There are many reasons to visit Florence in Tuscany. Villas offer a superb self-catering break and there are many attractions worthy of your attention. It is best to ensure you put the famous landmarks high up on your list when you visit the city; that way you will be sure not to miss any of the sights that Florence is famous for. Look forward to witnessing some €" if not all - of the following sights in Florence, Tuscany. Villas can be booked near to the city so you don't have far to travel to reach Florence itself.

Visit the Palazzo Vecchio

The Palazzo Vecchio is an impressive and commanding sight in Florence. It is a town hall but it is often referred to as a fortress. You will find it in the Piazza della Signoria, and indeed it was once given the name of the Palazzo della Signoria. It was built in the 1300s and it has long been an important and famous sight in Florence. Note the clock tower that rises out of it, extending high into the sky over the rest of the building.

Visit the Santa Maria del Fiore

Translating into the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower, Santa Maria del Fiore is an impressive structure by day and by night, when it is lit to achieve a dramatic effect. The basilica has been granted UNESCO World Heritage Site status along with much of the rest of Florence, owing to its history and importance. The dome is made from brick and is the largest one of its type anywhere in the world.

Grab lunch in the Piazza della Repubblica

As you may imagine, a visit to Florence can be a tiring if exhilarating experience. So what better place to relax and rejuvenate than in the Piazza della Repubblica, where you can grab a coffee and perhaps a pastry from one of the cafes there? When you stay in Tuscany, villas offer the opportunity to make your own arrangements as far as food is concerned; but here you can skip breakfast one morning and head to the Piazza instead, to reward yourself with a tasty breakfast or snack while you watch passersby go about their business. You can also appreciate the porticos and a triumphal arch on the western side of the Piazza.

Head up the stairs of the Campanile

Many people like active holidays in Tuscany. Villas give you a degree of freedom from which to plan walks and excursions according to your own needs. But if you are heading into Florence you will have the opportunity to walk up no less than 414 stairs to reach the top of the Campanile. You won't have the alternative of a lift, but the effort is worth it if you take your time. Once you reach the top you can see out over all of Florence itself. Make sure you rest before heading back down again €" and don't forget your camera!