Florence - one of the most beautiful cities in the world

Learning a new language is important in this competitive age where it seems that everyone seem to be better qualified than you by obtaining an additional language, doors will be open far more easily for you.

You may decide that it's English, French, German or Italian that you want to study abroad, an exciting decision but how do you choose where to go? The best option would be to do to a country that offer excellent teaching in all of these languages, a safe friendly environment and a fantastic location. Where else but one of the most cultured and inspiring cities - Florence - am special place that has managed to preserves some of the greatest works of art and the most buildings in the world.

In Florence, there is something for everyone, with its numerous bars, restaurants, clubs and shops. A typical evening could be to start with a passeggiattam, perhaps along the riverside or a stroll around Piazzale Michelangelo to take in the overwhelming view of the city below. Then off to a restaurant. Typical Florentine restaurants offer wonderful, simple but robust food served on either simple wooden tables or white lines tablecloths depending on how much coffee, almost compulsory as it is so god, is normally drunk in a bar whilst continuing the conversation had over dinner.

With only 380,000 inhabitants, Florence remains a small city a quality appreciated by both its visitors and residents. The town in the city has been remarkably well preserved and the low hills which surround it have retained its famous Tuscan landscape with vineyards and olive groves dotted around.

Charles Dickens was overwhelms by the view: "Oh! How much beauty, when on a fair, clear morning, we look from the summit of a hill, on Florence! See where it lies before is an a sunlighted valley, bright with the winding Arno, and shut in by swelling hills its domes and towers, and palaces, rising from the rich country in a glittering heap and shining in the sun like gold".

Florence is incredibly hot during the summer months and could be fair to describe it as somewhat of a 'ghost town' in August as most Florentines flee to the coast - only a couple hours drive away. Some language centres, such as the British Institute of Florence actually offer summer schools.

The British Institute has been established for over 80 years teaching English and Italian in the heart of Florence. It offers beginners, intermediate, advanced and special package courses throughout the year as well as running a course in August at the beautiful seaside village of Massa Marittima. At Massa, not only can learn Italian language and culture and take in the sun and sea but you can lean particularly about opera festival taking place there every year. During the last week of August the course is moved back to Florence when it has been cooler.

Other Italians have been known to characterise the Florentines as miserly and unfriendly but most visitors today will wonder where the reputation came from. They are actually demonstrative than Romans or Southern Italians, however they are particularly friendly and welcoming especially those who attempt to communicate in Italian and they show great affection to those who appreciate the beauty of their city.

The wonderful quality about Florence is that it is rich in culture yet unpretentious. Many people come to Florence intending to stay for only a short while and then find they never want to leave.

Contributed by: The British Institute if Florence