What is special about Florence?

Question

My husband and I are going to Italy in late March and have planned to spend 1/2 our trip in Rome and 1/2 in Florence. I'm getting so excited I can barely stand it! :) To me Rome looks FANTASTIC! The history, the art, the food, the culture....I talked to a lot of people who all said that Florence was a high point of their trip as well. This is why we decided to spend 1/2 of our trip there. But (especially since we are going in early spring and Tuscany will not be at it's best), I guess I don't know what is special about Florence in comparison to Rome. Who has been there? What did you love about it?

Answer 1

The Renaissance art is what makes Florence so special!

Answer 2

Florence is a city which bustles with industry and craft, commerce and culture, art and science, it is easily accessible from most important places both in Italy and abroad.

  

Its streets could almost beguile you into thinking you've walked into a former age, because he has not changed greatly since the 16th century.

More:

http://www.tuscanweb.com/news/?ID=51

Answer 3

I've been to Florence a few times (and Rome too), and have always enjoyed returning there. Florence is the birthplace and capital of Renaissance, - the city is an open sky museum. The centre of Florence is relatively small, so you can visit all the city's historical sites walking. One the other hand, the fact that the city is small means the streets are usually very crowded. Some of the great buildings in Florence include the Duomo (with the 3rd biggest dome in the world, and the biggest at the time it was constructed), the Uffizzi (the first public museum in the world, and where many masterpieces can be found), the Ponte Vecchio (a charming small bridge over the Arno with jewelry shops flanking it), and many others.

The city is a treasure, and you will be glad for choosing to visit it.

Answer 4

Rome is absolutely awesome and full with history but Florence has nothing less.Further point is that Florence is not that so big town and you can easily visit it just by walking;  in this way you have more opportunities to hear centuries of history whispered by its ancient buildings still standing in its medieval looking streets....You'll fall in love with it,same as it has already happened to millions of foreign visitors.Last but not least the Tuscany cooking you'll find in Florence is much more renowned as the one in Rome.

If you've time read my previous answers and my suggestions on what you've to do with the restaurants in Florence (but let's say everywhere in Italy) to eat the best without spending a fortune.

Just as an appetizer here below a few websites about Florence.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence

http://www.aboutflorence.com/

http://english.firenze.net/

http://www.florence.ala.it/

I wish that's enough.....!!