Florence
	On this tour passengers will be enjoing the fascinating city of florence where art engulfs your senses and stretches your mind at every turn. The birthplace of the renaissance and artistic giants, florence has an astonishing legacy of art awaiting your discovery.
	The accademia
	Prepare for a ‘peak experience’ in art at the academy of fine arts where you will marvel at michelangelo’s david, carved from a single block of marble by the artist in his youth. As you look up at this awesome sculpture of the biblical david, the sheer magnificence of form and detail seem to emerge naturally out of the beauty of the stone.
	The cathedral of santa maria del fiore or “the duomo”
	Get ready or another peak experience at the cathedral of “santa maria del fiore”, more commonly known as the “duomo” because of its magnificent dome, the fourth largest church in the world. The cathedral was designed by “cambio” in 1296, but it was the great renaissance architect “brunelleschi” who gave it its crowning glory. His incredible dome, the first of its kind, seems to float over the cathedral with a grace that for many has never been equalled. The space to be enclosed was so huge that he had to develop an entirely new consturction process, recognised as one of the greatest engineering breakthroughs of all time. Also admire the adjacent 14th century gothic “campanile”, or bell tower, designed by “giotto”. With your head still soaring over this morning’s wonders, you will be ready to relax over a typical florentine lunch before continuing to “piazza della signoria”, the most impressive square in florence and its political center since the 14th century.
	Palazzo vecchio & santa croce
	Surrounding the square are the “palazzo vecchio”, a municipal hall begun in 1299, and the lovely 14th century gothic “loggia del lanzi”. Famous statues in the loggia and piazza include cellini’s bronze masterpiece perseus holding the head of medusa, and glambologna’s rape of the sabine women. Finally, visit “santa croce”, italy’s largest and most famous franciscan gothic church. Many important italians are entombed here, including “michelangelo”. Donatello’s famous sculpture annunciation is here, as well as brunelleschi’s second closter, considered one of the finest achievements of the early renaissance.
	After this continuous feast of artistic masterpieces, return to 20th century life and enjoy some free time to browse in the chic modern-day florence.