Set among low hills lined with olive groves and vineyards, Florence on the banks of the Arno River is considered to be the cradle of the renaissance movement that took roots here and then gradually spread to the rest of the Europe. The land of Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Dante, Florence attracts millions of tourists every year.
Florence is home to some of the greatest renaissance monuments in the world. In fact the city is buzzing with sights all within walking distances of each other. Museums and monuments in Italy tend to close on Mondays but as Florence remains a tourist packed destination through out the year, major monuments remain open daily.
Things to see in Florence
Piazza del Duomo: The first glimpse of the cathedral's tiered green, pink and white marble with take your breath away. The construction of the cathedral began in 1296 and it took almost 150 years to complete. The inside of the cathedral is decorated with magnificent frescoes. Also worth admiring are the stained-glass windows that positively glow. There is a stairway near the main entrance that leads you to the crypt, which houses Brunelleschi's dome and the unearthed parts of the 5th century Basilica di Santa Reparata
Restaurants and bars in Florence
Simplicity and quality sum up the Tuscan cuisine. Florence offers a wide array of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Nerbone: Popular with the budget traveler, Nerbone has been serving steaming lunchtime platters since 1872. Start with the ribollita (a rich vegetable soup) and follow it up with biscotti di Prato (crunchy almond cookies) along with Vin Santo (sweet dessert wine). Friday is the fish day here.
Ristorante Lobs: A must try for the midrange travelers, the restaurant offers fresh Mediterranean fish and seafood. You can also choose from a wide selection of pastas in lunchtime.
Ristorante Cibreo: This top end restaurant is very famous in Florence and beyond. Warm timber dominates the décor and the table settings justify its exclusivity. Reservations are essential.
Mayday: The bar is famous for its themed nights and it often runs an art exhibition. The bar has an amazing collection of CDs which is sometimes supplemented with live music.
La Dolce Vita: The place has a very stylish crowd and is packed during the weekends. At other times it is a great place to enjoy a quiet cocktail.
Entertainment and nightlife in Florence
There are several publications available that list the city's festivals, theatrical and musical events and the other entertainment options. You can collect the free Informacitta magazine and the Eventi flyer for the latest updates from the tourist office.
Tenax: This is Florence's most popular nightclub. It is also the city's major venue for Italian and international acts.
Auditorium Flog: Located in the Rifredi area, this is another major venue for bands.
Central Park: This popular nightclub has five dance areas and the music ranges from the Pop and Latin to house. In the summers, you can also dance outside under the stars.
Rio Grande: Rio Grande offers three dance spaces with music ranging from house and funk to mainstream commercial music.
Golfing in Florence
Ugolino Golf Club: This oldest club in Tuscany and indeed in the whole of Italy is largely synonymous with Italian golfing history. Established in 1898 in the heart of the Chianti area, the golf club is about 8 km from Florence. The 18-hole, 5,741 meters long, par 72 golf course offers spectacular views of the surrounding hills. There is a tennis court, swimming pool, bar and restaurant and a pro-shop on the grounds. The golf course has played host to many competitions and national championships.
