I first went to Italy the summer of my A Levels, but since I spent my stay working and not holidaying, I didn’t get much chance to see the country. Ever since, I’ve vowed to go back, and since Ryanair were offering free flights from Frankfurt Hahn to Pisa, now seemed the perfect opportunity. I only had 3 days there, but I managed to see a lot, including parts, although not all, of Pisa, Florence and Lucca. I’m not going to tell you absolutely everything about everything in Florence with this op for a number of reasons. Firstly if you wanted that you can read a guide book, and secondly, I didn’t do or see absolutely everything. What I will do though, is take you on a walk through the city. It’s the route I took, and it takes you past a lot of important sites and monuments. The details in brackets after the names of places and buildings include their opening times and entrance fees for adults and concessions. In lots of places children under 16 are free when accompanied by adults. Prices are in Euros and cents – I work on 1 Euro being 60p, but it varies daily. The times are right for weekdays, but may change at weekends and out of season.

At the station, pop into the Tourist Info office. They’re not that wonderfully helpful, but they sell decent maps of the city for 50 c, and they can book accommodation for you if you want to stay in the city and haven’t made plans in advance. Leave the station and walk along Via San Antonio (just across the road, leading off the main square). Take a right onto Via Farenza which leads to San Lorenzo, one of the many famous churches in the city, designed by Brunelleschi and finished off by Michelangelo (the artist, not the teenage mutant hero turtle :p ) From here take Via de Martelli to the Duomo. It’s one of many streets that leads there, but it’s a good one to walk along because there’s a fantastic little shop at the end selling post cards for 10 cents – significantly less than the 50 cents you’ll get charged around the corner.

From the Duomo, take the path to the left which leads behind the structure to the BARGELLO (9am-2pm, 4 Euro / 2 Euro, www.arca.net/db/musei/bargello.htm). One of Italy’s first national museums, this is spread out over 3 floors, with the pieces well presented. A nice museum, with staff present in most areas, but not in your face. Some famous pieces too, including David by Donatello, the 1st nude structure carved since classical times. One of my favourite pieces was „Lady with a posy“ – much more radiant that the Mona Lisa, although this could have something to do with the fact it’s not protected by thick bullet proof glass. The work is attributed to Andrea Verrocchio although some believe it to be the work of one old his more famous pupils – Leonardo da Vinci.

Head back to the Bargello and follow Via del Proconsolo (or the signs) to PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA and the Uffizi. The Piazza is one of Florence’s best attractions, and not just because it’s completely free. It’s the place to see Ammannati’s Neptune Fountain, Michelangelo’s David, Cellini’s Perseus and many more works also dating from the 16th century. There are (expensive) cafes if you fancy a drink and a snack, but a better option if you just want a sit down is the steps around the edge – just look out of the pigeon poo.

The end of the Uffizi overlooks the river, and if you head this way as you leave, within a couple of minutes you’ll hit PONTE VECCHIO(www.mega.it/eng/egui/monu/ponvec.htm). Built in 1345, this is Florence’s oldest bridge, hence the name. It used to house all sorts of tradesmen, from butchers to blacksmiths, but they were evicted in the late 1500s by Duke Ferdinando I because, in his opinion, they were too smelly and noisy.... Now you’re more likely to find very posh and expensive jewelers on the bridge. There’s also a bust of Cellini – the most famous of Florence’s goldsmiths – on display. Above street level there’s also Vasari’s corridor. This in an enclosed, elevated walkway that links the Uffizi with Palazzo Pritti, built so the nice comfortable royals wouldn’t have to mix with the common folk on the ground. This is closed at the moment, but should be open again by next year.

Extra Points:

Busses serve most of the main sites in the city, but a lot of areas are also pedestrianised. Buy a bus ticket at a tabacci – they cost 1 Euro for up to an hour’s travel. Don’t forget to validate it in the yellow machine when you get on board.

For eating, Florence offers everything from all you can eat Chinese buffets to typical Tuscan fare. The tourist-menus in lots of places offer incredible value – usually a 2 course meal and a drink for about 10 Euros.

I had a couple of guide books with me, my favourite of which is the DK Eyewitness Guide to Florence and Tuscany. ISBN is 0 7513 00 357 and the rrp is 12.99

For general info on Florence in general, some good sites are: