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Italy : Florence - May 2008

Country Code: Dial for Italy

Getting around

Florence Peretola

Bus: Vola In Bus departs from outside the airport to Stazione Santa Maria Novella every 30 minutes. Tickets cost €4,50.
Taxi: A taxi from the airport into the city centre takes 20 minutes and costs about €16.
Tourist information: The main tourist information point is at 29r Borgo Santa Croce. There is also one in the piazza outside Santa Maria Novella Stazione and at 1r Via Cavour (www.firenzeturismo.it).

OLTRARNO

Away from the tourist hordes, the area south of the River Arno is home to some of the city’s hippest bars and prettiest public gardens.

Sleep soundly – Set in a 15th-century palazzo, Hotel Silla has simple, quiet rooms.

Culture vultures – The iris is the city’s emblem and the Iris Competition at the beautiful Giardino dell’Iris (Piazzale Michelangelo, 5-10 May) is world class.A ticket to the Boboli Gardens (Pitti Palace) will give you access to the adjoining Bardini Gardens too, which have wonderful views over the city.

Must eat – Outside the San Frediano Gate is the city’s finest fish restaurant, Fuor d’Acqua (37r Via Pisana, tel. ). Enoteca Fuori Porta (10r Via del Monte alle Croci, ) has excellent wines and crostini (thin, crisp toast topped with cheese or vegetables).

Must drink – Small and friendly, the High Bar (27 Via dei Renai) is a gem, with a garden, a terrace and free wi-

SANTA MARIA NOVELLA

The area around the main train station teems with young travellers.

Sleep soundly – The superbly located Hotel Roma is set in an 18th-century palazzo.

Culture vultures – For fresh fish, head to the excellent I Quattro Amici (29 Via degli Orti Oricellari, tel. ). Cool down with home-made ice cream at Gelateria Ciolli di Piattoli (95/97 Via Ramazzini Bernardo, tel. ).

Must eat – For fresh fish, head to the excellent I Quattro Amici (29 Via degli Orti Oricellari, tel. ). Cool down with home-made ice cream at Gelateria Ciolli di Piattoli (95/97 Via Ramazzini Bernardo, tel. ).

Dance the night away – Perennially popular Meccanò (1 Viale degli Olmi) plays host to DJs from all over the country.

Shop til you drop – The historic Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella (16 Via della Scala) sells handcrafted products in an ancient frescoed building.

SIGNORIA & DUOMO

The piazzas of the Signoria and the Duomo are hubs of the historic centre, with star attractions such as the Cathedral, Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi gallery.

Sleep soundly – The Hotel Savoy’s central location, five-star service and elegance mean it’s regarded as the city’s best.

Culture vultures – Climb up inside Brunelleschi’s Dome (Piazza del Duomo) for fantastic views over the city.

Must eat – With a large terrace on the piazza, Gilli (36-39 Piazza della Repubblica, tel. ) is excellent for people watching. La Cantinetta dei Verrazzano’s (18-20r Via dei Tavolini, tel. ) fine wines and panini are perfect for lunch.

Must drink – Fashionable bar Oibò (53r Via dei Benci) is a wi-fi hotspot.

Shop til you drop – Head to the Flower market (Piazza della Repubblica) for a feast of the senses.

SANT’AMBROGIO

Make like the locals in this vibrant neighbourhood. Lying to the east of the city centre, it’s packed with bustling markets and excellent eateries.

Culture vultures – Tempio Maggiore (4 Via Luigi Carlo Farini) is one of the most beautiful synagogues in Europe.

Must eat – Acclaimed chef Fabio Picchi oversees proceedings at cultural centre and private members’ club Teatro del Sale (118 Via dei Macci, ). For a €5 membership fee you can dine canteen style and take in a show.

Must drink – Florence’s prettiest café and bar, Cibrèo caffè (5r Via Andrea del Verrocchio) has a wonderful terrace, perfect for Negronis and aperitivo.

Shop til you drop – Sant’Ambrogio Market sells fruit and vegetables and there’s also a covered market selling delicious produce. Around the corner is the Mercato dei Pulci – the flea market at Piazza dei Ciompi.

Compiled by Kamin Mohammadi