Florence

Considered the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is bursting at the seams with breathtaking architecture and sublime works of art. Indeed, the city was a key destination in the aristocratic Grand Tours of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, when young European nobles would buy paintings, antiques and bronze replicas of Florentine sculptures to take home with them.

Today, a stroll through Florence’s medieval streets reveals new treasures at every turn. Florence’s five-star hotels occupy stunning Renaissance palaces with centuries-old frescoes. Once located on the Piazza della Signoria, Michelangelo’s celebrated Statue of David now resides in the Accademia Gallery. Guided tours of both the Accademia and world-famous Uffizi galleries are highly recommended. Florence enjoys a strong artisanal culture, from the goldsmiths lining the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge to leather workshops tucked away down narrow side streets. The eminent Sante Croce School of Leather produces highend one-of-a-kind leather accessories, while award-winning perfumer Lorenzo Villoresi crafts exclusive and bespoke fragrances for his clients. Florence’s top restaurants select artisan farmed fresh Tuscan produce for their gastronomic creations.