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A visit to Florence (Firenze) is a must for any art lover. UNESCO estimates that 60% of the world’s most important artworks are in Italy, with over half of them located in Florence. Situated in the northwest of Italy, surrounded by the wine-growing hills of Chianti, the city attracts rapture and frustration in equal proportions. Few can dismiss the image of Brunelleschi’s cathedral dome bursting through the morning mist – a terracotta balloon hovering above the medieval rooftops. But once the visitor drops down to street level, the profusion of traffic, tourists and touts can remove all sense of tranquillity. It seems every building holds a masterpiece, demanding attention and often gobbling up funds. The streets are narrow and dark, enclosed on either side by granite palaces and even the open spaces are crowded with babbling tour groups.

Often called the cradle of the Renaissance, Florence owes much of her wealth to the Middle Ages. Banking became big business on the back of the city’s profitable wool trade and, in 1235, Florence minted the florin, the first gold coin to become standard currency across Europe. In their turn, these bankers commissioned some of the finest art and architecture in the city. The names Strozzi, Rucellai and Pitti can be found all over Florence but it was the Medici family – who led the city for over 300 years off and on – that nurtured the greatest flowering of Renaissance art. The paintings of Botticelli, the sculptures of Michelangelo and the rusticated palaces of Michelozzo all flourished under their rule.

Then, as now, most of the action in Florence took place between Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria, the city’s civic heart. Here, in the historic centre, Dante – forefather of the Italian language – first glimpsed his muse, Beatrice. Here, the Florentine Republic rose and fell. And here, Savonarola’s Bonfire of the Vanities blazed. Florence, for all her timeless charm, is no stranger to destruction. In 1944, all her bridges, save the Ponte Vecchio, were bombed by the Germans in an attempt to stall the advance of the allies. In 1966, the banks of the River Arno burst, flooding the city with her muddied waters and devastating homes and artwork. Most recently, in 1993, a bomb exploded near the Uffizi Gallery ripping through the museum’s interior and claiming several lives. That said, the only violence most tourists are likely to witness is during the medieval football match on June 24 – Florence’s patron saint day – when petty wrangles can spill onto the pitch.

It is best to avoid the peak summer months of July and August when the weather can be unbearably sticky and the prospect of trailing around museums becomes unappealing. Early autumn, when the countryside glows with mellow fruitfulness, is the best time to visit, avoiding the heat and the queues and capitalising on the soft light, empty streets and the abundance of wild mushrooms and just-pressed olive oil.

MEDICI from Ł 23.25 per person (Other currencies) 2 Star, Tourist Class Traditional Hotel This hotel's best selling point is its ideal location. It is situated twenty metres from the Duomo, ten metres from Piazza Repubblica, a two minute walk from Ponte Vecchio and a five minute walk from the train station. Dante Alighieri's (Italy's most famous author) house is a stone's throw away.	Some rooms have television Direct dial phone Hairdryer Automatic wake-up call Voltage 220v
MARTELLI from Ł 24.25 per person (Other currencies) 3 Star, Superior Tourist Class Modern Hotel The hotel is very centrally located on the main road that leads from the station to the Duomo, and is within walking distance of all the major historical sites.	Air conditioning Television Direct dial phone Mini bar Hairdryer Automatic wake-up call Voltage 220v
FENICE PALACE from Ł 35 per person (Other currencies) 4 Star, First Class Modern Hotel The hotel is very centrally located a few steps from the Duomo and other major tourist attractions. This is a pleasant hotel, well placed with excellent access to central Florence's main historical and artistic attractions.	Air conditioning Television Satellite television Direct dial phone Mini bar Hairdryer Voltage 220v
VILLA MEDICI from Ł 79 per person (Other currencies) 5 Star, Deluxe Class Traditional Hotel The hotel is located near the river Arno to the west of the city and is about ten minutes walk to the station.The building is traditional in style, typical of many of the Florentine city houses and buildings.	Air conditioning Television Satellite television Radio Direct dial phone Mini bar Hairdryer Voltage 220v
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