Florence (Firenze) is the regional capital of Tuscany, in the centre of Italy. Surrounded by hills of cypress trees, olive groves, and vineyards, Italy’s “City of Stone” is easy to adore, from its famous Tuscan wines to the gold buildings and terracotta roofs that dominate the city’s landscape. Florence is situated on the river Arno, which is spanned by the famous Ponte Vecchio, the only of Florence's bridges not destroyed during the Second World War.

A center of medieval European trade and finance, the city was long ruled by the Medici family and is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. In this fine tradition, Florence is famous for its magnificent art and architecture. While in town, visits to Galleria dell’ Accademia, home to Michelangelo’s statue of David, Gallerie degli Uffizi, and Brunelleschi's dome on the Duomo are mandatory. But there’s much more to do in Firenze, like hiking up to Piazza Michelangelo, exploring nearby villages, or bargain shopping at the famed leather market.

Florence has a warm temperate continental climate, with hot dry summers, and cool damp winters. CHI 2008 attendees can expect relatively pleasant temperatures ranging in the 50-60s Fahrenheit (10-20 degrees Celsius) during the conference.

For more information, see:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence
wikitravel.org/en/Florence