Wareontheglobe’s Guide To Visiting The Duomo Complex, Florence!

The Duomo Complex is home to one of Florence’s star attractions – its massive cathedral , the Duomo, and its surrounding buildings!  Also called the Duomo (duomo means cathedral in Italian), the Duomo Complex includes the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, the Baptistery, the Campanile, the Dome, a crypt, and a museum!  

Every visitor to Florence, whether religious or not, should spend some time at the Duomo. However, planning a trip to the Duomo Complex can be a bit daunting, especially on a first trip to Europe or when traveling with a large group! So, here’s my suggestions on visiting the Duomo!

084

The Duomo Complex, in black and white.

LOGISTICS

The Duomo is located right in the heart of Florence and is home to six attractions – (1) The Duomo; (2) The Baptistery; (3) the Bell Tower; (4) the Museum; (5) the Dome; and (6) the Crypt.  I recommend seeing each attraction but if you are short on time, I would prioritize the Baptistery, the exterior of the complex, and the Bell Tower, in that order!

099

Ceiling of the Baptistery

Continue reading

A Winter Visit To Tuscan Wine Country.

As you may know from reading my previous posts, I visited Italy, specifically Tuscany, Venice, and Milan, over Thanksgiving last year.  In planning my trip, I went back and forth in trying to decide whether to do a wine tour in Tuscany.  On the one hand, we really love wine and we have never done a proper Italian wine tour.  On the other hand, the vineyards would be bare and the wine production would really be at a standstill.  I finally decided not to stay in wine country, but I did go on a “Winter Wine Tour” with Grape Tours out of Florence.  Grape Tours was one of the only companies (if not the only company) offering wine tours in late November (and throughout the Winter) and I’m not sure why, as our tour certainly booked up!

3dbd6f72-fbe8-42e3-8e02-ae4f234749f0

Tuscany wine country in the Fall.

Continue reading