The capital of Tuscany and intersected by the Arno River, Florence is renowned as one of the historical centres of the Italian Renaissance, which was an unparalleled cultural revival in the arts. Many visitors book a flight and hotel for Florence to visit the city's amazing architectural landmarks, opera venues and museums that showcase the finest Renaissance art. Indeed, city breaks in Florence offer visitors a wealth of cultural and historic sights that very few cities can match.
Visitors who book package holidays for Florence can take direct flights to Florence Airport, Peretola, formally called Amerigo Vespucci airport. You can also take a flight from the UK and Ireland to Florence via Pisa International Airport, which is connected with Florence Airport Peretola. As Italy is just one hour ahead of GMT, UK visitors won't need to adjust their watches much for a weekend in Florence. Note that Italy is one of the Eurozone countries with the Euro as currency.
Many visitors prefer to visit Florence in May, September or October just before and after Italy's warmest summer months (which eclipse 30 degrees Celsius on some days) and peak holiday season. Travellers who take city breaks in Florence in May can catch the superb opera and classical music festival, Maggio Musicale. Other notable festivals in Florence during September and October include the Festa della Rificolona parade and the 50 Days of International Cinema film festival.
A relaxing boat cruise down the Arno is a must on any weekend stay in Florence. Another quintessential activity is to stroll through the Boboli Gardens with its impressive amphitheatre, fountains and sculptures. No city break in Florence would be complete without climbing up to the dome of the magnificent Florence Cathedral - just make sure your phone or camera battery is charged as there are fantastic photo opportunities. Travellers can even soak up some sun and sand at the Spiaggia Sull' Arno urban beach along the Arno during a summer weekend in Florence.
Many people book package holidays to Florence to see the city's architectural gems. The following are just some of the highlights:
Museums are also the biggest attractions for those who book a flight and hotel in Florence. Here are some of the best:
Italian cuisine is amongst the most revered in the world, and Florence is an excellent place to savour it. The bistecca alla fiorentina is included on many of Florence's menus. That's a grilled T-bone steak topped with peppers, olive oil and a lemon wedge. A panzanella bread salad served with olives, onions and tomatoes can also be a sumptuous meal, while Florence's lampredotto, a sliced tripe sandwich, is great for lunches. Those with a sweet tooth should definitely try the delicious schiacciata alla fiorentina, a traditional Florence sponge cake with a little orange zest and additional fillings. Don't forget to sample some exquisite Tuscan wines, such as the red Brunello and white Vernaccia varieties.
If you get the chance to visit the Scuolo del Cuoio (Florence Leather School), be sure to pick up a small handcrafted leather item such as a bracelet or purse featuring pretty designs. Other great local craft items include hand-painted ceramic plates, available from shops all over the city. But it's worth shopping around a bit to get the best prices. For wonderful beauty products made using ancient formulas, visit the Santa Maria Novella Shop, which is also a beautiful museum. The products are additive free and make superb gifts. Book a flight and hotel package for Florence to discover a Renaissance-era city with some of Europe's greatest architectural wonders and Renaissance artworks.