Florence (Firenze in Italian) is the capital of the region of Tuscany, on Italy's northwest coast. Florence is a small city, located in the Arno River valley, and surrounded by olive-planted hills on the north and south. It extends west and slightly east along the Arno valley with suburbs and light industry. The centro storico (historic center), where visitors spend most of their time, is a tight tangle of medieval streets and piazze (squares). Most of Florence, and the majority of the tourist sites, lie north of the river, within a vintage artisan's working-class neighborhood wedged between the Arno and the hills on the south side.
The center is encircled by a traffic ring of wide boulevards, known as the Viali, that were created in the late 1800s by tearing down the city's medieval walls. Since the 14th century the cultural heart of the city has been the Piazza della Signoria with the Palazzo Vecchio (Town Hall), the Uffizi Gallery and a large number of publicly displayed world famous sculptures.
In the Renaissance period, Florence was one of the most powerful and influential of the city states. The wealthy and powerful de' Medici family ruled the city almost continuously from 1434 to 1743 and had a great influence on the architecture and arts. They built many palaces and commissioned such artists as Michelangelo to design and decorate them.
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Holiday Inn Florence - Discount Hotel Rates - 3 AAA
Holiday Inn Florence is located in the southern residential area of Florence, near the exit Florence South of Motorway A1.
Sheraton Firenze Hotel - Discount Hotel Rates - 4 AAA
Hotel located on the outskirts of Florence, only 5 kilometers from downtown. Shuttle service is available to the surrounding area.
First Hotel Florence - Discount Hotel Rates - 4 AAA
Hotel is located near the bus station and 2 miles from Amerigo Vespucci Airport.
Best Western Hotel Rivoli - Discount Hotel Rates - 4 AAA
The Best Western Hotel Rivoli is located in the city center, near Duomo and the shopping district.
Montebello Splendid - Discount Hotel Rates - 5 AAA
Located in the heart of the Florence, near the Arno river and close to the major tourist attractions of the Ponte Vecchio, Museo dgli Uffizi and Palazzo Pitti.
Florence (Firenze in Italian) is the capital of the region of Tuscany, on Italy's northwest coast. Florence is a small city, located in the Arno River valley, and surrounded by olive-planted hills on the north and south. It extends west and slightly east along the Arno valley with suburbs and light industry. The centro storico (historic center), where visitors spend most of their time, is a tight tangle of medieval streets and piazze (squares). Most of Florence, and the majority of the tourist sites, lie north of the river, within a vintage artisan's working-class neighborhood wedged between the Arno and the hills on the south side.
