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BLUE H OPEN
Hotel Casci
Hotel Casci is a small family run hotel centrally located Via Cavour, 13 50123 Firenze, Italy Tel. +39 055.211686 Fax +39 055.2396461 in the heart of the historical center of Florence 
Duomo - Cattedrale di S. Maria Del Fiore
In Italy, "duomo" is a word for a cathedral. In Florence, Piazza Del Duomo, 9 50122 Firenze (FI), Italy the Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) is a work of art and one of the city´s main attractions. The Duomo is topped by a large dome that represented a major engineering breakthrough when it was designed by Renaissance architect Brunelleschi in 1420. It´s still impressive today. The exterior of the church itself is also breath-taking, with intricate patterns formed using pink and green limestone. Climb to the top of the dome for one of the best views of the city, and then reward yourself with some rich, creamy Italian gelato afterwards. 
Battistero di San Giovanni
The Baptistery is an octagonal building decorated byPiazza Del Duomo, 1 50122 Firenze (FI), Italy a stunning set of bronze doors. The north and the east doors were designed by master Renaissance sculptor Lorenzo Ghiberti. When Michelangelo saw them, he declared them "worthy to serve as the Gates of Paradise," and that name has stuck ever since. 
Campanile di Giotto
Giotto was a revolutionary artist who Piazza Del Duomo, 9 50122 Firenze (FI), Italyl helped move Italian art from the flat, two-dimensional Gothic style to the realistic, three-dimensional style of the Renaissance. He was also an architect, and he designed the bell tower for the cathedral. Climb the steps for another great view of Florence, this one including Brunelleschi´s dome. 
Galleria degli Uffizzi
When it was built, the Uffizi was the Piazzale degli Uffizi 50122 Firenze (FI), Italy headquarters of the grand duke Cosimo de Medici. Today, it houses one of the world’s most stunning collections of Renaissance art anywhere. Inside, you will find elegant paintings by Botticelli, dreamy scenes from Titian, stark, dramatic paintings by Caravaggio, and much, much more. 
Palazzo del Bargello
What the Uffizi is to painting, the Bargello is Via del Proconsolo, 4 50122 Firenze (FI), Italy to Renaissance sculpture. This former prison now houses masterpieces by Michelangelo, Donatello and others. Take note of Donatello "David, a slim youth that represents a striking contrast to Michelangelo" famous sculpture of the same subject. 
Palazzo Vecchio
Florence´s city-hall has been standing since the 1300´s,50122 Firenze (FI), Italy and its fortified, castle-like architecture is definitely worth seeing. Inside, you can see the room where the 500 members of the Great Council met to govern Florence after Savonarola, Florence´s own mad monk, had the Medici exiled between 1494 and 1498 
Piazza della Signoria
the starting-point of origin of the Florentine Republic is an Piazza della Signoria, 1 50122 Firenze (FI), Italy "en plain air" museum hosting Palazzo Vecchio, a copy of the David of Michelangelo, the statue of Neptune and the "Loggia dei Lanzi" with the famous bronze Perseus, by Cellini. You can also trace the exact stone where Savonarola, Florence´s own mad monk, was burned at the stake in 1498. 
Palazzo Pitti
This was built in order to be the Medici´s royal palace,
Via Piazza de´ Pitti, 1 50125 Firenze, Italia to rival with other similar palaces like Paris´ Versailles and Vienna´s Schönbrunn. Inside, you can marvel at more Renaissance artwork, including work by Titian and Raphael, and get a taste of what it would have been like to be a Medici in Renaissance Florence. The Museo degli Argenti has a display of items once owned by the Medici, and the Galleria del Costume is dedicated to the history of fashion. 
Galleria dell'Accedemia
This is the home of the David by Michelangelo, the Galleria dell'accademia 50122 Firenze (FI), Italy world´s most famous statue. A collection of his unfinished sculptures, called Slaves, provides an interesting window into his creative process. Michelangelo often said that the figures he sculpted were already present inside the marble - all he had to do was to free them. Centuries after his death, the unfinished figures still seem to be waiting for him to come back and bring them alive. 
