Florence Holiday Guide

Florence's Amerigo Vespucci Airport  has recently been upgraded. Only four kilometres from the city centre, it is possible to fly there from Gatwick. Another popular option has been to fly into nearby Pisa's Galilei Airport.

Rome is an hour and a half away by train, while Florence is also well connected by rail to the bigger cities of the north. Considering traffic congestion, it might be better to keep the car for when you want to leave the city and explore Tuscany.

Culture vultures on holiday in Florence will have plenty to feast on. The open-air Piazza della Signoria, with its famous Fountain of Neptune, is a key attraction but in fact, it's the Piazza del Duomo which draws the most visitors. The cathedral, known locally as the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, is the city's iconic landmark - its facades is in many ways more jaw-dropping than its interiors.

Art lovers should check out the city's main galleries, namely the Uffizi, the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, the Bargello and the Accademia, which houses work by Michelangelo. It's worth booking tickets to one or all of the "big three" in advance in order to avoid the queues. There are numerous churches to visit - just take your pick.

To relax, take a walk to the ancient and beautiful Ponte Vecchio.

Head to Viareggio on the train or bus for a walk along the promenade or a swim along the beach. It hosts a rollicking carnival in late January or early February with dozens of colourful floats.

Join an excursion to the rolling hills to take your holiday outside Florence. They're dotted with Tuscan vineyards, olive groves, castles and pretty farmhouses. Tour the Chianti wine-growing region or visit nearby Pisa with its Leaning Tower, the elegant city of Lucca or the medieval cities of Siena and San Gimignano. Even day trips to Rome and Venice are possible from Florence.

The city is crammed with traditional trattorias, restaurants and pizzerias. Many of the delicacies come from all over Tuscany, including onions from Certaldo or bread from Mugello. The cheeses include provologne, seasonal pecorino and stracchino. Expect soups, grilled chicken, salamis, fresh fruit and vegetables accompanied by famous wines include Chianti and Morellino. The region also produces its own sweet dessert wine, Grappa.

If you want great views of the Ponte Vecchio, book a table at the riverside San Jacopa restaurant.

Nightlife here is more laid back than other Italian cities, but head to Piazzas Santo Spirito and Santa Croce where most of the action can be found.

If you are after a fairly wild night, head to Oltarno which is south of the river, where a lot of students hang out. If you're after a quieter night then the Piazza della Signoria is for you.

In the summer, the city comes alive with outdoor music performances.

Children will love the Parco di Pinocchio, the theme park dedicated to Pinocchio. Author Carlo Lorenzini was born in Florence in 1826 and the park includes a number of games and attractions.

Local families often head to the Parco delle Cascine, and it's easy to see why. You get 118 hectares of park, an open-air swimming pool, and an amphitheatre. Another popular attraction is the Zoo di Pistoia in Verginina. Your family will love the pine trees, lakes and superb zoo.

Designer brands are clustered around Via Roma and Via Tornabuoni, but bear in mind you can enjoy bargain prices if you go to the out-of-town factory shops such as the Prada outlet and The Mall housing names such as Gucci and YSL

Ponte Vecchio is lined with gold and jewellery shops but other gifts worth looking out for include leather and perfume.