There is no shortage of things to say about Florence. The Tuscan capital has been nicknamed "the cradle of the Renaissance", the "Athens of the Middle Ages", and with good reason. The most populous city in the region birthed many influential minds, such as Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio, Machiavelli and Guicciardini. It is not only the birthplace of the Renaissance, but also of the modern Italian language which is based on the Florentine dialect.

One of the wealthiest cities in the Middle Ages, Florence continues to be an economic and industrial center. It is also one of Italy's most visited tourist centers, which means if you prepare yourself mentally to see large numbers of international visitors during your visit, you're going to enjoy it a lot more than if you don't. The historic center was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, housing the renowned Galleria Uffizi and the Palazzo Pitti. Don't miss the Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiore; built by Filippo Brunelleschi, it is the largest dome built in brick and mortar in the world.

Florence, quite frankly, has something for everybody; architecture buffs can feast their eyes on the predominantly renaissance architecture with traces of medieval, Baroque, Neoclassical and modern; fashionistas will be blown away by the creative array of luxury objects in the city that has been named one of the top 15 fashion capitals of the world; nature lovers can enjoy its many parks and gardens, and if sitting down to grab a drink is more your speed, stop by to enjoy one at Giubbe Rosse, a notorious meeting place for artists of eras past, most notably the Futurists; of course, you cannot stop by Florence without tasting its culinary delights – with the region of Chianti being just south of the city, try a Tuscan red or eat the famous Florentine Steak made from prestigious Chianina beef.