Tuscany Umbria Vacation

History, art and culture: Florence.

One of the finest artistic cities, its architecture retraces centuries of history beginning with its Roman foundation in 59BC, through the wars between Guelfs and Ghibellines in the 13th century, the rule of the Medici family, the unification of Italy of which it became capital, up to the present day.

The centre of Florence, with its squares, palaces, arches, churches, towers, bridges, gardens, monumental cemeteries, villas, Medici villas, walls and gateways, has been granted World Heritage status by UNESCO.

The Florence area, beyond the city and its commercial suburbs, includes fascinating rural landscapes and mediaeval villages, which offer excellent olive oil and wines, as in the famous Chianti zones.

All of the municipalities of the province of Florence are included in this area: Bagno a Ripoli, Barberino di Mugello, Barberino Val d'Elsa, Borgo San Lorenzo, Calenzano, Campi Bisenzio, Capraia e Limite, Castelfiorentino, Cerreto Guidi, Certaldo, Dicomano, Empoli, Fiesole, Figline Valdarno, Florence, Firenzuola, Fucecchio, Gambassi Terme, Greve in Chianti, Impruneta, Incisa Valdarno, Lastra a Signa, Londa, Marradi, Montaione, Montelupo Fiorentino, Montespertoli, Palazzuolo sul Senio, Pelago, Pontassieve, Reggello, Rignano sull'Arno, Rufina, San Casciano Val di Pesa, San Godenzo, San Piero a Sieve, Scandicci, Scarperia, Sesto Fiorentino, Signa, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, Vaglia, Vicchio, Vinci.