Stop 1: Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore - the Duomo

Climb into Brunelleschi's Dome or up Giotto's Bell Tower for a picturesque view of the City - tickets can be purchased in advance online (recommended) or at the Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore.

Stop 2: Palazzo Pitti and Giardino di Boboli

Venture across the Ponte Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti, once home to the powerful Medici family. Venture inside to observe the Imperial and Royal Apartments and the Palatine Chapel - tickets can be purchased in advance online (recommended) or at the Palazzo Pitti ticket office.

Then, stroll through the 110-acre Italian garden situated directly behind the palazzo populated with ancient and Renaissance statues, grottos, and fountains - tickets can be purchased in advance online (recommended) or at the Palazzo Pitti ticket office.

Stop 3: Piazzale Michelangelo

Take a leisurely walk (25 minutes) up to Piazzale Michelangelo for a sunset view overlooking the city. Stop at a supermarket or local deli and pick up some bread, cheese, and a bottle of wine and have a light dinner sitting in the Rose Garden, situated just under Piazzale Michelangelo.

Cibrèo Caffè, Aperitivo or Dinner, $$, 27 min. walk

La Capannina Bistrot, Lunch or Dinner, $, 15 min. walk

Procacci, Aperitivo, $$, 12 min. walk

Sesto on Arno Rooftop Bar, Aperitivo, $$$$, 7 min. walk

Osteria delle Tre Panche, Dinner, $$$, 16 min. walk

Caffè dell'Oro, Aperitivo or Dinner, $$$, 15 min. walk

Café Pasticceria Gamberini, Lunch, $$, 2 min. walk

L'Osteria Cucina Casalinga, Lunch or Dinner, $$, 22 min. walk

Gusta Pizza, Lunch or Dinner, $$, 17 min. walk

Gelateria dei Neri, Gelato, $, 22 min. walk

Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato, Gelato, $$, 16 min. walk

Piazzale Michelangelo / Public Rose Garden, Point of Interest, 37 min. walk

Piazza del Duomo, Landmark, 17 min. walk

Galleria dell'Accademia, Art Museum, 22 min. walk

Boboli Gardens, Gardens...duh, 19 min. walk

Basilica de Santa Croce, Landmark, 22 min. walk

Gallerie Degli Uffizi, Art Museum, 18 min. walk

Ponte Vecchio, Landmark, 16 min. walk

Leonardo Interactive Museum, Art Museum, 21 min. walk

Mercato Centrale, Landmark, 16 min. walk

Fiesole - Climb into the hills surrounding Florence for the perfect birds-eye view of the city in the Etruscan town of Fiesole. Make sure to walk up what may be the steepest road ever to the Convent San Francesco for the best views. Can be reached by bus from Florence in 20 minutes.

Bologna - One of the best food cities in Italy, Bologna is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of Florence, but still captures that Italian charm and history. Walk among the academics at the Universita di Bologna, the oldest university in the Western world. Can be reached by train from Florence in 35 minutes.

Pisa and Lucca - Snap your photo with the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa and then hop back on the train to get to Lucca. Stretch your legs by walking or biking the city's historic walls that encase the city constructed during the Renaissance as a defense mechanism. Can be reached by train from Florence in 1 hour.

Siena - One of the best examples of an Italian hill-town, Siena is popular for its narrow cobbled streets that wind between Gothic churches, imposing palaces, soaring medieval towers, and its characteristic red clay brick houses. Can be reached by train from Florence in 1 hour and 15 minutes.