Explore Florence By Hire Car
If you’re thinking about a holiday break Mediterranean style then why not head to Florence – Italy’s majestic renaissance city in the heart of Tuscany.
Surrounded by beautiful countryside and fabulously authentic Italian villages, it’s a great place to see by car, just check out our guide if you don’t believe us!
Built on the River Arno, Florence is located on the west coast of Italy, a place renowned for its beautiful landscapes. When you land in at the city the first thing you’ll notice is the absolutely breathtaking architecture – Florence is brimming with incredible renaissance buildings and you can expect to be swept off your feet!
Before hitting the open road and exploring Tuscany you should definitely dedicate a few days to seeing the sights of Florence. Wander through the Piazza Della Signoria and soak up the buzz and bustle of Florence’s busiest square, then stroll through the arches of the Uffizi Museum towards the banks of the River Arno. Here you’ll be treated to a breathtaking view of the Ponte Vecchio, one of the oldest bridges in the city.
As you’ll have gathered by now, Florence is famous for its renaissance architecture and a wander towards the Piazza Della Santissima Annunziata will reveal the beautiful and extraordinary symmetrical style of this movement. Here you’ll find Brunelleschi’s Ospedale degli Innocenti and Michelangelo’s Church of the Santissima Annunziata, two of the city’s most breathtaking monuments.
There’s also plenty of park areas for you to wander through if you fancy a slice of greenery in between the urban hustle and bustle. A wander through the Boboli Gardens will give you superb views of the city, and there is also a collection of sculptures dating from the 16th through to the 18th centuries housed here (just behind Pitti Palace).
The Parco delle Cascine is a popular spot with the locals, and you’ll see many a Florentine family relaxing in the shade of the trees. Elsewhere you’ll find the Giardino Delle Rose, a magnificent park situated on the slopes of the hill below Piazzale Michelangelo. Boasting a vast array of roses, it has views over the river Arno and the rest of the city.
The local nightlife is quite good too, there are plenty of elegant places where you can enjoy a cool beer or a nice glass of Chianti (the local wine). Have a wander through the city centre streets and check out the entertainment for yourself. There are also plenty of international restaurants, along with a range of Italian places where you can tuck into the finest Tuscan cuisine.
Once you’ve sampled the Florentine sights and delights then it’s time to hit the roads of Tuscany and take in the surrounding landscapes. Lucca is a small but elegant town enveloped by its original city walls. Scenically located between the coastal and mountain landscape, this charming city gives a unique take on Tuscan life.
A trip north to Siena will see you savour the sights of an age old Medieval city and it’s winding, hilly streets. Be sure to taste the local coffee – Siena is famous for its brew, while the local speciality, Panforte, is a unique delicacy and definitely worth a try!
Of course holiday in Tuscany is complete without a trip to see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The town of Pisa itself is just a short drive away so be sure to check it out.
Elsewhere, fans of Chianti and wine in general should definitely head to the city of the same name, where they can see how the region’s famous Bacchus juice is produced. Wander the vineyards filled with olive trees, take in the beautiful Romanesque churches, villas and castle, or just relax with a glass of wine in the sun.
Other towns worth checking out include Montepulciano, Pienza, and San Gimignano – each of these Medieval settlements are largely untouched by tourism and give a fine insight into Tuscan rural life.
That’s just some of the things you can check out in and around Florence and Tuscany with a car at hand, but why not check it out for yourself? Half of Tuscany’s beauty lies off the beaten track, so don’t be afraid to follow your instinct. If you’ve any problems with the local language then check out our guide to the Italian vocabulary of the road, and be sure to have a look at our sister site www.placestostay.com if you need good, well priced accommodation.
Enjoy the holiday… and give us a shout in the comment box below if you have any questions, suggestions or things to say!