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“Piazza” means “Square” in Italian and it has always played an important role in Florentine history. Since many centuries ago people liked to meet with each other or go for a coffee in the squares in the city center. Explore the most beautiful and important piazzas in Florence to experience the spirit of the renaissance city.

Whether your internal temperature gauge is set to Fahrenheit or Celsius, as the mercury level climbs there is only so much a gelato can do. So do as the Italians do and head to the water. With over 40 pools in Florence it makes for a quick fix from the heat. They are all fairly easy to get to and relatively inexpensive. A quick run down of a few.

The biggest and most impressive of the bunch is the Costoli Pool, located near Campo Di Marte stadium. read full article

The city of Florence has a rich architectural and art heritage, which is preserved in its elegant piazzas (squares), Renaissance palazzi (palaces), and a host of art galleries / museums. Here, we have reviewed five major museums of Florence, where you can browse through drawings, paintings and sculptures created by famous artists.

The Accademia Gallery houses the statue of David - a marble statue of young shepherd mentioned in Bible, the St. Mathew, the Prisoners and other masterpieces by Michelangelo. read full article

Prada, Ferragamo, Fendi, Pucci… these brands are as synonymous with Italy as gelato and gnocchi. Fashion is a high priority for Italians, second only to food. Luckily a trip to Florence can satisfy both your need for fashion and food. Once you get your food fixed covered head to the outlet malls.

Thirty minutes south of Florence on the A-1 in the beautiful hills of Tuscany you can find The Mall. The drive alone is worth the trip, the golden fields are peppered with century old stone castles: it’s truly postcard perfect. read full article

Whether you are looking to add to the collection of vinyl you have back home or pick up a few “dischi” or records by your favourite artist, Florence has a healthy assortment of shops selling new and used albums. One euro deals have almost had their day, but like most cities it still offers up an occasional good find if you know what you are looking for and where to go. Didn’t find that rare Kraftwork or reissued James Brown LP? Don’t despair! With many of Florence’s record shops nestled in some of the city’s most inspiring neighbourhoods I can at least guarantee you will have an amazing time looking.

Data Records93 – Located between Piazza Santa Croce and Piazza delle Signoria the shop couldn’t be more convenient for students or the weekend visitor. read full article

Once you’ve had your fill of frescos and piazzas, it’s time to explore Florence’s nightlife. With a constant influx of university students and tourists, Florence has much to offer in the way of dance clubs and discos. While there are many to choose from, I found the below to be the most inciting.

Space Club is one of Florence’s largest discotheques, located in the center of town right near the S.M.N. train station. With two large floors and a capacity of 800 people, there seems to something for everyone. read full article

I sometimes feel a bit sorry for the children when they’re taken around cities like Florence and dragged to boring places like museums, galleries, churches and shops. They might realise what they’ve missed out on in about twenty years but that’s not what they want to hear there and then. What they want to hear is they’re heading off to somewhere really fun today. So here are a few ideas for days out in between the Duomo and the Academy of Fine Arts. If Brad and Angelina can do it then so can you.

When planning a journey to Florence, you can fly into Pisa, Bologna or just outside Florence itself. Below is a guide to travelling from each of these airports to Florence city centre.

Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport

Undeniably the most conveniently situated for direct access to the centre is Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport, located 4km north-west of Florence. Among others, Alitalia, Meridiana, Lufthansa, Air France, bmi, and Iberia all fly into this airport. read full article

Are you planning to visit Florence in Italy, the cradle of the renaissance? Ponte Vecchio is one of the biggest Florentine attractions which you cannot miss. Find out more about its history before your travel.

Ponte Vecchio means in Italian “old bridge”. The bridge is the oldest and most famous of six Florence’s bridges over the Arno river. There are actually buildings on this medieval bridge which, since the 15th century, are occupied by jewelery shops. In the center of the bridge there are two panoramatic terraces facing both up and down the river. These offer a splendid view over the Arno. The bridge is mentioned in the famous aria “O mio Babbino Caro” from the Opera “Gianni Schiacchi“, by Giacomo Puccini. read full article

So you’ve checked Florence’s major sites off the list: David, the Uffizi gallery, Piazza della Signoria and the Ponte Vecchio to name a few. Now what?

Photo: Getty Images, Corbis

Florence’s historic, cultural and artistic treasures are undeniably many of the world’s best. But that’s not the only thing the city has to offer. And 24 hours are all you need to discover how to live it up like a true Florentine! read full article

1. The art capital of Italy

Known as the cradle of the Renaissance era (la culla del Rinascimento), the historic center of Florence was declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO in 1982. In fact, the centro storico is home to some of the most beautiful monuments, churches and museums of the world and attracts millons of tourists to the city each year. The historic city lies within medeival walls built around it in the 14^th century after Florence began to grow due to its economic growth. Some of its most prominent sights include the Duomo, the Uffizi museum, the Galleria dell’Accademia where the statue of David is held and the Ponte Vecchio. read full article

The reason why nightlife in Florence is so lively is that the city is full of young international people. When walking through the city center, especially at night, you meet only young people and most of them are not Italians. In the city center there are numerous bars, pubs and clubs to visit. Explore the best venues in town and let’s have fun.

For the best prices near the Duomo, stop by the sleek Shot Cafè in Via de’ Pucci, a hang-out for a young crowd of students and the like. A stop at the Shot guarantees an international sample of folks; speak to locals, passers-through, soldiers on leave and Erasmus students, for example. The pitcher specials are a steal at 9€; you can order a variety of mixed drinks or the popular aperitivo drink Spritz. Happy Hour begins at 4 PM and doesn’t end until 9. This trendy bar also offers a variety of food items and free wireless internet.

Plenty of bars in Florence offer an earthier, heartier experience. The Dublin Pub is perfect for a short trip into the Renaissance Capital; situated near the train station, it promises generous pints of Irish brew, namely Guinness, Harp and Strongbow. read full article

There is something for everyone in Florence. It is jam-packed with museums, galleries, churches, restaurants, shops and markets, whilst having beautiful scenery to boot. I have lived here for five months and there is still so much I want to see and do. For those visiting on a city break, it is difficult to strike a balance between seeing the best of what Florence has to offer and running yourself into the ground. Below are my top tips for making the most of your visit.

Known as the cradle of the Renaissance (la culla del Rinascimento), due to its abundance of art and architecture, Florence attracts millions of tourists every year. However, the city’s river valley location and its surrounding hills make for extremely hot and humid summer weather, with average temperatures ranging from 27 to 31°C from June to September.