Florence is famous for the elegance and taste of its classy craft products, the legacy of a centuries-old tradition. These range from pleasing and highly original clothing accessories and furnishings made from straw, a typical Florentine craft activity, to top-quality, meticulously made leather goods, ceramics and glassware, plus a host of items in wood and metal, including furniture, trinkets and any number of other attractive objects for all ages, tastes and pockets.

Florence als produces some very graceful and original clothes, and is also well-known for its linens and fine embroidery. And in the city where Benvenuto Cellini was born, there is no shortage of silver and gold-work, jewellery and filigree, and typical mosaics made from semi-precious stones. Florence also has a lively antiques trade in both small and large items. Way back in the 13th century travellers were already praising Florence’s pleasing and comfortable hostelries.

The city now has almost 400 hotels of various categories, which can provide accommodation for about 30.000 visitors, besides various cheaper options such as campsites and youth hostels. There are also innumerable restaurants and trattorias in the city centre and the surrounding hills, offering simple, healthy traditional fare. The local cuisine is accompanied by Tuscany’s justly famous wines from the Chianti and other nearby areas: tasty, full-bodied reds, softer whites, sweet dessert wines and vin santo. There are also many restaurants in the city and surrounding area that serve international cuisine.