Florence

Florence is Italy's artistic treasure trove, the still-pulsating heart of rich Renaissance Italy. Florence is a must on most travellers' lists, and budget flights to nearby Pisa make it within reach for a weekend break from the UK. Italy Heaven now features a special section on Florence tourist information.

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Florence Holiday Information

When to go to Florence. In summer, at the height of the tourist season, Florence can be heaving with tourists, as well as uncomfortably hot. But Florence is a tourist city, and its artistic attractions are indoors, so the town is really an all-year-round destination. You're unlikely to find Florence empty; but visiting away from the summer peak should make the infamous queues a little shorter.

Florence history. The city of Florence, (Firenze), is incredibly rich in art, culture and architecture. Thanks to wealthy patrons, the city was at the heart of the Renaissance, home to artists and writers such as Michaelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Machiavelli and Raphael. Politically as well as culturally, Florence was an enormous power in Europe, and the glories of its past remain to enchant modern visitors.

Florence Tourist Attractions

Florence Tourist Information Office has a branch at Stazione Centrale, which is ideal for tourists arriving in Florence by train.

Florence weekend breaks are extremely popular - while there is enough art, history and architecture to enthrall the student for weeks, most visitors will find they can only take so much museum-trekking. Florence is a city packed with an incomparable collection of art - much of the world's finest - and it's probably best appreciated in manageable doses. You can see a lot of the highlights in a long weekend; and there will still be plenty of interest left for a return trip.

Major tourist attractions include:

The cathedral, or Duomo, was begun in 1290 and added to over succeeding centuries. The huge dome, by Brunelleschi, was an architectural achievement that still impresses today. The slender Campanile next door to the Duomo was originally designed by Giotto; like the dome you can climb to the top and admire views of Florence. The Baptistry is one of the wonders of Florence, an early marble masterpiece that inspired the later artists of the Renaissance.

Probably the most famous work of art to be found in Florence is Michaelangelo's David. This statue can be seen in the Galleria dell'Accademia, and for many visitors - particularly transantlantic travellers - the carved youth is a definitive image of Italy. Florence's principal sculpture collection is in the Museo Nazionale de Bargello, which was once a prison. Nowadays you can admire works by Michaelangelo and Donatello, among others. Fra Angelico's delicate fresco of the Annunciation (c. 1445) is in the Convento di San Marco, a 13th Century convent, alongside other great works of the Renaissance. The Uffizi is a necessity for every tourist, if only to avoid the stares you'd receive on confessing you hadn't visited. Book ahead to avoid the queues, then marvel at some of the the world's finest artistic achievements.

The Ponte Vecchio (built in 1345) over the River Arno is one of the world's most famous bridges, long, graceful and lined with jewellers shops. Santa Maria Novella is a beautiful black-and-white church, containing fine religious art by masters including Botticelli and Paolo Uccello.

Florence Travel Information

Travel to Florence
Florence has its own airport, Vespucci Airport, just outside the town. A bus service runs to Santa Maria Novella Station. UK budget airlines fly to Pisa Airport. From Pisa Airport there is an hourly train service to Santa Maria Novella Station - the journey takes about an hour. Florence is well-served by Italy's decent railway network. The fastest (and most expensive) trains, Eurostars, will take you between Rome and Florence in an hour and a half. Pisa is a short train journey away.

Getting around Florence
Florence has a comprehensive bus network, which will take you to the main sights and also to the town's periphery. Santa Maria Novella Station is the hub of the network, and you can pick up a map of bus routes at the information desk at the station. Tickets are valid for specific lengths of time, from an hour upwards. Florence is also the central point for Tuscany's buses, and you can plan daytrips to surrounding towns and villages if you fancy a break from the city.

Florence Hotels

Florence's status as a tourist destination means it is well-supplied with hotels for most budgets. You're unlikely to find any real bargains - like elsewhere in Italy, you get what you pay for. But there are plenty of one and two-star hotels, and rooms to rent, for those practising economy.

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	Hotel Berchielli **** An excellent central location on the banks of the Arno, good reviews from past guests. Nice, air-conditioned building, with mini-bar and satellite tv in all rooms. Guest reviews More information / Make a booking
	Globus Hotel *** A stylish three-star hotel with great reviews from past guests. Friendly staff and a useful location compensate for the small - though fully modernised - rooms. A range of good-value prices depending on room standard. WebTV is among the room facilities offered. Guest reviews More information / Make a booking
	Pensione Bretagna ** Named after the hotel's proximity to the British Embassy, the Pensione Bretagna is a comfortable and stylish two-star option. Located in a historic palazzo, the Palazzo Gianfigliazzi, the hotel is by the bank of the Arno. Guest reviews More information / Make a booking

Florence Guidebook

Time Out Guide to Florence and Tuscany Time Out are just about the best city guides. They are excellent guides to the places, restaurants, shops and bars that are off the main tourist trail. They also provide comprehensive information on the major sights, and help you get to grips with the real, living city. Buy now from Amazon.co.uk Buy from Amazon.com (US visitors)