Museo di San Marco
This museum was once a Dominican convent. Piazza di San Marco, 1 50121 Firenze (FI), Italy Here, you can see many frescoes by the Dominican monk and painter Fra Angelico, who decorated his brothers´ cells with his pious, sweet religious paintings. Fra Angelico´s masterpiece, the Annunciation, is also on display here. 
Chiesa Santa Maria Novella
This church is located not far from the main railway Piazza Santa Maria Novella 50123 Firenze (FI), Italy station, which is in fact named after the church. It houses another small collection of Renaissance masterpieces, including Masaccio´s Trinity, an example of the one-point perspective that had just been developed to show depth in a painting. There are also frescoes by Ghirlandaio and a lovely wooden cross by Brunelleschi. Don´t forget to pay a visit also to the ancient Pharmacy, just around the corner. 
Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge)
There´s an old local legend: if you want to make your
Ponte Vecchio, 1 50125 Firenze (FI), Italy love eternal, you have to chain a padlock to Ponte Vecchio, and then throw the key into the Arno river. This Old Bridge of Roman origin is the most romantic location you can find in Florence. 
Santa Croce
A short jaunt east of the Duomo takes you to Santa Croce,
Piazza di Santa Croce, 16 50122 Firenze (FI), Italy the pantheon of the Italian Renaissance artists. Here, you can pay your homage to the tomb of Michelangelo. Galileo Galilei was buried here a century after he died, when Church officials started to get a little bit less dogmatic about that whole "sun revolving around the earth" idea. Machiavelli is buried here, and so is Lorenzo Ghiberti. In the church itself you can see two famous frescoes by Giotto and an Annunciation by Donatello. 
Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge)
Diamonds are a girl´s best friend, right? Whether you´re shopping
Ponte Vecchio, 1 50125 Firenze (FI), Italy for yourself or for someone special, the Ponte Vecchio is your Florentine source for fine jewelry. Even if you can´t afford to buy, you can always window-shop. 
Mercato Centrale
This is the place to go for groceries and food, where you can
Piazza del Mercato Centrale 50123 Firenze (FI), Italy watch Italian housewives buying vegetables, meats, salami, cheese, fresh made pasta, etc. Between a church and a museum, why don´t you enjoy some fine panini sandwiches along with a glass of Chianti wine ? 
Mercato San Lorenzo
Located next to the church, this is a great place to find bargains onPiazza del Mercato Centrale 50123 Firenze (FI), Italy clothing and leather goods. Here, you can almost always get the vendors to come down from the original price, often by a great deal. 
Mercato Nuovo
Nothing says "I went on a vacation" like a cheesy trinket"Piazza di Mercato Nuovo 50123 Firenze (FI), Italy and you"ll find these in abundance at the Mercato Nuovo. Whether you want a memento for yourself or an inexpensive gift for a friend, the Mercato Nuovo is a good place to start. 
Via Tornabuoni
If you´re looking for something a little more upscale,
Via Tornabuoni 50123 Firenze (FI), Italy Via Tornabuoni is the place for you. Here, you´ll find shops by such big names as Gucci, Ferragamo, Pucci and Prada. 
Via della Vigna Nuova
Dolce e Gabbana, La Perla, Lacoste and Ermenegildo Zegna.
Via della Vigna Nuova 50123 Firenze (FI), Italy Mont Blanc is nearby, as is Swarovski, Versus Versace, and dozens of smaller designers who may be tomorrow´s Versaces. 
Via degli Strozzi
On the other side of Via Tornabuoni, Via della Vigna Nuova Via degli Strozzi 50123 Firenze (FI), Italy suddenly becomes the Via degli Strozzi, where you´ll find the Emporio Armani and many other upscale stores. 
Via Maggio
If you´re interested in antiques, Via Maggio is the place to be.
Via Maggio 50125 Firenze (FI), Italy Studded with antique dealers, this is a great place to look for ancient treasures, some dating back to the 16th century! 
Antica Officina di Santa maria Novella
Step back in time in one of the world´s oldest pharmacies.
