A living gallery dedicated to the era that it helped to fuel, Florence embodies the European Renaissance in every aspect, from the Duomo’s ochre dome to the elegant palazzos to the storied collections hanging in the city’s many museums and galleries. At the Bargello, Uffizi, and Accademia, you can spend days inside their grand halls, exploring works by artists who were the superstars of their day (and ours): Michelangelo, Botticelli, Da Vinci, Titian, and more. Outside, you can admire the same genius at work in the churches, palaces, and piazzi. If you’re interested in food, Florence is a great place to sample all of Tuscany’s renowned cuisine, at eateries or through a cooking class. It’s also a good base from which to explore the vineyard-laced Tuscan countryside.
