In 2008 I decided I needed to give myself a Greek detox and visit Italy for the first time (shame on me for not doing this sooner).
I spent a week in Florence, which included three walking tours with an excellent guide, and lots of walking of my own. It's impossible to see everything, so I concentrated on the palaces, cathedrals and churches. Of the galleries though, the Uffizi is a must, and you can't visit Florence without a visit to the Galleria Dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's David - this is breathtakingly beautiful. Florence itself is a bit too busy and crowded with tourists for my liking, but its treasures are truly wonderful.
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 Florence, seen from the church of San Miniato al Monte, a very pretty church across the River Arno. Florence looks better from a distance than it does up close. |
 The Ponte Vecchio crosses the River Arno near the Uffizi Gallery. It provided a covered way for the the Medicis to walk from the Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti. |
 This a a copy of Michelangelo's David, in the Piazza della Signoria. It is much smaller than the original - don't be tricked into thinking you have seen the real thing! |
 The Duomo in Florence, with the Baptistry in the front, and the Campanile (bell tower) behind. The cathedral is very ornate outside, and very plain inside. You can climb the 463 steps to the top of the cupola, or the 414 steps to the top of the Campanile. The small museum next to the Duomo is well worth a visit. |
 Inside the Duomo. On the climb, you walk around the inside of the cupola on a narrow gallery. Not recommended if you suffer from vertigo. |
 The view from the top of the Duomo's cupola (yes I did climb the 463 steps), looking towards the Piazza Della Signora and the Palazzo Vecchio. The 360 degree views were fabulous. I'd recommend this if you are reasonably fit. |
 The Palazzo Vecchio in the Piazza della Signoria. This is Florence's Town Hall, but is also open as a museum. It's worth a visit for the grandeur of the rooms. |
 The Palazzo Pitti from the Boboli Gardens. This palace is definitely worth a visit, but leave plenty of time, as it is massive. Go on a Sunday, and have a walk in the gardens (be warned there are a lot of steps!), and there is free entry to all parts of the palace. The palace is crammed with extraordinary paintings - it is on a par with the Uffizi. If, like me, you have an interest in costume, there is an excellent costume collection too. |
 Santa Croce. Go inside to see Michelangelo and Galileo's tombs. |
 The cloisters of San Lorenzo, famous for its links with the Medicis (many are buried here). Outside the church there is a busy market specialising in leather goods - definitely worth a visit! |
 The cloisters of Santa Maria Novela, Florence's principal Dominican church. |
 You can't visit Florence without trying the local ice cream! Vivoli, which is close to Santa Croce, is said to be the best in Florence, but I enjoyed it all. |
Siena
Siena is an hour from Florence by bus (the bus station is behind the the church of Santa Maria Novella). It is beautiful and, as far as I'm concerned, is much nicer than Florence.
 The beautiful Piazzo del Campo in Siena. Once a year, they have horse racing around the square. In quieter times, sipping a drink in one of the cafes is one of life's delights. |
 The Duomo in Siena - wonderful mosaics on the floor, and works by Michelangelo and Donatello. The pulpit is by Pisano. |
Pisa
Pisa is an hour from Florence by train (the station is behind the church of Santa Maria Novella). The leaning tower is a good walk from the station, and not well sign-posted, but when you come out of the station, just keep walking ahead down the main shopping street, over the river and keep going.
 The leaning tower real does lean in a most alarming way. It is the campanile (bell tower) of the Duomo. Be prepared to pay 15 euros if you want to climb the tower. |
 The Duomo and Baptistry in Pisa. Stunning inside - especially the beautiful Pisano pulpit. |
