Why now?

Cut this out and, having booked a surprise weekend visit, place in an envelope under the tree - and earn top Brownie points. The city of Leonardo da Vinci promises snuggly New Year romance mingled with festivals of music and food. Forget your resolutions and gorge on the wares of the finest Italian producers at the Chocolate Fair (22-25 Jan, fieradelcioccolato.it/eng) in the medieval square next to Vasari's tomb of Michelangelo. Or party at the colourful Worldwide Florentine Carnival pictured below, on 3 Feb (invernoafirenze.it/eng-programma.asp).

Getting there

Meridiana (meridiana.it) flies Gatwick-Florence.

Where to stay

Among the chandeliers, bold silks and eclectic design of N4U Guesthouse (0039 05505 15147, n4uguesthouse.it). One minute's walk from the Uffizi, the creatively revamped 14th-century palazzo has doubles from €100.

Where to eat

Try Cibreino (+055 234 1100, Via de Macci, 122) for a modern take on traditional Tuscan food with excellent antipasti.