Florence, Italy

Italians say that it will certainly take you more than a day to drink in the beauty of Florence, you will need to stay for at least a long or extended weekend. It is also true to say that it can be a problem to find a room in Florence, especially if you decide to visit on the spur of the moment. To save yourself unwanted trauma, it is always best to book in advance. Florence is always popular with tourists and often the more cost-effective hotels are full in November. You will also find that hotel prices are high even during low season.

If you decide to drive to Florence, take note that the municipal police will not allow you to enter the city unless you have a hotel booking or unless you need to unload your luggage. If you must use a car, it is important to stay at a hotel that has parking.

Santa Maria Novella

Many of the city's hotels are located in this centrally-located district; close to the train station and all the tourist attractions. If you want to stay near the splendor of the Santa Maria Novella, then try Hotel Aprile. Five star hotels are sprinkled throughout the city and some of the best of these hotels include: the Grand Hotel and the Westin Excelsior, (both are in piazza d'Ognissanti) these are the places where the VIPs and politicians stay when they come to visit the city. The Villa Medici has an enticing swimming pool, and is close to the Piazza della Repubblica, as is the Helvetia & Bristol. The Croce di Malta faces the Piazza Santa Maria Novella. The Astoria Palazzo Gaddi is inside a beautiful palazzo which has glorious ceilings decorated with frescoes. If you arrive in Florence by train, you will find many hotels around the Stazione Santa Maria Novella that are either two or three star. Via Panzani (leading to Piazza del Duomo) and Via Nazionale, have a wide choice of reasonably priced hotels, many of these are family run establishments, housed in historic palazzi. The Annabella and the Nizza are only a few of the long list of hotels that will welcome you and treat you well, as you enjoy your trip to this beautiful city.

San Giovanni (Duomo) & San Marco

For comfort and elegance near San Marco, try the Hotel Regency in Piazza Massimo D'Azeglio, a pleasant, peaceful piazza. Many fantastic four star hotels are also scattered throughout the district, the pick of the bunch are: the Grand Hotel Baglioni, which is conveniently located between the Piazza della Stazione and the Duomo, this hotel has a stupendous terrace view. Il Brunelleschi, housed in the splendid, Byzantine Pagliazza tower, was a female prison during the Middle Ages. Il Calzaiuoli is also situated in a prime spot, between Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. The Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti and Le Due Fontane are to be found in the setting of the Piazza Santissima Annunziata.

Santo Spirito (Oltrarno)

Perhaps you would like a view of the Arno? Lungarno has been recently renovated and faces the river.

Campo di Marte & Fiesole

You can also find a wide choice of three-star establishments along the banks of the Lungarni in this district, these are a little further out of town, but you can easily reach the centro on foot within a matter of minutes: such as the Hotel Columbus.

Novoli

If you are coming to Florence for business rather than pleasure, you may find it easier to stay near to the airport or the main motorways. In the north of the city, you'll find the Hotel Alexander and the Hotel Fleming.

Gavinana & Galluzzo

If you want to lose yourself in the midst of the city and be immersed in the green of Viale dei Colli, then the Grand Hotel Villa Cora is ideal, you can take a dip in the pleasant pool, or you can try the four star hotel, Relais Certosa in Certosa del Galluzzo, with its own splendid tennis courts (should you fancy a little exercise). On the outskirts of the south the Holiday Inn Garden Court and the Sheraton beckon. If looking for a view of the Arno, then the Park Palace is for you.

Tuscan cuisine, and Florentine food in particular is essentially based on simple, natural ingredients. It hails from the traditions of peasant food and is wholesome and tasty.

Extra-virgin olive oil is held in pride of place in Florence, and it is never missing from the Florentine table. Olive oil from Tuscany is cold-pressed, green and pungent or pizzichino (sometimes with a slightly bitter after-taste) and is eaten within a year and a half of harvesting the olives. Olive oil is used as a dip for foods such as celery, artichokes and pinzimonio (a selection of fresh vegetables). It is also used in cooking, and as a condiment for salads and delicious bruschette. Amongst the bruschette there is one that is king, and must be tasted to be believed! It is made with red cabbage and beans and then seasoned with ground pepper and Frantoio oil.

