural and artistic commissions.
01:52The Medici are closely associated with the Italian Renaissance,
01:56the cultural and political rebirth after the Middle Ages
01:59that was marked by a rediscovery of classical philosophy, architecture, literature, and art.
02:05I meet up with tour guide Fulvio De Bonis in Piazza della Signoria,
02:10one of the most famous squares in Italy.
02:13Welcome to the center of the political Florentine power.
02:17Yeah.
02:18You're standing right in the middle.
02:20Isn't it amazing?
02:21Power center, Renaissance power.
02:24Correct, correct.
02:25I feel it.
02:27Fulvio tells me that the banking industry and wool trade made the city wealthy.
02:32The wealthiest of the 1400s.
02:35That's why this was the place where the Renaissance started.
02:41Next, we head to Piazza della Repubblica.
02:44The name of Florence, Florenzia, is from Flora, the goddess of abundancy, of fertility.
02:51And you still see the statue of Flora, this beautiful lady,
02:59up above the ancient column, the granite column.
03:04And now the city's famous bridge, the Ponte Vecchio.
03:07Let's start from the name.
03:08Why Old Bridge?
03:10Because it was the only bridge that was not knocked down,
03:14destroyed, during the Second World War.
03:17These days, the bridge is full of jewelry shops,
03:20but I learned it was once an area of butchers and tanners
03:24until the Medici, not liking the smell,
03:26decreed it should be dedicated to goldsmiths.
03:29Thank you so much.
03:30It was amazing.
03:31You're more than welcome.
03:32Yeah.
03:33It's time to talk about museums.
03:35So, we're here at the Uffizi,
03:37one of the most famous art museums in the world
03:40with works by Renaissance masters
03:42like Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo.
03:45And I'm going to give you a tip.
03:47Go to the official Uffizi website,
03:49book a ticket for a specific day and a specific time,
03:53then you'll be able to skip the ticket line
03:55and just go straight to the security line.
03:57But now, a visit to the Galleria dell'Accademia,
04:00home to the Statue of David,
04:02carved by Italian Renaissance artist, Michelangelo.
04:05To accommodate more visitors,
04:07the museum recently extended opening hours
04:09and spread out its vast collection,
04:11director Cecilia Holberg tells me.
04:13Buongiorno.
04:14Grazie mille.
04:15Thank you so much for having me.
04:17The 17-foot-tall David is the collection's highlight.
04:21It's the statue of David,
04:24The 17-foot-tall David is the collection's highlight.
04:28Michelangelo shows this shepherd,
04:31this young shepherd, in an incredible way.
04:34He's not aggressive, but he is strong.
04:37He is naked, showing his innocence.
04:40This symbol of Florence
04:42is one of the most famous sculptures in the world.
04:45And now I have a moment alone with him.
04:48I think I'm in love.
04:50Dinner at Trattoria Enzo e Piero,
04:54which specializes in Tuscan cuisine.
04:56Joining me are some friends who live in Florence.
04:59And in Italy, you have to look each other in the eyes
05:02when you raise a glass.
05:04Florence's most famous dish
05:06is Bistecca alla Fiorentina,
05:08loin steak served rare.
05:10The famous Bistecca Fiorentina.
05:12Definitely to be shared.
05:16Well, we really saw a lot today.
05:18Although there's so much more that Florence has to offer.
05:21I hope you're ready to have a good visit to the city.
05:24And honestly, my job here is done.
05:26So, arrivederci.