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Florence map and area information
Once the capital of Italy and indeed the centre of the world’s Renaissance movement, the ancient city of Florence, in central Tuscany, enjoys a rich history in arts and science, with masters such as Michelangelo, Da Vinci and Dante.
Greatly influenced by the powerful Medici family in the 15th and 16th centuries, Florence became a pioneering city for medicine, for Renaissance art and for gold and leather work. Many workshops and artisan craft stores along the Ponte Vecchio bridge are literally hundreds of years old.
 With one of the highest concentrations of art, cathedrals and museums in the world, Florence and its centro storico are hugely popular for culture. Visitors come for the stunning frescoes in its many cathedrals, Michelangelo’s David or the palazzi spreading out from the central Duomo cathedral.
With a dizzying array of Roman, medieval and Renaissance artefacts to be found around Florence’s winding streets and nestled in its hills, this is an amazing city for views and exploring or for simply relaxing with a caffe or Italian gelato.
A Mediterranean climate means that Florence and its surrounding Tuscan hills, thanks to hot summer days and cooler winters, has developed a great wine reputation in its world-renowned Chianti vineyards, along with some fine culinary specialities from the Tuscany region.
Although pasta dishes are certain in any Italian city, Florence is more famed for its breads, such as Schiacciata or Crostini, Florentine pizzas and also meats such as T-bone steak and tripe.
 Florence has a sweet dessert wine, Grappa and of course some of the best Italian ice cream, including its own speciality; Buontalenti.
Invented for the Medici’s, this Florentine gelato blends rum, honey and buttermilk and must be tried on your visit.
Loved for its history and admired for its continuing traditions in fashion and fine quality, Florence is a great destination city for culture, shopping, sampling the produce, with plenty of leisure spots when you want to relax and unwind.
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Florence; Art and architecture
The best start in Florence is at the Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo cathedral, for its breathtaking domed frescoes and excellent views from the heart of the city centre.
Other valuable viewpoints include the Ponte Vecchio bridge, for the Tuscan hills behind the city, or Piazzale Michelangelo, which looks over the river Arno and the Florentine rooftops.
Of all the museums in Florence, check out the “big three”; the Uffizi gallery, the Galleria dell’Accademia for Michelangelo’s David and the Bargello, with works by Brunelleschi.
Some of Florence’s must-sees are its palaces and squares.
The Piazza della Repubblica leads to the fabulous 16th century Pitti palace, or visit the Piazza della Signoria for its famous Fountain of Neptune.
The 15th century Palazzo Medici is a perfect example of Florence’s golden era for art and architectural thinking.
Florence keeps up in modern art and design, with festivals such as the Biennale Internazionale d’Arte Contemporanea di Firenze and also through its reputation in the fashion industry. Pitti Immagine is an international affair, hosting many leading Italian fashion designers.
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Florence for shopping
Thanks to its long-established skills in leather crafts, Florence has produced some of the best bag and shoemakers. It is home to leading fashion designers such as Cavalli, Gucci and of course Salvatore Ferragamo; whose famous footwear collections can be seen in Florence’s own Ferragamo museum.
Shopping in Florence, is therefore generally of a luxury standard throughout the city, with its top boutiques on streets around Santa Maria Novella, on Vigna Nuova and Tornabuoni.
Although the city centre is peppered with fine art dealers, Ponte Vecchio bridge is still a favourite for traditional Florentine arts and crafts, set against a beautiful backdrop.
Alternatively, head across the river into the Oltrarno district for markets every morning and a fleamarket on Sundays, around Piazza Santo Spirito and Piazza del Carmine.
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Florence nightlife
Florence, as with all of Italy, has an excellent food culture and benefits from its acclaimed fresh local produce and wines.
An evening in Florence is therefore best spent in one of the city’s piazzas or finding a family-run trattoria on a tranquil side street, to eat, drink and relax in good company.
For the liveliest social scenes, the Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza del Carmine and Piazza Santo Spirito entertain crowds every evening with a vast array of restaurants, wine bars, gelaterias and trendy cocktail lounges, to cater for all tastes.
Check out our selected apartments, to find the perfect base for your trip to Florence.
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Florence Apartments
Toscane Italy
Santa Maria Novella
Duomo
San Marco
Santa Croce
Oltrarno
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