Destination: Italy - at Last I Can See What Dougal Saw in Florence . . .; Ah, Tuscany, Where Art Is Love and Love Is an Art. CATE WILSON Is Entranced by Florence, the Heart of Italy's Most Romantic Region

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Byline: CATE WILSON

Tuscany is renowned for its artistic history and breathtaking landscapes, and no city better encapsulates this rare mix of culture and natural beauty than Florence.

Florence makes an ideal location for those with an appetite for culture and sophistication. The city, nestling on the plains of the stunning Arno Valley, probably boasts more history per square kilometre than any other place in Europe, while its compactness as a tourist destination makes it relatively easy to explore on foot.

The city, home of the Medici dynasty, has long proven a powerful draw for legions of British visitors. From the aristocrats of the 19th Century who took in a visit to Florence as part of their Grand Tour of Europe to the thousands of ordinary tourists who have made the city a firm favourite for …