Needing a break from work and looking for a new experience, I decided to spend two weeks in Florence studying (elementary!) Italian at the Leonardo Da Vinci language school.

I had attended a similar school in Milan in June and had enjoyed the time so much that I planned to return to Italy at the earliest opportunity. The language school Leonardo da Vinci offers a standard course with a minimum duration of two weeks. Classes typically start at nine and finish at one just in time for a long lunch. The thought of spending a holiday in a school will fill some people with dread but do not be put off. Once the awkwardness of the first day at school is over you begin to relax, make new friends and really make progress with the language. The approach used in the school is complete immersion in Italian. As a native English speaker I found that the sound and meaning of words were quite similar and after a couple of hours had no problem following the discourse. I found the class great fun with the emphasis on speaking the language and interacting with my classmates. Students hail from all corners of the world and are of all age groups, although mostly 18-25 in the standard classes. Accomodation is also organised by the school. For example I stayed in a typical Italian 3 bed apartment about 20 minutes walk from the city centre.

The school in Florence is located only 5 minutes walk from the world famous Duomo or to give the official name the ‘Basilica di Santa Maria di Fiore’. I will never forget walking to school on the first morning, turning a corner and seeing the beautiful marble clad exterior of the duomo. It towers over the warren of narrow streets and renaissance buildings like an ancient skyscraper. The scale of the building is epic with Brunelleschi’s dome the crowning glory. Although not the largest or the tallest cathedral in Europe it is the setting amongst the throng of the city centre that makes this incredible renaissance building so special.

Florence’s renaissance streets and building are mainly intact and is a remarkable example of a renaissance city. The historical centre is quite compact and best done on foot. A simple 15 minute walk would take you from the mayhem of the main train station east to the Piazza del Duomo. Having negotiated the tour groups (especially on a Sunday!) then head south along the shopping area of Via Roma to the Ponte Vecchio. This covered bridge is of course one of the renowned sights of the city and is crowded with both tourists and jewellery shops. Close by is the Uffizi Art gallery which exhibits the most important examples of renaissance art. On the south bank of the River Arno lies the Giardino di Boboli and also the Piazzale Michelangelo. I walked from the Uffizi to this elevated Piazza in 20 minutes but there are many steps and not to be tried in the height of summer. The views overlooking the city are stunning and well worth the climb.

Writing as an Irishman who can only operate between 0 and 30 degrees Celsius , I would recommend going in late September. The weather was just perfect at 25 degrees but watch out for the mosquitoes. They are the most annoying thing about Florence except for the inescapable din of motorscooters.

From a relatively short holiday I experienced a complete change of pace and really enjoyed living and studying in a most fascinating city. I would highly recommend it!