Places To See Before You Die… Florence

If it's good enough for Kimye, it's good enough for us and Florence has long been on our dream holiday destination list. If you like pizza, red wine and gelato (and let's face it, who doesn't?), you will be well taken care of in Italy but there is more to this stunning city than filling your belly. The most popular time to visit Florence is from April to August when temperatures soar but unfortunately, the prices do likewise so if you are looking to explore the area on a budget then stick to January or February. Florence Airport is very small and is not serviced by many commercial carriers so you'll need to fly to another Italian city to reach it. Ryanair fly into Pisa in under three hours from Dublin, with flights costing about €159 in July, while Aer Lingus have a route to Bologna that is a little more expensive. From both destinations, you can easily get a bus or train to Florence to begin your adventure. The beauty of Florence is that you can while away your days wandering down little side streets, taking in the stunning architecture or enjoying some great coffee while people-watching but if you fancy fitting in some culture, try the Uffizi Gallery. This gem houses a wealth of Renaissance art and really requires two days to fully appreciate the entire collection. Our top tip is to arrive first thing in the morning to avoid the bulk of the tour groups and make the most of your time. If you fancy getting off the beaten track a little, the Arttour iPhone app takes you on a journey through Florence and Tuscany’s artisan workshops. The application is sponsored by Artex, which promotes arts and crafts in the region, and helps visitors to easily find crafts galleries and makers’ studios in the nearby area. Next up, how about some music? Churches around Florence offer performances throughout the year, with those at St Mark’s English Church are usually free. Time Out also recommends St Mark’s Opera Company performances, the magnificent Chiesa di Orsanmichele and the 12th-century Chiesa di Santo Stefano al Ponte Vecchio. Every holiday needs a few souvenirs so try the Mercato Nuovo (pictured above), which is a covered market located in the historic centre of Florence. And while you're there, don't forget to rub the nose of the boar statue known as Il Porcellino. Legend has it that if you rub his snout and put a coin in his mouth, then you'll return to the city and the coins contributed go towards local charities so you're also donating to a good cause. The Boboli Gardens is a beautiful and varied Italianesque garden and is essentially an outdoor museum of garden sculpture. Other 'must see' locations on your trip include the Basilica di San Lorenzo, one of the oldest churches of Florence and the burial place of all the principal members of the Medici family, and 'Il Duomo', a cathedral showcasing some amazing Gothic architecture (also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore). If you're looking for a feed, we recommend Casa del Vino for some rustic food and great wine, Trattoria de Maria for a typically Tuscan feast or Il Teatre del Sale, which is an artistic members club. This is a gem as it serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a buffet style, while the chef creates different dishes in the kitchen and diners gather around to taste. They also provide live entertainment as part of your meal price so we would definitely try this one! There are also plenty options for places to stay in Florence, regardless of your budget, with centrally located spots available from €50 a night to €200 a night for four-star luxury. Check out HerHotels.ie for some great deals.