Located to the north of Italy, Florence, the capital city of Tuscany, is a small town just off the banks of the River Arno, with a very rich history and cultural heritage.

Florence was established as a military garrison of strategic importance in 50 BC by Julius Caesar because it was on the Northern European route, which the Romans had been eyeing for expansion.

Under the rule of the noble De Medici family that patronized Renaissance Art, Florence in Tuscany came to be regarded as the birthplace of the renaissance during the 14th century, with the Renaissance movement reaching its peak during the rule of Lorenzo the Magnificent who belonged to the Medici family. Great men Leonardo Da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli and Michelangelo Buonarroti, Galileo, Donatello and Raphael all benefited from Medici patronage.

The European Renaissance spanned 14th to 17th centuries and Florence came under French control for a significant part of the 18th century and later under Napoleon for a brief period towards the end of the century. In 1860, Florence became part of unified Italy.

What to see

Guided bus tours and walking tours are available daily in Florence departing from the Piazza Santa Maria Novella, and they have English speaking guides. The Duomo or the Cathedral of Florence is the main attraction in Florence. Galleria degli Uffizi holds the world's most important collection of Renaissance art, while Galleria dell Academia has paintings and sculptures from the 13th-16th centuries and Michelangelo's David, the most famous sculpture in the world, is in the Galleria dell Academia. Public and private gardens and parks, beautiful churches and basilicas and several other attractions and historic landmarks will be covered during the guided tours.

When to visit

Florence is an interesting place to visit at any time of the year as most attractions are open all year round and are mostly indoors. But you can give Florence a miss during July and August as these summer months can get very hot and humid and even locals escape to better locales.

Spring and autumn months of April, May and June, and September & October are ideal when temperatures are more favorable. During winter, the weather can be unpredictable, from November to February. Although it is mild with plenty of sunshine, there can be several days of heavy rain and occasional icy winds.

Where to stay

Florence has over 600 hotels that include luxury hotels, budget hotels and bed and breakfast accommodations, but all the same it is advisable to book ahead if you have planned your Florence trip between April and October. Most hotels in Florence are expensive as compared with other Italian cities. If you arrive without prior hotel reservation, the tourist desk at the train station, which is known as the ITA (Consorzio Informazioni Turistiche Alberghiere), will be of great help. While the best hotels are located in the city center, you will find cheaper and better value hotels away from the Florence city center.

Shopping

Business hours for shops in Florence are from 09:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:00 or 20:00, while the large shopping centers remain open all day long. Not many shops are open on Sundays and they close around 17.30 on Saturdays. You can shop for antiques, high end fashion clothes, leather goods, jewelry, books, prints and art paper especially the marbled paper, a Florence specialty that is over 600 years old. The busy local markets in Florence provide great bargains on several items and are a fun way to shop.

Food

Florence has numerous exciting places to dine out, with a wide variety of food available, that it is almost impossible to choose; Pizzas, pasta, a variety of fish, cheeses, and fresh vegetables are common food items. Lunch and dinner both follow the same pattern starting with antipasto, followed by primo, main course or secondo, and finish with a choice of fruit, pudding or ice cream and washed down with espresso coffee.

What to wear

Florence is very warm during July and August and therefore you have to dress lightly although if you are visiting some churches shorts, tanks tops and sandals may be prohibited at some tourist destinations. November through January is cold and you will have to resort to layering to keep warm. October, November, December, March and April are rainy months and you will need umbrellas or raincoats if you plan to visit during these months.

Local transport

The chief attractions in Florence are consolidated in a few areas around its city center and are easily accessible on foot, which could take you about half hour. As for the Italian public transport systems, the orange colored buses of the ATAF service are reasonably priced and reliable. White taxis that may be hired from the official taxi stations are extremely convenient, a tad expensive though. Florence city is served by two airports, Pisa International Airport (Galileo Galilei) and Florence Airport (Amerigo Vespucci) not far from the city center.

Banks and Money changing

You will find currency exchange booths at airports, rail and bus stations, hotels, stores, and privately run exchange firms with convenient hours though the rates may not be as favorable as what banks offer.

Money Exchange

Best And Fast Change Via de' Cerretani, 47-red 055 2647358

Best And Fast Change
Borgo San Lorenzo, 16
055 284391

Pharmacy and Hospitals

Two pharmacies remain open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in Florence; one is opposite Duomo, near the corner of Borgo S. Lorenzo street and the other one is at the train station.

Hospitals in Florence

Policlinico di Careggi
Viale Morgagni 85, Tel. 055 4277111

Arcispedale di S. Maria Nuova
Piazza S. Maria Nuova, Tel. 055 27581

Tourist office contact

Official tourism outlets are located on the Borgo Santa Croce, the Piazza della Stazione, the Via Cavour, and at the nearby Amerigo Vespucci Airport. Working hours:(1st March through 31st October): from Monday to Saturday: 8.15 to 19-15 Sundays and Holidays: 8.30 to 13.30 (1st November through 28th February): from Monday to Saturday: 8.15 to 19.15

Visa

US citizens intending to visit Florence as tourists would not require any visa and can enter Italy with a valid passport.

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