Located in the heart of Tuscany, Florence (Firenze in Italian) is alive year-round with locals and tourists taking in all the beautiful city has to offer. Anyone who has been will tell you how great of a city it truly is. The mild climate invites you to walk around the city, but public buses are available for the occasional rainy afternoon. Affordable trains will quickly take you to the nearby cities of Pisa, Venice, Milan, and Rome to further explore the amazing country of Italy. Although Florence is one of the most popular Italian destinations, the city itself is manageable in size, with so much to offer!
Florence is an art-lover’s dream! Visits to the Galleria dell’Accademia—home to Michelangelo’s David—the Gallerie degli Uffizi, and the Duomo are a must. Art is a great way to experience the culture and history of this wonderful city. The view from the Ponte Vecchio (not to mention the fabulous market there) will make you want to stay forever. 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. But many will say that the best thing to do in Florence is just walk around and get lost: this is how you find the hidden gems not mentioned in any guidebook.