Journalist Michelle Locke's trip to Florence in Italy led her to see some of Europe's finest art, great architecture and even to its famed wine countryside. Here are the top highlights of her Florentine journey that will give you a glimpse of the beautiful city. (Photo: AP)
Visitors to the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy, pause to admire and take photos of Michelangelo's David. The 17-foot-high marble statue is a Renaissance masterpiece and a must-see in Florence.
Tourists peek through a doorway at the Tribuna of the Uffizi, a domed octagonal room displaying paintings and statues in Florence, Italy.
Behold the statue of Hercules and the centaur Nessus with the ornate ceiling of the Uffizi Gallery in the background in Florence, Itlay. The Uffizi Gallery is a Florence staple with a building that is as interesting as its contents.
Take in the breathtaking view of the Ponte Vecchio from the banks of the River Arno in Florence, Italy. The bridge is home to several jewelry and souvenir shops and is an instantly recognizable landmark of Florence.
Locke highly recommends enjoying a glass of wine on the terrace of the Romitorio di Serelle, a property in the wine country surrounding Florence, Italy, where you can rent apartments or stop for lunch.
This is the Santa Maria Novella pharmacy in Florence, Italy. At times an apothecary and herbalist shop, it is one of the oldest pharmacies in the world, tracing its roots back to 1221.
Here's the old city of Florence, Italy, flanking the River Arno as viewed from the Piazzale Michelangelo. The piazzale, a square in the hills above the city, is a great place to take in the views, especially at sunset.