Via della Scala, 16 50123 Firenze (FI), Italy Here, you´ll find the same perfume formulas used by the Medici women, as well as liqueurs and cordials made by Dominican monks using recipes and techniques that have been passed down for centuries. 
Santa Croce district
For your leather shopping – here you will find the best leather goods,
Piazza Santa Croce 50122 Firenze (FI), Italy all hand made and decorated – both quality and prices are higher than in San Lorenzo market, but the shopping is much more rewarding. 
Antico Setificio Fiorentino
An 18th century silk factory where you can literallyVia Bartolini Lorenzo, 2 50124 Firenze (FI), Italy step back in time – you can visit both the factory (and hear the hum of the shuttles) and the showroom laden with fabric and ribbons. 
Enoteca Pinchiorri
Florence´s most famous restaurant, with three Michelin
Via Ghibellina, 87 50122 Firenze (FI), Italy stars, at the heart of the historic city center. Don´t miss Pinchiorri´s collection of magnificent wines. (expensive) 
Cibréo
This upscale restaurant is a worthwhile luxury, but be aware that it´s
via a. del verrocchio, 8r 50122 Firenze (FI), Italy both popular and pricey. (moderate to expensive) 
Trattoria ZÁ -ZÁ
Located behind the Piazza del Mercato Centrale, this elegant
Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 26 50123 Firenze (FI), Italy trattoria makes an excellent omelette with truffle sauce, among other good things. (budget) 
Osteria Belle Donne
A good choice to eat well without emptying your pockets,
Via delle Belle Donne, 16-red 50123 Firenze (FI), Italy Osteria delle Belle Donne serves fresh, traditional delicacies at reasonable prices. Located near Via Tornabuoni, it´s a perfect place to take a break from shopping 
Antico Noe
This is a small one-room establishment that specializes
Volta Di S. Piero, 6/R 50100 Firenze (FI), Italy in local, seasonal ingredients like artichokes and truffles. 
Ristorante i Latini
the owners of this traditional and boisterous trattoria claim that Via dei Palchetti, 6 50123 Firenze (FI), Italy they grow their own wine, oil and other produce - the food never disappoints. (budget) 
Ristorante La Giostra
Located near Santa Croce and run by a retired prince,
Borgo Pinti, 10 50121 Firenze (FI), Italy La Giostra is known for excellent pasta dishes. 
Il Cantinone
Rub shoulders (literally) with the other guests at Via S. Spirito, 6/R 50125 Firenze (FI), Italy long wooden tables. The food is excellent, prices are reasonable, and you get a different wine with each course. 
I Fratellini
The best place to stop for a quick lunch of wine Via dei Cimatori, 38-red 50122 Firenze (FI), Italy and a sandwich near the Duomo. 
Acqua al 2
A wonderful occasion to taste strips of beef Via della Vigna Vecchia 50122 Firenze (FI), Italy served with a choice of dipping sauces, and selections of salads, pasta, cheeses and excellent wines. (budget to moderate) 
Le Fonticine
this family run restaurant serves the highest quality meats
Via Nazionale, 79/R 50123 Firenze (FI), Italy providing a more refined twist to the solid Tuscany dishes (Florentine steak, ossobuco, trippa, wild-boar). Also the pasta is home made and delicious, whilst the desserts are not to be missed. (moderate) 
Antico Ristorante Paoli
serves traditional and classy local cuisine to loads of cheerful
Via dei Tavolini, 12-red 50122 Firenze (FI), Italy eaters served under a richly decorated frescoed Gothis vault. Salads are dramatically cut and mixed from a trolley right at your table. (moderate) 
Il Trebbio
A good choice to eat well without emptying your pockets,Via delle Belle Donne, 47 50123 Firenze (FI), Italy Il Trebbio, serves fresh, traditional delicacies at reasonable prices. Located on a small little square near Via Tornabuoni, it’s a perfect place to take a break from shopping. (budget) 
Osteria dell´Agnolo
An unpretentious but tasty and friendly pizza and Borgo San Lorenzo, 24 50129 Firenze (FI), Italy pasta nd the corner from the hote.l The impressive selections of appetizers is very tempting, too. |
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