Florence

Florence is a small city with an enormous reputation. Within a short walk you pass Brunelleschi's giant dome, the Uffizi's treasures, the old bridge lined with goldsmiths and workshops that still make leather and paper by hand. This is where Medici bankers paid for art that changed Europe. Cross the river to the Oltrarno for quieter streets, then climb to a hilltop viewpoint at sunset to see the whole red-roofed city glow.

Talking points

• Florence is compact enough that nearly every major sight is within a twenty-minute walk.
• The Medici family funded much of the art that defines the Renaissance.
• The Oltrarno side of the river is where artisans and local trattorias cluster.
• Tuscan staples to try include bistecca alla fiorentina and schiacciata sandwiches.