SHORE EXCURSIONS

Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance, offers so many treasures of art and architecture that its entire historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Fortunately with the highlights so centrally located, it is ideally suited to a walking tour. You'll stop at the Piazza Michelangelo for an overview of the city's tiled roofs, steeples and domes.

Visit the Accademia Gallery for an up-close introduction to Michelangelo’s famous David. The 17-foot-tall statue depicts not the king, but the youthful shepherd who slew Goliath. You’ll have a reserved time for entering to avoid the long line. Have a look at the exterior of the Cathedral (Duomo) of Santa Maria del Fiore, its elaborate Gothic façade covered in a mix of pink and green marble.

View the statues in the Piazza della Signoria on your way to the Ponte Vecchio, the medieval stone bridge that was the first bridge built across the River Arno, and has been well known for its goldsmiths and jewelers since the 16th century. Admire the exterior of the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce, burial site for the city’s larger than life citizens, including Michelangelo, Rossini, Machiavelli and Galileo. Enjoy some free time for lunch, to explore further or do some shopping.