Sightseeing in Florence is easy: everything that you'll want to see is concentrated in the relatively small historic center of the city. But there is so much packed into the area that you may find yourself slogging from one mind-boggling sight to another and feeling overwhelmed. If you are not an inveterate museum enthusiast, take it easy. Don't try to absorb every painting or fresco that comes into view. There's second-rate art even in the Galleria degli Uffizi and the Palazzo Pitti (especially the Pitti), so find some favorites and enjoy them at your leisure.

Walking through the streets and alleyways in Florence is a discovery in itself, but to save time and energy, make use of the efficient bus system. Buses also provide the least-fatiguing way to reach Piazzale Michelangelo, San Miniato, and the Forte di Belvedere. It's easy to make excursions to, say, Fiesole or the Medici villas by city bus. Most churches are open from 8 or 9 until noon or 12:30 and from 3 or 4 until about 6. The Duomo has continuous hours.

During the 12th and 13th centuries, Florence, like most other Italian towns, was a forest of towers -- more than 200 of them, if the smaller three- and four-story towers are included. Today only a handful survive, but if you look closely you'll find them as you explore the centro storico.