Italy - Tuscany - Florence

The larger, northern section of the city embraces the major part of Florence's artistic and architectural Renaissance heritage. The city is such an important art centre that it has almost too many buildings: the most significant are the white and green-marble, bronze-doored Baptistry next to the magnificent Campanile tower and the truly awesome Duomo of the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral set in the Piazza del Duomo; the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo; the Palazzo Vecchio; and the Galleria degli Uffizi, one of the finest art museums in the world. However, the crowds in July and August are just too much of a hassle, and we suggest that three or four well-planned visits could well be quite enough – even for the most intrepid.

However, out of season, it really is a delightful city to visit with really great restaurants – the two-starred Enoteca Pinchiorri on the Via Ghibellina is one of many serving Tuscan and nouvelle cuisine – grand old cafés – the historic Gilli on the Piazza della Repubblica is reckoned to be the oldest – the finest boutiques, truly amazing antique shops and really intriguing book shops.

In spite of its sophistication, culture, and bustle, Florence is still an eminently liveable city, and one can very easily walk or jog across it in under an hour: an early morning or sunset stroll across one of the Arno bridges with lovely river views leaves one with a feeling of great beauty in the heart; meandering along the quiet pedestrian walkways or across elegant piazzas captivates the spirit, and the people delight the senses.