Google maps is really cool. Here is an example of what you can see. That is Piazza Santa Croce in the middle of the image (the light colored rectangle) - we will be staying on the south side. You can see the white marble of the top of the facade of the church to the right of the piazza. If you go to Google maps, click on the link that says "Satellite" on the right hand side, then put "Florence, Italy" in the search box.