Summer in the city: 5 tips to escape the heat in Florence

Florence is home to many swimming pools where you can find refreshment on the hottest days. For example, the Pavoniere swimming pool in Cascine park hosts activities for children and there's even the possibility of dining by the pool.

Along the Lungarno Moro, on the other hand, you'll find the Bellariva pool, perfect for sunbathing on the lawn, for bathing in peace, and also for taking swimming lessons.

The city is full of magnificent villas and green spaces where you can rest during the summer, all while admiring spectacular views.

Strolling through Villa Bardini, you will discover its Italian-style garden with its wonderful Baroque staircase and the shady English-style forest with its resident squirrels.

The english-style park of Villa il Ventaglio extends over a hill for about five hectares. It opens with a large lawn and a romantic pond and continues uphill with trees and woodland plantations.

Last but not least, Cascine Park on the right hand side bank of the Arno stretches for about 118 hectares and is the largest public park in Florence.

In the fresh air of the musem, feasting our eyes on some of the most beautiful masterpieces in the world is a suggestion that can't be underestimated. No queuing in the sun, just buy your ticket in advance.

Those who visit Florence have a wide range of choices, starting from the Uffizi with works by Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo, Raphael, Caravaggio and many others. Then there's Palazzo Pitti with its Palatine Gallery, created to house the painting collections that belonged to the Medici. Or there's Palazzo Strozzi that hosts exhibitions that go through every historical era, up to the present day.

Enjoying a delicious ice cream is a must. Many people say that fresh and creamy ice cream was born in the Tuscan capital thanks to Bernardo Buontalenti. Whether it's myth or reality, what matters is that here you will surely find some of the best ice cream parlours in Italy.

Fiesole is very close to Florence and it's well-worth heading here for a picnic. The hill-top town of Etruscan origins enjoys a spectacular panoramic position. Cooler and more airy than its "big sister", it acts like a "terrace". Little Fiesole has a great historical and naturalistic heritage and is certainly an excellent destination.

We recommend a visit to the archaeological excavations and the Cathedral of San Romolo, and to finish with a flourish, take a walk to Monte Ceceri, where Leonardo da Vinci conducted his flying experiments.