Do you feel you could do with some green open space amid Florence’s palazzi and narrow lanes? Head for Le Cascine, a large park right in the centre of the city along the Arno river. Great for a rest in the shade or a picnic, but worth exploring too: this large historic park is dotted with playgrounds, has a swimming
pool at Le Pavoniere that doubles as a cocktail bar after dark, an amphiteatre with a rich concert programme in the summer, and even a hyppodrome. On Tuesday, don’t forget to check out the vast sprawling market.
