The Cradle of the Renaissance — Art, Wine, and Tuscan Beauty
Florence is the birthplace of the Renaissance — a compact, walkable city of extraordinary density where Michelangelo's David, Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Brunelleschi's Duomo, and Ghiberti's Gates of Paradise all sit within a 20-minute stroll of each other. The capital of Tuscany manages to be simultaneously one of the world's great art cities and one of Italy's greatest food destinations, with bistecca alla Fiorentina, hand-rolled pappardelle, truffles, and Chianti Classico wines all originating in this golden corner of central Italy.
Best time to visit: April to June and September to October offer ideal weather and manageable crowds. July and August are very hot (35°C+) and extremely crowded — the Uffizi line can be 3+ hours without advance tickets. Christmas through February offers quiet, cold Florence with excellent hotel deals.
Currency: Euro (€) · Language: Italian · Average daily budget: $90–
60/day