FLR · Italy
The cradle of the Renaissance, with Michelangelo's David and the Duomo's red dome.
Florence was the centre of the Italian Renaissance, and its compact historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is packed with art. Brunelleschi's red brick dome crowns the cathedral, and you can climb its 463 steps for views across the rooftops.
The Uffizi Gallery holds works by Botticelli, Leonardo and Raphael, and Michelangelo's David stands in the Accademia; book both ahead in busy months. The Ponte Vecchio, lined with goldsmiths' shops, crosses the Arno, and Piazzale Michelangelo gives the classic view of the city at sunset.
The Chianti wine country starts just south of the city, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa is about an hour away by train.
