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SAN LORENZO MARKET: From Piazza S. Lorenzo to Via dell'Ariento, all around the Basilica of San Lorenzo (in the very historical centre of Florence city) you can find probably the most important market of the city. Just walk around searching for clothing, articles in leather, souvenirs, etc. It is Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

MERCATO DELLE "PULCI" - The famous FLEA MARKET of Florence is located in Piazza dei Ciompi and it is opens daily from 9 to 19.30. On the last Sunday of every month the stalls extend into the surrounding streets. In it you can find furniture and objects from the past, prints, coins and jewellery. You can also find affordable treasures amidst the bric-a-brac and dusty books. It is well worth a trip if only to get insights on Italy's past through the artefacts displayed in these cluttered stalls.

Traffic is restricted in Florence city centre, so it's best to park a little out of town and walk around - parking in the more central areas of Florence is very expensive. Taxis wait outside Stazione di Santa Maria Novella, or you can phone one.

The city of Florence, (Firenze), is incredibly rich in art, culture and architecture. Thanks to wealthy patrons, Florence city was at the heart of the Renaissance, home to artists and writers such as Michaelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Machiavelli and Raphael. Politically as well as culturally, Florence was an enormous power in Europe, and the glories of it's past remain to enchant modern visitors.

Florence city's status as a tourist destination means it is well-supplied with hotels for most budgets. You're unlikely to find any real bargains - like elsewhere in Italy, you get what you pay for. There are plenty of one and two-star hotels, and rooms to rent, for those on a stricter budget.

In summer, at the height of the tourist season, Florence city can be heaving with tourists, as well as uncomfortably hot. Florence city caters for tourists, and its artistic attractions are indoors, so the town is really an all-year-round destination. You're unlikely to find Florence empty; but visiting away from the summer peak should make the infamous queues a little shorter.

Florence was badly damaged during WWII by the retreating Germans, who bombed all its bridges except the Ponte Vecchio. Devastating floods ravaged Florence in 1966, causing inestimable damage to its buildings and artworks, some of which are still being restored. The salvage operation led to the widespread use of modern restoration techniques that have saved artworks throughout the country.