Italy: Florence

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E. M. Forster, Albert Camus, and Mark Twain, all have plenty to say about Florence. And who wouldn't? The city oozes with culture. Some of the most important advancements in art, literature, architecture and science took place in Florence during the 14th thru 16th centuries. Today, visitors can experience some of the Renaissance heritage through the city's many museums.

It's hard no to miss Florence's other attraction; the cuisine. There's a cafe on every corner, a gelato stand on every cobble-stoned street, and a neighborhood pasta place at every piazza you encounter. Tuscan food tends to be hearty peasant fare like bruschetta and minestrone. It's the perfect complement to the grandeur of Florence's Renaissance achievements. So come to Florence, to the heart of art and culture.

When to go:
April thru June, and September thru October is the time to beat the crowds and heat. If you hate crowds, avoid visiting July and August when the city hosts music and cultural festivals as well as medieval pageants, but think about December, when the weather is mild and you can experience the city like a local.

What to Do:
History/Ruins:
Like most of the old cities of Italy, Florence is awash in history, with ancient churches and villas. This is the town the Medici's built, and the family's power can be seen in the palazzos, churches, and artwork they funded.

Museums:
A veritable treasure trove of marble, frescos and oil paintings, Florence is the undisputed capital of Italian Renaissance art. The Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, the Bargello Museum, and the Palazzo Pitti are some testaments of the artistic past that await visitors to Florence. Florence has about 30 other museums that house fine examples of Renaissance and religious art.

Shopping:
Florence is also know for its antiques and local craftsmanship - silver and gold, leather - among other goods. If you've got some money to spend on shopping, this is the place for it. Via dei Tornabuoni, for example, is Florence's Rodeo Drive or Fifth Avenue - lot of boutiques for clothing and shoes. It's no Milan, but there's plenty to choose from.

Food/Culinary Info:
Tuscany is known for Chianti wine, meat dishes, olive oil and gelato. There are plenty of cafes where you can pick up a cheap sandwich and an espresso, or family-owned places where you can experience real Italian cooking.

Adventure:
There's lots of walking, but not adventure in the traditional sense. Climbing to the top of the Duomo is a challenge, but worth the effort with the views of the city you thought you'd only see in A Room with a View. Caution, tho - the ascent is not for the claustrophobic.

Natural Wonders:
Pretend you are a Renaissance courtier, and stroll the magnificent Boboli Gardens. Located in central Florence, the Gardens offer elegance, views, and plush grass. The many small parks that comprise the Boboli are adorned with stone statuaries and fountains, and are a great get-away within the city.

Arts:
The theatrical and musical season runs from September thru April in Florence, and the arts tend to be heavy on the classics. Classical music, opera, and traditional theatre are popular. The Orchestra Regionale Toscana plays in the Teatro Verdi, a 19th-century opera house. The Teatro Metastasio, a classic 16th-century theater, and the Teatro Manzoni share the mass-appeal Italian plays, while Il Fabbricone and the Teatro della Limonaia share the experimental plays. Beginning in May and lasting through the warm months, the city sponsors all kinds of music, theater, film, poetry and arts events around town.

Festivals/Events:
There are tons of traditional festivals (in addition to music and arts events) throughout spring and summer, including the most important one - San Giovanni Battista - on June 24, which features a huge fireworks display over the Arno.

Nightlife/Bars:
Curiously, Florence has a huge number of Irish bars, complete with Irish bartenders and Guinness on tap. There are also plenty of enoteche- wine bars that serve the best of the region as well as nightclubs and discos.

Gay & Lesbian:
While Italy tends to be on the more conservative side, you can find a pretty good scene in Florence. Check out the gay and lesbian map at Azione Gay e Lesbica www.agora.stm.it/gaylesbica.fi or www.gay.it/gigliofucsia to find out about bars, clubs and other gay-friendly spots.

Cost:
Florence may not be one of Italy's most expensive cities, but it certainly is Tuscany's. Museums are stingy about student discounts, and hotel rooms are expensive. Staying hostels or pensiones in smaller towns in the region and taking a day trip to Florence might be a good alternative. The Euro is Italy's currency.

Getting Around:
Air
There are two airports, though only one, Galileo Airport near Pisa, handles international flights; a fast train, coordinated with flights, connects with Florence (one hour) Amerigo Vespucci Airport, outside Florence takes smaller domestic and charter flights.

If you fly into Rome, there is a special train that goes direct to Florence from the Rome Airport.

Train
Florence's Santa Maria Novella Station is a hub for smaller towns around Tuscany, so there's no difficulty making rail connections.

Car
Narrow, one-way streets, crazed Vespa drivers, and confused tourists make driving in Florence a nightmare. Don't do it.

Intercity Buses
Buses are a great way to travel Italy. There are a lot of different options and levels of service that can become quite confusing. All the bus companies have offices just outside the train station; call or stop by and their information staff will help you get sorted out. In general, however, SITA buses run south to Siena and San Gimignano; LAZZI buses run east to Lucca and Pisa.

Safety:
Like most big cities, you should be careful of your belongings while out.

Language:
Italian is spoken, but many people in the service industry know English or other Western European languages.

Party/Social Scene:
Florence is not really a place to P-A-R-T-Y, but you can certainly enjoy yourself in the evening at a small restaurant over a bottle of Chianti with friends.

Other Info:
Click here for weather forecast from Weather.com.