The Uffizi Gallery in Florence is home to one of the most impressive art collections in the world. The Uffizi gallery is also a museum, renowned for being the oldest in the world. Anyone traveling to Florence is going to want to see the Uffizi Gallery, and most travel agents will say that a trip to the Uffizi is included as a part of any Florence vacation. If your intention is to see the Uffizi, whether on a trip by yourself or with a tour group, it is very important to remember that without purchasing a pre-booked ticket you might not get in to see the gallery at all. Even if it is part of a tour package.
In April of 2005 my wife and I took a trip to Florence. We had of course planned on visiting the Uffizi Gallery and upon getting there we immediately tried to purchase tickets. Our calls were unfortunately not answered. Hotel reception had no better luck, and they informed us that our three day stay might not be long enough to even get our call answered. We went there in person but were confronted with long lines that did not seem to ever move. So we were forced to see what other attractions Florence had to offer us.
The hotel staff let us know the following evening that they had finally been able to get through on the booking line, but unfortunately they were informed that all of the tickets for the following day were sold out. As a result, we missed out on seeing Florence?s greatest art treasures. Our tip for anyone visiting Florence on a short vacation is to book tickets for the Uffizi Gallery online, and well before their trip.
The Duomo It?s impossible to miss Florence?s Duomo, as this magnificent building dominates the city?s skyline and can be seen from almost anywhere. Built by Fillipo Brunelleschi nearly six hundred years ago, the Duomo was the largest cathedral in the world when it was built, and today is still the fourth largest. The most notable feature of the Duomo is its dome, or ?cupola.? Nobody believed that Brunelleschi could engineer this feature, but he was able to achieve it by studying the dome of Rome?s ancient Parthenon. You can savor the views of the Duomo from one of the city?s many cafes, and get a different perspective from one of the hills around the city.
As impressive as it is from the outside though, it has to be seen from the inside to be truly appreciated. You can climb it by means of the stairway inside the dome, between its inner and outer shells. From the top, the view of the Tuscan countryside is absolutely magnificent! Unfortunately the gallery was never finished, so you will have access only to looking towards the north and the west.
The Palazzo Vecchio is another Florence landmark that should not be overlooked during any trip to the city. It is well worth walking all around the building to see it from the outside before going in. A copy of Michelangelo's David stands now right where the original statue once stood, before it was removed elsewhere for its own safety.
The historic bridge over the river Arno is something that should also be seen. The crowds will be large, but will thin out before crossing to the other side, and dealing with them is worth the hassle. The Boboli Gardens and the Palazzo Pitti, which you will find nearby, should not be missed. For best effect the Arno should be crossed from the Ponte Vecchio.
Avoiding "Stendhal Syndrome" Every year, some tourists succumb to a condition known as ?Stendhal Syndrome.? Named after a nineteenth century tourist, it?s symptoms range from feeling faint to complete exhaustion. Tourists with this affliction are, like Stendhal before them, overcome by taking in the sights and beauty of Florence.
I was in Florence a short vacation trip last technique is to not try to pack too much in. Even the rich art treasures of Florence, the United States, architectural achievements do not actually give you to run the medical help, they can easily overwhelm tourist who does not listen to this a proposal.
Author Resource:
Graham McKenzie is the content coordinator for the leading UK Flight Comparison ... Information website, which offers detailed information on Booking a Flight .
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