Florence

Choice is not the problem when deciding where to stay in Florence, as walking through the centre, it seems that every other house, appartment block or palazzo is masquerading as a hotel, pensione or B&B.

Florence is equipped with hotels for all budgets; for instance, you can find both budget and luxury hotels in the centro storico (historic center) and along the Arno. Florence has so many famous landmarks that it's not hard to find lodging with a panoramic view. 

If what you want is top-of-the-line famous designer goods, there is certainly no shortage of these shops in Florence.

Beauty abounds throughout the shops, whether it’s the articles sold, the way of presenting them, or the décor and design of the shop itself.

Florence’s rustic cuisine has humble origins that date as far back as the Etruscans, an ancient civilization after whom Tuscany was named. Although pasta is said to have originated in China, the Etruscans blended certain ancient grains to create a spaghetti-like concoction of their own. Among the typical Florentine pastas is pappardelle, often served al cinghiale (wild boar sauce) or sulla lepre (rabbit sauce).

Taste
March 11-13

Florentine foodies flock to this huge gastronomic extravaganza, part trade fair and part gastronomic free-for-all, housed in the converted Stazione Leopolda train station. Centred on long rows of food and wine stalls inside the Leopolda, the three day event also offers tastings, exhibitions, talks, pop-up food stalls and off-site events in Florence restaurants, hotels and landmarks.

Scoppio del Carro

Easter Sunday

One of Florence’s most ancient events, the Scoppio del Carro centres on a cart stuffed with fireworks pulled by a team of white oxen and escorted by a procession of Florentines in Renaissance costume. Once the cart gets to Piazza del Duomo (and the oxen have been detached) a fiery mechanical dove swoops from inside the cathedral to light the blue touchpaper. For a Christianised pagan rite of spring, it’s all great fun.

Maggio Musicale
April -June

Founded in 1933, the Maggio has become Italy’s leading opera and classical music festival, with a strong remit for new work and revivals of little-known curios amidst the more mainstream fare. A roster of visiting performers bolster the sterling work of the city’s Maggio Musicale orchestra and choir conducted by Zubin Mehta. Main venue is the dramatic Teatro dell’Opera di Firenze concert hall by ABDR architects, which opened to the public in May 2014.

Firenze Gelato Festival