Around the magnificent striped marble Duomo with its mighty cupola, Renaissance Florence is pared-down elegance. Think of the arresting symmetry of the Pazzi chapel, the sombre stucco of the Ponte Vecchio, the severe grandeur of the Uffizi... And what riches lie within, from the Raphaels and Titians in the lavish

Galleria Palatina to Fra Angelica’s sensitive frescoes, from markets full of exquisitely tooled and gilded craftwork to Fendi’s sensuous suedes and leathers. Florence is a paradise for shoppers as well as art lovers. As for the food, all the bounty of the surrounding Tuscan hills is but a step from your table.