Florence is not a travelers` paradise for nothing. One glance at its `must visit` tourist hot spots and you know the real reason behind the immense popularity of this destination.

Duomo - Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore:One of the most beautiful cathedrals in Florence, Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore sits right in the heart of Florence. Its construction began in 1296 and got completed in 1436, the year of its consecration. You can climb the dome of the cathedral to get an awe-inspiring view of this wonderful city.

Campanile:This Gothic bell tower was designed by Giotto in 1334 and was completed after 22 years. 441 steps take you to the top of the tower to treat you with a scintillating view of the Brunelleschi`s cupola and this great city.

Ponte Vecchio:Built in 1345, Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in the city and the only one to survive the destruction caused by WW2. It is occupied by blacksmiths and jewelers who sell everything including a range of modern and antique jewelry.

Baptistry (Battistero) - The Interior:One of the oldest buildings in this historical city, this hexagonal building lies in front of the Duomo. The Last Judgment illustrated with 13th century mosaics is breathtakingly beautiful.

Boboli Gardens:Baboli Gardens was opened for general public in 1766. Since then, it has been a favorite tourist spot amongst the travelers and the locals alike. Pass through the courtyard of Palazzo Pitti to enter this beautiful garden that features classic statues, artificial lake and a little island.

Florence stays a hot destination amongst the tourists almost all through the year. Hotels are mostly full and charge quite a high price. Best would be to plan ahead in case of a Florence tour and avail the off season discounts if you`re on a shoestring budget.

Santa Maria Novella:This centrally located district is home to a wide range of accommodation options for travelers with varied budgets. Proximity to the city attractions and the train station makes this area much sought after. The place is dotted with five star hotels like the  Westin Excelsior and the Grand Hotel. The Villa Medici, Bristol and Helvetia are your destinations if your wish you stay near the Piazza della Repubblica. A wide range of two and three star hotels surround the Stazione Santa Maria Novella. These are quite reasonable and comfortable options. The Annabella and Nizza are the other moderately priced affordable options in this district.

San Giovanni (Duomo) & San Marco:Hotel Regency, located in Piazza Massimo D`Azeglio, is a pleasant and comfortable accommodation option near San Marco. A great bunch of four star hotels are scattered throughout the district, including the Grand Hotel Baglioni, renowned for a beautiful view from the terrace. Il Calzaiuoli, housed in the Byzantine Pagliazza tower, is a wonderful option located between Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. Similar options in the area include the Hotel Loggiato dei Serviti and Le Due Fontane.

Novoli:Business travelers to Florence find it comfortable to stay near the airport or the main motorways. Hotel Alexander and Hotel Fleming are some great options in the north of the city.

All national intending to visit Italy must possess a valid passport.

EU nationals do not require a visa to travel to Italy. But they require a permit if they plan to stay for longer than 90 days. The `permit to stay` must be applied for within 8 days of arriving in Italy.

Nationals of other countries who do not require a visa for stay up to 90 days include USA, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

The best time to visit Florence is during the months of March, April, May and June. September until mid November is also quite suitable for travelers. The temperature during this time is mild and the hotel rates are also on the lower side.

April to October is the time when Florence experiences its best weather. Trends show June and August to be the hottest months. However, winters are seen to have milder temperatures with a few spells of rain. November can be a good time to roam around if you get some warm clothes along.

Currency:Italy is one of the 12 members of the European Union. It converted to Euro in 2002.

Traveler`s checks and foreign currencies can be exchanged at all major banks, airports and railway stations.

Traveler`s checks are widely accepted in Florence.

Language:Italian is spoken by close to 58 million people in Italy. However, 5% of Italians also speak French, German and Slovene.

Sign language is also universally spoken and understood in Italy.