One of the world's great art meccas, Florence, Italy is a wonderful place to learn about painting, sculpture and architecture. It also boasts fantastic Northern Italian cooking.
Decide what time of year you'll be visiting. No matter when you visit, you will encounter other tourists, but spring, autumn and winter are considered off-season and will give you a quieter visit.
Avoid the peak tourist seasons of July and August, if possible. Upwards of 2,000 tour buses pour into the city every day during these months.
Find out if there are any festivals or events you'd like to attend. The Florence May Music Festival is one of the best performing arts festivals in Italy.
Seek out inexpensive flights, transportation and accommodations. You won't want a car, unless you're planning to leave Firenze and explore the countryside.
Check the weather forecast shortly before leaving, and pack accordingly. Summer weather tends toward the muggy, but be sure to bring a sweater for air-conditioning and possibly chilly evenings.
Check out the incredible art and fantastic views of Florence from the top of Il Duomo.
Pay your respects to the tombs of (among others) Michelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo at the Church of Santa Croce.
Pick up a crusty loaf of bread, antipasto and a bottle of Chianti at the Mercato Centrale; then enjoy an impromptu picnic at Boboli Gardens.
Escape the tourists and the art by taking a half-day visit to the enchanting Tuscan village of Fiesole, just 8km from the city. It's accessible by bus.
Don't miss Italy's finest art collection at the Uffizzi Gallery.
Feel the history behind sports at the Calcio Storico, a soccer game played in traditional 16th-century costume on one of Florence's beautiful piazzas.
