Choosing one`s holiday destination according to the calendar of the various marathons that take place in the world: that is the last frontier of sports tourism, which is becoming increasingly popular among runners.

And Florence is one of the main stops of this journey that sometimes may last one whole year.

In fact, every twelve months along the river Arno takes place the Florence Marathon.

The fast course among the palaces and the apartments of Florence starts from Piazzale Michelangelo, passes through Campo di Marte and the viali di circonvallazione and finishes in the historic centre, in the shade of the Basilica of Santa Croce, which Ugo Foscolo defined the "tempio dell`Itale glorie" (the temple of Italian celebrities).

This beautiful race is considered the second most important Italian marathon after that of Rome, and one of the twenty most important marathons in the world. In the last few years it has attracted more than 10,000 runners, almost 3,000 of which coming from abroad.

The whole city of Florence is involved in the various collateral tourist and sports events that take place in the days before the race, including conferences, stands, face to face meetings with professional athletes and special events for kids.

The Florence Marathon can therefore turn out to be an opportunity to spend a weekend or a whole week in an apartment in one of the five districts of Florence.

Good luck for the race and... may the best win!