Italy Travel Guide

The weather in Tuscany is generally mild but as a small river basin located amidst hills, the climate of Florence tends to be subtropical. Summers are extremely hot and humid while winters are cool and wet. Summer season peaks during July and August months. In fact, in August, a lot of locals also leave the city for vacation in a cooler place. June and September are also warm but relatively more pleasant. December and January are the coldest but it rarely snows in the city. Rainfall is common in the months from October to December as well as March and April. Based on this weather pattern, the best time to visit Firenze is April, May, June, September and October – roughly the Spring and Fall seasons when walking around in the historic centre and dining in open-air restaurants/cafes is very pleasant. This also makes it expensive and crowded during this time of the year. If you don’t mind the heat or the rain, visiting during off season has its own upside. 

The history of Florence spans across 2000 years. It was founded as a Roman military base around the first century BCE. Between the 14th and 16th century, Florence became a major economical centre – the city's ‘florin’, a coin containing of 3.5 grams of gold became the trade coin of all of Western Europe. But more than anything, Florence became the birthplace of Renaissance where arts flourished. It was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy in the 19th century. In fact, the Italian language finds its roots in the Florentine dialect. Even today, walking the cobblestone streets of Florence dotted with churches, basilicas and museums feels like travelling in time – from famous sculpture ‘David’ by Michelangelo in the Accademia Gallery to the dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore. When you’ve time-travelled enough, drink a local wine or a craft cocktail, munch at a family-run food truck or dine at ease. The Florentine culture resonates with living a life full of luxuries and pleasures and eating and drinking well!    

Florence was founded as a military colony to control the north-south crossing of the Arno River through passes in the Appenine Range. Forming a part of the stunning Tuscan countryside, the city is situated 280 kms away from Rome and is surrounded by hills dotted with orchards, vineyards and farmhouses – this is the reason why local produce is immense and utterly fresh. The general elevation of the city is 50 meters and covers an area of over 100 square kms. The Mediterranean Sea and Ionian Sea lie to the south of Florence, the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west and the Adriatic Sea lies to the east. Even though the hills protected the city, walls were built during the early 14th century, most of which are now destroyed but clearly visible in some stretches. Florence expanded beyond its historic centre on the peripheries in the 20th century.