Where to go on a city break in Italy
If you’re hoping to take a continental city break but aren’t quite sure where to go consider heading to Italy. The country is full of amazing places that offer lots of fantastic things to see and do, so you’re sure to have a wonderful time. To give you a helping hand on which city to choose, we’ve put together a bit of information about three of Italy’s most popular destinations.
Florence
While Italy as a whole is renowned for its world-class culture, Florence is an especially great place for art lovers to visit. Indeed, the capital of the country’s Tuscan region is widely viewed as being at the forefront of the Renaissance-era, with a wealth of sculptures, buildings, paintings and other artefacts from this period to be found throughout the city.
Perhaps the best way to experience Florence’s astounding cultural heritage is to visit the Galleria degli Uffizi. Established in the 14th century, this institution is commonly regarded as one of the world’s greatest museums and displays paintings from iconic Italian artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.
The museum also hosts an extensive collection of pieces by Flemish, Dutch and German painters, including works by Ruben and Rembrandt, so there should be plenty to catch your interest. One of the most fascinating parts of the Uffizi is the Vasari Corridor. Designed by architect Giorgio Vasari, this walkway was originally constructed to allow the local aristocracy to travel easily between two palaces and is lined with works of art by Guido Reni, Artemisia Gentileshi and others.
Situated nearby is the stunning Piazza del Duomo, a public square that is home to some of Florence’s most iconic buildings. Among these is San Giovanni (St John’s Baptistry), which is a magnificent example of Florentine-Romanesque design, and the Campanile bell tower which features elements of Gothic design.
Venice
If you’re hoping to take a romantic break with your partner why not head to Venice. The city is famous for its myriad of canals and islands, with exploring the waterways on your own private gondola certain to make for a holiday you will never forget.
Cruising along in your boat also provides you with a grand opportunity to soak up Venice’s astounding skyline and diverse architecture while in the company of your loved one. Among the sights that you get to take in are the Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Square, while the Ca’ Rezzonico is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful buildings of the Renaissance era.
Once you’ve finished touring the city by boat, stop off for a bite to eat at a restaurant or a bacaro bar. As you might expect given the city’s coastal location in the Venetian Lagoon, fish and seafood are major staples of the local diet, with polenta and rice also popular.
Click here to find out more about booking a flight to Venice and you can soon start planning your romantic holiday in earnest!
Rome
Last, but certainly not least, Rome is a charming destination for a break in Italy. As it’s the country’s capital and largest city it’s somewhere that will appeal to holidaymakers of all ages and interests.
However, it’s perhaps best suited for history lovers, not least of all because it was the birthplace of the Roman empire. Among the iconic monuments that you can see from this period of history are the Colosseum and the nearby Arch of Constantine which was constructed to mark Constantine I’s victory at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312.
It is also recommended that you visit the Church of Santa Maria, which is famous for its Romanesque belltower, and the Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo. In the latter you’ll have the opportunity to take in works of art by the likes of Raphael and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, so you can be sure of getting a great culture fix.
Hopefully, we’ve given you some inspiration about where to go on a city break to Italy but why not tell us where you’d like to visit by leaving a comment below? We’d love to hear from you!
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