The gem of this town is of course the Town Hall Square, or Piazza del Comune: the cathedral, the comune and the battistero are all located there, and I think it's one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, even if it's not famous.

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Santo Spirito, as i think a few have pointed out, gives you a welcome breather from the tourists yet it can only be a hundred yards from the Ponte Vechhio.

It is popular with students and with the locals (nearby are some delis and whatnot so you actually see Florentines) and comes to life after nine or so in the evening.

At the top of the square is Brunelleschi’s spectacular church - as well as having a crucifix by a very young Michelangelo, it was studied and admired by many including Da Vinci and it is easy to see why. It is especially pretty when the facade is lit at night.

There are a few restaurants and a couple of bars in the square, the type of spots where, if you drink too many amerettos, they give you a tequilla on the house - the atmosphere is friendly at all of them.

Istayed at Antica Dimora with a friend but it would be especially nice to go there romantically - ask for a room with a little balcony. You can watch (and listen!) to the market being set up in the morning. The rooms are huge with lovely wooden beams and, maybe vaguely kitsch decor but it feels like you’ve been to Firenze! It’s a short back street walk to the wonderful, wonderful Bobili gardens too.

piazza santo spirito no.9
t. +39 055 2658376
50125 Firenze

www.residenzasspirito.com

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There is nothing better in Havana than sitting in the Cathedral Square. There's a fabulous cafe with white umbrellas. Drink the mojitos and enjoy watching the world go by. It's one of the best views in the city.

In front of the old cathedral in central Havana

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The first place to head for a pre-match drink is the square around Hakescher Markt S-Bahn stop. When the weather's fine everyone sits outside and enjoys a quiet drink amid the hustle and bustle of the city's old Jewish quarter... more like being in Paris or Milan than Germany!

Just outside Hackescher Markt S-Bahnhof

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Old square in the Marais district . Stylish cafes, restaurants and shops (lèche vitrine!).

Marais 1 arrondissement

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Attractive square for drinking and eating in the sun. But when we were there (July 2005), the venue for what seemed like the All-German scaffold throwing championships, as some sort of event was packed away.

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Funky out-sized statues of founding fathers of Communism, looking very much like you favourite uncles when you've done something of which they're very proud, but they don't want all the praise going to your head. I defy you to see them and not want to stroke them. Surrounded by brushed metal pillars with black-and-white photos of suitably rallying Communist incidents. Gorgeous in the winter when there's snow on the ground.

Between Alexanderplatz and the Palast der Republik

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