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Florence empties out after the Christmas and New Year holidays, making this one of the best periods to visit. In January, biannual menswear trade fair Pitti Uomo (pittimmagine.com) transforms the city’s streets into a catwalk. Direct flights from the UK with Vueling (vueling.com) and BA (ba.com).

Piazza della Signoria (4) is where Girolamo Savonarola famously lit his Bonfire of the Vanities in 1497. From here wander over the Ponte Vecchio (5) before bearing right to explore the bohochic neighbourhood of Santo Spirito (6).