Car hire in Florence is one of the best ways to get out and see more of Tuscany, as many of its beautiful areas aren't served by public transport. Autostrade – such as Tuscany's A1 – are toll roads, while there's also an extensive network of state and regional roads to help you get around.

South of Florence, the SR222 (Via Chiantigiana) is a popular and scenic drive that winds through wine country, peppered with picture postcard towns full of rustic restaurants and cafes. Heading east on the SS67, meanwhile, will lead you through the Casentino Valley to Arezzo, taking in chapels, bridges and ancient abbeys.

You also find that many other major Italian cities are within reach for day trips. Bologna is around an hour and a half’s drive away by car to the northeast, while Pisa is just over an hour’s drive to the west.

If you’re planning on driving around Florence itself, the centre is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and this protected status has led to it having a Zona a Traffico Limitato or Limited Traffic Zone. To drive in it you'll need a special permit.

The only day you can drive into the ZTL is on a Sunday but parking here can be difficult. If your hotel is in the ZTL area, you need to let the hotel know your vehicle details in advance so they can in turn let the authorities know so that you'll be able to access the area without a fine.

Michelangelo's 'David', Botticelli's 'The Birth of Venus', and the terracotta-tiled Duomo that looks like it's made of gingerbread - the Renaissance gave Florence incredible art and architecture, but there is more to this enchanting city than looking to the past.

The forgotten quarter

Buck the trend (and avoid the major crowds of tourists) by starting your visit to Florence in the Oltrarno district. While steeped in history – there are surviving parts of the medieval fort that once stood here, and squares dating back to the 14th century – this is an area that has recently been revived.

Filled with artisan workshops and a place where jewellery and ceramics were expertly crafted, it now also boasts boutique hotels and destination restaurants such as pizza place Berbere. The speck, gorgonzola, walnuts and acacia honey pizza makes a real change from the more traditional Margherita.

The big tickets

It would be strange to visit Florence without immersing yourself in the stunning art and eminently photographic buildings. The cathedral, Il Duomo, was started in the 13th century with Brunelleschi's dome added in the 15th century. For those who can brave heights, and some cramped corridors, a climb to the top of the cupola is worth it to see the dome up close.

The 13th century Basilica of Santa Croce is another feast for the eyes whose history spans many centuries. It hosts a relief by Donatello, Giotto frescoes and is where Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Galileo and Rossini are buried.

Bridge over troubled water

The Ponte Vecchio Bridge which spans the Arno River is famed for the shops that line it. These have evolved over the years from butchers to souvenir sellers, but there is still a real character to this storied bridge.

Attack the arts

Florence is a fantastic place to tick off some of the greatest artworks in history from your checklist. Gaze at Michelangelo's 'David' at the Accademia, while a visit to the Uffizi Gallery is almost overwhelming in its riches. Here you'll see Botticelli, Titian, Rembrandt, Caravaggio and Leonardo da Vinci masterpieces.

Florence for foodies

One of the joys of visiting Italy is tasting the different cuisines in the 20 different regions. Tuscany has its own unique culinary heritage and Florence is famed for its 'cucina povera', a form of cooking that takes pride in elevating humble ingredients through care and attention.

Beans, bread and good olive oil are to the fore, while a fresh panzanella salad is the best use of stale bread you'll ever taste. Florence is home to both traditional and modern restaurants, pizzerias and gelaterias, and your palate will thank you for wandering away from the main tourist traps.

Florence is a timeless city whose appeal is obvious and rewarding. Car hire will let you see what lies beyond this sparkling Italian jewel.