This guide provides in-depth coverage of the major art collections and religious buildings of Florence from the treasures of the Uffizi, Duomo and Accademia to the modern masterpieces of the Pitti Palace, all illustrated with hundreds of colour pictures. For those who want to venture further afield, a selection of nearby villas and gardens worth visiting is also included, together with a round-up of the best churches, galleries and museums in Tuscany. Most reviews end with one or two suggested refreshment stops in the vicinity. In addition, authoritative background essays cover Renaissance art and architecture, a reminder that, in its 14th and 15th-century heyday, Florence was the most creative artistic centre in Europe.