If you want to indulge in Florentine bread you should remember that in general, bread in Tuscany does not use salt. Try schiacciata if you want a more flavorful bread—this is a crusty focaccia salted and drizzled with olive oil. A typical Florentine antipasto dish is a recipe called crostini di fegato, pieces of Florentine bread which have been baked and dunked in soup, and then garnished with chicken liver pâté, capers and anchovies.

Another traditional Florentine specialty is the famous bistecca alla fiorentina. The steak comes from Chianina, a region near Tuscany which produces the Chianina breed, regarded as possibly the oldest breed of cattle in the world. It is thick cut, weighs not less than 800g, cooked on the grill, served rare and, on occasion, with a wedge of lemon on the side. A Fiorentina can satisfy two people, but there are those brave enough who will attempt to eat one all by themselves!

The soups and minestre are well worth trying and they are derived from peasant traditions. The most delicious, famous Florentine soup is ribollita, made with a mixture of stale bread, beans, cavolo nero (a black cabbage grown in Tuscany, similar to kale or Swiss Chard) and other typical Tuscan vegetables. Ribollita derives its curious name from the fact that the peasant women would usually cook the soup in large quantities that would be boiled repeatedly (ribollita), and then eaten for several days. As with many leftovers, ribollita always tastes better the day after! Other delicious soups are pappa con il pomodoro (a tomato-based soup that's thickened with bread) and minestra di farro (spelt or barley soup with beans, tomatoes, celery and carrot). While some of these soups might not sound terribly appealing to your palate, they are absolutely delicious, simple and hearty.

Do you have a sweet tooth? Schiacciata alla Fiorentina is a special Florentine treat: an orange-flavored sponge cake, covered with confectioner's sugar (often with a cocoa giglio, or lily - the symbol of Florence—sprinkled onto the center) and filled with pastry or whipped cream. Although typically served around Carnevale, it can be found at Florence's pastry shops year round. Cantuccini di Prato are dry almond biscuits that are dipped in Vin Santo, a sweet, aromatic dessert wine.

Tuscan Specialties These specialties can be found in the majority of Florence's restaurants. Some of the more famous, traditional restaurants include: Il Latini, Trattoria Mario, Coco Lezzone and La Casalinga, there are also many others, so don't feel dismayed if you don't get into the places above.

Haute Cuisine If you fancy something more "refined", or if you want to celebrate a really special occasion, then it is worth spending that little bit extra and going to Enoteca Pinchiorri, or Il Cibreo, you could also try Cammillo, although you will definitely need to book in advance.

Wine Bars There are also many enoteche or wine bars in Florence: here you can drop in, relax and have a glass or two of good Chianti with a sandwich. In the most elegant places e.g. Enoteca de' Giraldi and Enoteca "La Sosta del Rossellino", you can try delicious wines accompanied by tasty bruschette and delicate appetizers. La Barrique wine bar is also very popular and has an extensive wine list.

Pizza Italy is famous for its pizza and pizzerias can be found in almost every nook and cranny of Florence, although getting a typical Neapolitan-style pizza might be a bit of a challenge: Florentine crusts tend to be thin and crispy, cooked in a wood-fueled oven. If you prefer the "traditional" Neapolitan pizza, it is almost always possible to ask for a pizza with doppia pasta (double crust), which means you'll get a softer, thicker crust. Try Ciro & Sons for a slice of Naples in Florence.

International Cuisine Recent years have seen a big growth in the amount of ethnic restaurants, ranging from the Chinese restaurants to Mexican (Cafè Caracol), from Indian (Ashoka or Ristorante India), to Japanese (Momoyama) and there are also many other restaurants in various areas of the city.

Vegetarian Vegetarian cuisine has also made an impression on Florence! Ruth's is next to the Synagogue and sells Kosher, vegetarian fare. Il Vegetariano serves wonderful meat-free and organic dishes and is a huge success in the city.