The European Commission has introduced a new visa “cascade” regime for Indian nationals applying for Schengen visas in India. This regime looks to offer longer-term, multi-entry Schengen visas, based on the applicant’s travel history.
08.04.2024 - 10:51 / lonelyplanet.com
Many of Florence’s most iconic sights are iconic precisely because they haven't changed in hundreds of years.
But while the allure of medieval and Renaissance art may be timeless, your experience in the city will change depending on when you visit. While there is no shortage of things to see and do throughout the year, each season offers the chance to see the Tuscan capital from a different perspective. No matter what your motivation – perhaps avoiding crowds to enjoying outdoor dining – you’ll find plenty of reasons to come back to Florence season after season.
Here is a round-up of what you can expect during spring, summer, autumn and winter.
There are many good reasons why spring is often described as the best season to visit Florence. The weather improves and days get longer following the typically gloomy winter, pushing people outside to enjoy the sunshine. The tables of restaurants and cafes are once again scattered on sidewalks and piazzas and the city’s gardens invite long strolls amid the blossoming flora.
This is the ideal time to explore the hilly neighborhoods of the Oltrarno on foot. In mid-April, for about 10 days, the wisteria covering the passageway that runs through Villa Bardini’s garden turns pink and purple, creating a unique, natural frame for one of the most captivating city views.
The Giardino dell’Iris, found steps away from Piazzale Michelangelo, opens for about a month as the iris flower – one of Florence’s symbols – shows its true colors in April. Likewise in the nearby Giardino delle Rose, red roses open up, dotting the grounds that host the sculptures of the Belgian artist Jean-Michel Folon.
On Easter day the Scoppio del Carro ceremony takes place in Piazza del Duomo. In the morning, a 500-year-old cart filled with fireworks is brought in front of Florence’s Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and ignited by the cardinal to wish the city a plentiful spring season.
Spring is also a good time for classical music lovers. Between April and June, the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino festival takes place in the city’s Opera Theater, tributing an ancient celebration held in the city during the Middle Ages at the beginning of harvest season.
Ready to plan your trip? Here are the top things to know before going to Florence
The high season opens with one of the most awaited events of the year in the city. The Calcio Storico tournament, where Florence’s historic neighborhoods compete in a brutal game that blends elements of soccer, rugby and boxing, is held in Piazza Santa Croce in June. The square – one of the largest in Florence – is turned into a sand arena where 4000 spectators gather during three consecutive weekends to support their district as they clash with their opposers.
Folklore isn’t
The European Commission has introduced a new visa “cascade” regime for Indian nationals applying for Schengen visas in India. This regime looks to offer longer-term, multi-entry Schengen visas, based on the applicant’s travel history.
Sitting comfortably along the banks of the Arno River, Florence has been welcoming tourists since the early days of international tourism, building a global reputation that is hard to match.
With its compact size and abundance of architectural landmarks, navigating Florence is hardly a challenge.
Northern France’s counterpart to the famed Côte d’Azur, one insanely scenic stretch of coast has it all.
This week, The St. Regis Venice welcomed an enticing new arrival. But not the kind you might imagine. The chic hotel’s newest resident is not a Hollywood celebrity, but an ultra-exclusive Rare Cask Cognac from LOUIS XIII by Rémy Martin.
Tucson, Arizona is one of our Best Places to Go in the North America for 2024, part of our global guide to the Best Places to Go in 2024—find more travel inspiration here.
There aren’t many people who can claim to have seen a snowman fly over their house. It may sound fantastical, but every Christmas I settle down to watch The Snowman, Raymond Briggs’s best-loved work, and watch as the red-haired boy and the plump, tangerine-nosed snowman swoop over the downs that surround the village where I live before gliding above the Royal Pavilion and Brighton Pier and on out to sea.
Some airports put their terminal and parking lot roofs to clever use by installing solar panels to generate electricity for day-to-day operations or backup power.
Recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO since 1982, the historic center of Florence boasts a vast collection of medieval and Renaissance art and architecture, despite its relatively compact size.
This Mother’s Day, forget about gifting a typical bouquet, and instead opt for one of these long-lasting floral fragrances. Ideal for travel lovers, each one is inspired by a far-away land and one spritz will bring back memories of beautiful destinations spent with loved ones.
Florence has been a key destination on Italian itineraries since the Grand Tour days, when British and German aristocrats traveled through the peninsula to enrich their cultural baggage and gain status. While much has changed since the 17th and 18th centuries, the Tuscan capital remains a major draw, as proven by the thousands of people who reach the city every day.
This is part of Off Season Italy, a collection of guides highlighting the year-round appeal of Italy's most popular destinations, courtesy of our favorite local tastemakers. Read more here.