Wondering whether the Florence Duomo climb is worth it ... we made our way back down to sit for a while in the church itself. Incredibly, we were the ONLY ONES there. In this atypically calm ...

Like a presiding spirit, the cathedral—duomo in Italian—keeps watch over the streetscapes of Florence, including this block of Via dei Servi, a few hundred yards northeast of the church.

This lesser known Italian city is often dubbed the "Florence of the South" for its stunning baroque architecture but remains free from the crowds of tourists.

You can enter the church for free and for ... scams to be wary of when walking around Florence, especially around heavily-trafficked areas, such as the Duomo. People may approach you and offer ...