Main attractions and Florentine points of interest in the immediate vicinity of the Hotel Atlantic Palace include the Duomo, San Lorenzo Market, Bell Tower, Ponte Vecchio, Uffizi Art Gallery all of which are within easy walking distance from the hotel. Furthermore, the train station of Santa Maria Novella which is only 200 metres away is also the main air terminal for Pisa International Airport i.e. where the train and buses from Pisa Airport arrive. Plus if you take the bus from Florence City Airport i.e. Amerigo Vespucci then the bus from airport will drop you off at Santa Maria Novella bus stop just in front of the station.

Art in Florence – if you want to be revitalized by art therapy in Florence then you have come to the right place because as soon as you step out of the door you are surrounded by some of the world’s finest examples of Renaissance painting and sculpture. Ask the concierge for directions to go and see Michelangelo’s Basilica of San Lorenzo made in 1518. Pope Leo the Tenth, who was a member of the Medici family (San Lorenzo was their Parish church) gave Michelangelo the job of designing the exterior façade in pure white Carrara marble. Before constructing this masterpiece Michelangelo first of all made a life size wooden model, adjusting the scale in order to make it of “ideal proportion” i.e. like the human body when in an X shape. Leonardo Da Vinci later said that Vitruvian man is the measure of all things. Michelangelo adjusted the classical proportions of the facade, and drew them to scale after the ideal proportions of the human body, i.e. to the greater height of the nave. Michelangelo’s “New Sacristy” where the tombs of the Princes are kept is one of his most understated pieces of art, a fine combination of architectural prowess and skillful sculpting. The Church also contains works of art and contributions from other Renaissance period artists such as Donatello and Brunelleschi.

Santa Maria del Fiore

A bit further on and you will find the largest church in Florence i.e. Duomo or more formally known as Santa Maria del Fiore. The orange coloured dome is the masterpiece of Brunelleschi and is the symbol most widely associated with the city of Florence. Walk up the 414 steps to the summit of Brunelleschi’s Dome and admire first hand the extraordinary workmanship that went into it’s creation – probably the finest in all of Christendom. Exit the church and admire the Doors of Paradise, work of art by Ghiberti from 1425 to 1452 are definitely worth a look. Next we suggest a stroll through the colonnaded arcades of the Piazza Repubblicca which were used as the backdrop in the award winning Hannibal movie filmed mostly in Florence and starring Anthony Hopkins. Finally you will end up at the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Firenze and once across you can enjoy great attractions like the Giardini di Boboli, Pitti Palace and Piazzale Michelangelo high up on the hill offering a breathtaking panoramic view of Florence.

Business Accommodation in Florence: the Hotel Atlantic Palace Florence’s proximity to the business area of Florence i.e. the Trade Fair and Exhibition Centre mean it is ideal lodging for those attending a Pitti Fashion Show or Medical Congress at the nearby Palazzo dei Congressi. NB if you are attending one of these shows be sure to book well in advance as we are more than often sold out with literally thousands of visitors attending these internationally esteemed events and trade shows.