The Heart of the Renaissance

Early in the morning, I took a train from Rimini to Florence, with a half-hour layover in Bologna where I could explore the area around the station. The private trains in Italy are quite fast, maintaining a speed of around 300 km/h.😀😀😀 Arriving in Florence at noon, my first stop was the Accademia Gallery, primarily to see the David statue, which was much larger than I had imagined. Additionally, there’s a small supermarket opposite the entrance where you can store your bags for free, but it closes at 7 p.m.😻😻😻 Next, I headed to the Central Market for a classic Florentine tripe sandwich—seeing the Chinese characters on the sign confirmed I was in the right place! (Note: Cash only.) Then, I visited the Florence Cathedral (Santa Maria del Fiore). There’s no need to buy a ticket if you’re not climbing the dome, and I managed to get in after just a few minutes of queuing at noon.😁😁😁 After that, I strolled to Piazza della Repubblica, where I enjoyed a delicious cream puff from Gilli. From there, I made my way to Piazza della Signoria, known as an open-air sculpture museum with many iconic statues.❤️❤️❤️ I then visited the Basilica di Santa Croce, which requires a ticket. It’s the final resting place of Michelangelo and Galileo. Next up was the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world’s most authoritative museums with the largest collection of Renaissance art. Plan to spend at least two to three hours here. I also walked across the Ponte Vecchio, Florence’s oldest bridge, lined with shops selling gold and silver jewelry. Afterward, I visited the Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens, a vast complex worth exploring if you have the time. Finally, I headed to Piazzale Michelangelo, a great spot to watch the sunset. Further up the hill, there are two smaller churches that are less crowded and perfect for photos. During the off-season, you can visit all these places without pre-booking tickets. If you have ample time, you can stay in Florence for a few days to fully explore all the mentioned sites. Even if you only have one day, you can follow this route for a city walk.🗽🗽🗽 After dinner in Florence, you can take a one-hour train to Pisa. !! For visiting the Leaning Tower, buy a ticket to Pisa San Rossore, and for staying in the city center, get a ticket to Pisa Centrale. Flixbus’s pick-up point is far from the city center but closer to the Leaning Tower. If you’re planning to take an early bus to Rome, it’s advisable to stay near the Leaning Tower. #UKStudent #ItalyTravel #Florence #Pisa #PisaLeaningTower #Firenze