by Lindsay Clark

Created on: February 09, 2009   Last Updated: March 04, 2009

This pulsating city is my Mecca. My heart follows the shape of the Duomo's iconic lines. I have lived in Florence as a tourist, a student, and a resident, and though I am a penny-pinching, fun-loving backpacker for life, I have been known to show all ages and interests a good time in the art lover's capital.

Florence is too hearty a city for a one-day breeze-through; therefore, I have separated the city into regional chunks, Northern and Western for this article, The Center of the Center and Eastern in another, and finally the Oltrarno district and my one day itinerary for the third spectacular piece. Tackle one or two areas at a time, and you will find yourself to be a happy clam. Browse through the three articles and be prepared to deal with an over-whelming longing for Italy's cultural heart and my soul's hometown.

If you are an art enthusiast, drawn to beauty, enjoy the nightlife, or enthralled with history's touch on the modern world, savor the delights of my guide to the city of Florence, Italy.

Northern Florence

If you have never had your breath taken away, take a stroll through the Northern part of Florence. Obviously, the streets are gorgeous and the shops adorable, but the grandest part of Florence is, by far, what peeks through the buildings at you. It's so colossal, it's almost frightening, and the facade will stun anyone who approaches it. It cannot be said enough; the Duomo kicks ano (that's a little Italian for you). If you ask anyone, "Dove e' il Duomo," they will no doubt point you in the right direction, because even the tourists know exactly where Florence's main landmark lies.

Also titled Cattedrale Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo's dome is the biggest in the world of its kind, and the lantern on top showcases expansive views of Florence and Fiesole, the nearby Etruscan hill town. There is a snaking line for the church entrance daily, except during the Friday services, and it is also free. If you aren't too claustrophobic, I'd suggest climbing up the narrow shafts and spaces between the dome's two layers. I nearly lost my cookies, but it was well worth it to see and be near such a historical masterpiece. If you arrive first thing in the morning, avoid the long line for the dome and catch the early views, you won't mind paying the fee to climb. Architecture enthusiasts, definitely scale this beast.

A block south of the Duomo on Via dell' Oche is a little American bookstore called the Paperback Exchange, where you can buy used English novels and

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