GOT 48 hours to explore Ferrara, the picturesque Italian town famed for its Renaissance art and bicycle-peddling natives?

Reuters correspondents with local knowledge tell you how to get the most out of a weekend getaway to this hidden gem off Italy's well-worn tourist track.

Yet to be invaded by the armies of tourists that flock to better-known neighbours like Venice or Florence, Ferrara retains much of its medieval charm that makes wandering through its cobble-stoned piazzas and streets feel like a trip back in time.

But an increasingly vibrant nightlife, rich local cuisine and an annual buskers festival that attracts street performers from around the globe mean the once sleepy town is quickly carving a place for itself on the tourist map.

Photograph: stock.Xchng