Florence, Italy

Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence.

The city lies on the River Arno and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. A centre of medieval European trade and finance, the city is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; in fact, it has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages. It was long under the de facto rule of the Medici family. From 1865 to 1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy.

The historic centre of Florence continues to attract millions of tourists each year and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.

Things to See & Do

* Ponte Vecchio
* Duomo's skyscraping dome
* Basilica di San Lorenzo
* Uffizi gallery

General information

Cruise Season - Feb to Dec
Currency - Euro (€)
Language - Italian
Land Area - 3,514 sq km
Population - 374,500
Electricity - 2 pin Round pins European style
Time - GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time)
International Country Telephone Code - 055

Port Location - The nearest major port to Florence is Livorno Port which is a one hour drive from the dock to the city centre of Florence.

Transport Links - Florence can be reached by air, rail and bus from other Italian cities and European centres. The train is the most convenient option for reaching Florence from other Italian cities or abroad.