Tuscany Region History

Florence is a magical place.
Don't go with any preconceptions about what you'll experience there, and really take the time to experience the art and history florence has to offer - it's enlightening.

Florence is one of the cultural capitals of the world. It is a magical place of art and history. Most of the city's lovely churches are very well documented, but one rare treasure is St Mark's Anglican Church (Via Maggio 18). Easy to overlook from the outside, it houses an ornate and hauntingly beautiful chapel. The church is part of an old Medici Palace that was once owned by Machiavelli and later renovated in the neo-renaissance style.
Concerto Classico offers classical concerts and full-length operas here, but be sure to book ahead! www.concertoclassico.info

La Residenza del Proconsolo Booking online allowed me to avail of a discount of nearly 75% on the standard room rate, for an amazing room, on the front of this 15th Century house. My window looked out on Il Duomo!

Yes, it can be noisy, as in any city centre, but once you keep the windows closed, and your air conditioning on for the hotter days, the sounds of the city should not distrub you.

Roberto and his staff were charming, friendly, informative and genuinely interested in ensuring their guests had a fabulous trip to Florence. In particular, his recommendation of places to eat were superb - and very reasonably priced in comparison to tourist eateries.

The house is located a few minutes walk from the Santa Maria Novelli train station, and all the major attractions seemed to be just around the corner!

One of the bonuses of the room, was a wonderful jacuzzi bath, to ease away the aches and pains of a day spent walking around the sights and sounds of Florence.

Breakfast is served in your room - a novel touch for anybody who is more used to staying in larger hotels. However, I found this to be a wonderful personal touch. And the coffee was divine!

All rooms are en-suite and most are non-smoking. My room not only had a jacuzzi bath, but a four poster bed, mini-bar, air-con, tv, telephone and a fireplace you could nearly stand into!

If you like your accommodation glitzy and new, and bright, this is not the place for you. However, if you want to experience a little bit of history and culture, and meet some wonderful people, then you couldn't choose a better spot.

Would not be suitable for wheelchair access.

awesome rennaisance medieval city with so much history and culture. Been there many times satying with my friend Mario and his familly

florence was amazing for me mainly because of the art. the david alone, my god! for someone into art and history, it was like a religious experience to merely be in the presence of the david. of course it was crowded, but true enthusiasts can ignore the masses in favor of being in absolute awe of genius. the museum (its been a while since 2000 so i cant remember the name) also hosted a rare collection michelangelo's other work and i believe that the exhibit is largely permanent. also dont miss the duermo or its square. 
however, dont let your awe of art turn to touristic stupidity as it did me. my group was conned out of over a hundred american dollars, not to mention millions of lyria (before the euro dontchya know) by two charming (and quite good looking) grifters offering to make hair braids and bracelets (like the ones in touristy spots in beach areas). we count ourselves lucky to not have had our throats cut, and i suppose it was an experience to remind us always be weary. we probably could have avoided the calamity had we not been a flock of gawking tourists with a ditzy and intoxicated chaperone, but there ya go.