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Florence
Culture
Gastronomy
Shopping
Take a journey back in time to the birth of the renaissance
Discover the historical hangouts of the Medici and “collect” the works of Michelangelo, Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci. Florence has the greatest concentration of works of art of any city in the world. Spend hours each day in the museums, monuments and churches found throughout the city, cross the Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Santa Trinita bridges and be amazed by the ever-present beauty of the Duomo.
Then return to the present day and discover the city’s cuisine and fashion.
Make the most of your time in Florence to get to know the best of Italy and of Tuscany, because to live is to learn. Try traditional local food and enjoy the many fine wines, as you sit outside the cafes and restaurants in any one of the city’s fine piazzas. Be inspired by a modernity that is rich in history and don’t forget to stroll along Via de Tornabuoni street and discover the best of Italian fashion in a city that has been one of the world’s leading fashion centers since the 19th century.
Culture and Business
Before leaving
Make sure you have your identity card or passport and boarding pass with you. Depending on your country of origin, take care of your visa or other necessary documentation ahead of time.
Climate
The climate is generally of the Mediterranean type, with hot, dry summers and cold, rainy winters.
Geography & politics
Italy is a unitary parliamentary republic located in south-central Europe, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. Besides the peninsula, it also includes the islands of Sicily and Sardinia, as well as several other smaller islands. Italy is a member of the European Union.
Tipping & paying
Italy is part of the Euro zone, so the currency is the Euro (EUR). It is not common to tip in restaurants, as the bill already has a service charge added to the total. Nevertheless, if you are satisfied with the service you are welcome to leave some extra change.
Languages & useful phrases
Italian is the official language of the country. In Italian, "ciao" = hello; "per favore" = please; "Grazie mille" = thank you very much; “Prego” = don’t mention it, or it can be used as a colloquial expression for "with your permission" or "please“.
First impressions
When meeting someone in a business context, greet them with a handshake. In social situations, it is normal to give two kisses on the cheeks—but between men, continue with a handshake. If you are invited to someone's house, take a bouquet of flowers or a bottle of high quality wine.
Time zone
GMT + 1
What to wear
Being Italy one of the great fashion centres of Europe, try to find the balance between an elegant and conservative style. Make a good impression with a formal look for meetings, with a suit and tie for men and a suit or dress for women.
What you shouldn’t do
Don’t be intimidated by the proximity of the Italians. They have very strong body language and use it to communicate.
What you should do
Establishing a relationship of trust and respect is essential. Like most peoples in southern Europe, relationships are extremely important to the Italians.