Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, flourished under the Medici rule, becoming a beacon of art, culture, and finance. Its rich history is reflected in its stunning architecture and world-class museums.
To get there we had previously purchased two student and two first-class Eurail passes. This distinction only mattered on this trip. As parents, we enjoyed champagne in first class while the kids had peanuts. We’d saved a mini champagne bottle for this occasion. When Matt popped the cork, it caught everyone’s attention. Our main concern was ensuring we all disembarked at the right stop, which, to Mom’s relief, we did.
Many European churches, including Florence’s Duomo, require visitors to dress modestly, particularly women. Bare arms, legs, and cleavage must be covered. The Duomo goes a step further, offering paper dresses for inadequately dressed tourists. We humorously dubbed these the “paper dresses of shame”. Fortunately, none of us required them.
Florence History
Florence, Italy, birthplace of the Renaissance, was founded by the Romans in 59 BC. It flourished under the rule of the Medici family in the 15th and 16th centuries, becoming a hub of arts, culture, and finance. Renowned artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci contributed to its glory. The city was also the capital of Italy from 1865 to 1871. Today, Florence’s rich history is reflected in its numerous museums, palaces, and architectural wonders, making it one of the world’s top tourist destinations.
Florence Cathedral Outside
Florence Cathedral Inside
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Statues
Relief
Street Art
Gellato
Rosellen and Keira bought admission to the Medici Chapel, behind the Duomo. She found it a very moving experience and more details are in her comment below. This is a sweet ending to an important chapter of our tour because tomorrow we pivot to her family history in Tocco da Casauria. To get there we would spend one night in Rome, rent a car, and drive one hour East to Tocco.
