Phenomenal Florence (21 nights plus day trips)

Florence, a city of 370,000, is the place to be if you are a student of the Renaissance. There are churches, museums, frescos and monuments on every corner. The entire old section of the city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Even for those with limited knowledge of the era (like us!), it is hard not to be impressed. Where else can you actually see famous sculptures like Michelangelo's 14ft David?


But it can be overwhelming as well. On average, 20,000 tourists come to Florence every day! Apparently, we are here during the fringe season, and the line-ups are still significant. I could not imagine what it would be like at other times. People line up to enter museums and churches, tour guides lead their little groups from one monument to another, and there is something to buy at every turn. But we have had a wonderful place to stay - an apartment that is only a 10 minute walk to the Duomo (the main cathedral in the centre of the old city). And we a wonderful market, wine shop and bakery nearby. So we have been able to walk everywhere, and do most of our own cooking.

Ponte Veccehio, Florence

Duomo, Florence

With Florence as our base, we took a few side trips into the countryside, and visited Pisa, Siena, as well as the Chianti wine country.

Lance leaning with the leaning tower

Karen at the main square, Siena