No other city in Europe can rival the attractions of Florence, nor offer so much to see and do in a weekend or a longer stay.Here you can see the finest works of Italy’s greatest artists, such as Leonardo Da Vinci, Brunelleschi, Michelangelo to name but a few.

ON ARRIVAL
From Florence airport take a bus to the central station (20 mins, approx £ 2), or a taxi to the centre (approx £ 10);
from S. Maria Novella Station a taxi to your hotel costs from £ 4.

DINING OUT
The most popular dishes are "ribollita", (thick vegetable soup) and "salsiccia di cinghiale" (boar sausage); don’t forget to try Toscan salami, "pecorino" cheese of Siena, the typical crusty Toscan bread and other local specialities. The local Brunello, Chianti and Vino Nobile wines are an ideal accompaniment to your meal.
SHOPPING
In Florence, more than in any other city, you will find that sense of style for which Italy is famous; everything is touched by it, from antique shops to sandwich bars, from hand painted paper to inexpensive leather gloves.
For clothes there are a lot of exclusive boutiques on and around Via dei Tornabuoni, Via della Vigna Nuova and Via dei Calzaiuoli.
For antiques head for Via Maggio and Via dei Fossi, while jewellery has been sold in the stores along the Ponte Vecchio since the 16th century.You can find excellent leather goods at the famous market behind San Lorenzo.
There is also the smaller Mercato Nuovo on Via Calimara, selling lace, leather and straw items.

THE SIGHTS
The Duomo
The Baptistery
The Uffizi Gallery
Church of Santa Maria Novella
Ponte Vecchio
Boboli Gardens
Pitti Palace
Piazza della Signoria
Galleria dell'Accademia
San Marco Museum
Basilica of Santa Croce
Bargello Museum
Piazzale Michelangelo
The pretty town of Fiesole

First and second photo: www.nicobastone.com