Florence Holidays

Stroll through narrow cobbled streets and open piazzas to experience the cosmopolitan buzz of Florence, or climb the steps of the Duomo for panoramic views of this timelessly beautiful city.

But it's not just its film star looks that make it so popular - Florence is truly the renaissance city, rich in artistic and intellectual heritage and with plenty of things to do.

From Cimabue and Giotto, the fathers of Italian painting, to Botticelli and the universal geniuses of Leonardo and Michelangelo, Florence has inspired generations of influential artists. Luckily, much of the great works and buildings produced by these masters have remained in Florence, at museums like the Uffizi, ready for your grateful appreciation.

Around Piazza del Duomo

The Piazza del Duomo is the queen of Florence's open spaces. Here, the cathedral's splendid vault has recently been restored. Around the Duomo, densely packed streets and squares pulsate with Florence's history and reflect its sophisticated elegance. Close by is Piazza Della Repubblica, the ancient heart of the city.

Café society

In the middle of Piazza Vittorio Emanuele stands the legendary Caffè Delle Giubbe Rosse, the haunt of writers and artists throughout the 20th-century. This charming café continues to attract both Florentines and visitors alike.

Santa Croce

One of Florence's most captivating quarters is around Santa Croce, a majestic Franciscan church surrounded by medieval streets containing Renaissance palaces, artisans' workshops and neighbourhood markets. The tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli, are also here.