The birthplace of the Renaissance: Brunelleschi’s Dome, Giotto’s Campanile, Ghiberti’s doors, Michelangelo’s David and the Uffizi Gallery with its works by Botticelli and a host of other magnificent artists.

The Piazza del Duomo and the Piazza della Signoria are two of the great squares of Italy and the Ponte Vecchio is arguably the most memorable bridge in the world. The city is a photographer’s dream and the views – from the Giardino di Boboli, Piazzale Michelangelo and Fiesole – are simply magnificent.

Although the modern city has 400,000 inhabitants and has grown to incorporate a wider area of 7 mls by 5 mls, the centre of Florence - steeped in history and rich in artistic and architectural treasures - is like a living museum, so well preserved are the buildings (if a little crumbling in places). Birthplace of the Renaissance and the one-time financial centre of Europe, it is home to a wealth of monuments, museums, churches and great libraries, most of which are situated on the N bank of the river, within a triangle created by the river and 2 main roads and covering an area of around 1¾ sq mls. The most popular attractions are quite stunning and even the hordes of tourists which buzz around them at all times cannot detract from their initial impact (although prolonged exposure to the crush can be irritating). Cafes, restaurants and Italian ice-cream parlours line the streets near all major attractions, and the streets themselves are narrow and quite dark as tall buildings block out the sun; pavements are almost nonexistent. There is an extensive pedestrianised area in the centre, but the concept is loosely interpreted with buses, thousands of mopeds, bicycles, 3-wheeled postal vehicles, police cars and delivery trucks all having access. You can escape from the slightly claustrophobic tangle of streets along the river side or at Boboli Gardens on the S side of the river, where it's possible to walk up into the beginnings of the Tuscan hills and look down on Florence from above. Temperatures and humidity soar in the summer months and the best temperatures - and most tourists - are found in spring and autumn; August is low season, as the locals tend to take their holidays at this time and many of the more quality restaurants are closed.

International visitors of all ages are attracted by the art, architecture and history, often as part of a tour.

A full range of small- to medium-sized hotels and pensions of all categories, but prices tend to be high.

Florence is the male fashion capital of Italy with lots of upmarket boutiques and shoe shops in the shopping area stretching from the station to the cathedral. Expensive gold and jewellery shops surround Ponte Vecchio. Various markets, including San Lorenzo for local produce, some bargain souvenirs and quality leather goods; antique markets on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of every month. Gucci and Prada outlets a little outside the city.

Daytime: the famous green and white cathedral (Duomo Santa Maria del Fiore), topped by Brunelleschi's dome and with associated museum; Uffizi art gallery offering masterpieces by great artists, from Botticelli to Rembrandt; Academy Gallery housing Michelangelo's David; Modern Art Gallery, in Pitti Palace, containing works by 19th- and 20th-century Tuscan artists; Silver Museum displaying treasures from the Medici family collection; church of Santa Croce with the tombs of Galileo, Machiavelli and Michelangelo; other churches include Santa Maria Novella and San Lorenzo; the extensive Boboli Gardens. Nightlife: late-night dining; a dozen piano bars; about 10 discos; 5 cinemas; rock, jazz and classical music concerts; Teatro Puccini for modern theatre; Teatro Comunale for opera, concerts and ballets; Teatro della Pergola for classical drama.

A full range of restaurants and pizzerias to suit all budgets. Family-owned trattorias are popular and offer food typical of the region. Traditional fare is simple and rustic, with basic ingredients centring around white beans, polenta and the ubiquitous pasta. Regional specialities include grilled steak and baccala, a dish consisting of dried cod cooked with oil, garlic and pepper. Chianti is the local wine.

A cheap, comprehensive, colour-coded bus service covers the city. One ticket is valid for 60 mins, regardless of how many buses taken or distance travelled. Tickets are purchased from main bus stations or from tobacconists and punched in a machine on the bus. Other tickets are available for 3 hours, 1 day or 7 days. Plenty of taxis but - although metered - they tend to be expensive; taxi ranks can be found on most piazzas and by the train station.

Half day: nearby country houses and gardens; interesting, historically rich towns and villages including Fiesole, Pisa, Lucca and Montecatini Terme. Full day: Siena; San Gimignano.

In the region of Tuscany, three-quarters of the way up the "boot" of Italy; inland, midway between the Ligurian and Adriatic seas. 50 mls E of Pisa. 3 mls SE of Amerigo Vespucci airport.

In a low-lying position on the banks of River Arno, surrounded by high Tuscan hills.

Website: english.firenze.net

Airport : Florence
Airport Code: FLR
Flight time from ther U.K.: 2 hrs 15 mins