Florence

Start in Florence’s compact historic core where art, politics and daily life meet — you’ll get the clearest sense of the city in a few focused stops. Begin by stepping into the fortified elegance of Palazzo Vecchio to trace Medici power and climb for a panoramic view. Walk the square to take in Piazza della Signoria and linger beneath the sculptures of the open-air Loggia dei Lanzi . For Renaissance sculpture and quieter, museum-depth study, reserve time for the treasures at the Museo Nazionale del Bargello . Together these spots form a clear, walkable loop: plan for short queues, take moments to read the plaques, and use the courtyards as calm places to regroup and orient the rest of your day.

If your plan includes the wider region, pick a well-run day tour to maximise time without the logistics stress. For carefully paced small-group itineraries that mix scenic drives with local tasting stops, consider booking with Truescany - Cinque Terre Tour, Tuscany Tours, Wine tours from Florence or the thoughtfully curated options from Walkabout Florence Tours . For full-day explorations that balance medieval towns and vineyard visits, the itineraries from Florence and Tuscany Tours are reliable and story-rich. If you prefer a polished, guide-led experience through hill towns and historic centres, check out Caf Tour & Travel - Headquarter . These operators handle transport, timing and wine stops so you can focus on photos and the history.

Get around Florence with movement and flavour: these options pair local insight with a sense of pace. For easy city coverage and family-friendly outings, the guided routes from Fat Tire Tours - Florence let you see more without tiring your feet. If you want the cinematic countryside experience, the classic Vespa Tour Florence offers confident guides, photo stops and a relaxed finish at a vineyard or trattoria. To combine short urban routes with hillside tastings, book one of the small-group tastings from Florence Wine Tours . For compact tours that skip long walks, Exploring Tuscany runs golf-cart and tuk-tuk options that are ideal for mixed-ability groups.

For quick, genuine food and light-hearted stops that suit any pace, lean on reliable neighbourhood picks and compact, interactive museums. When you want an iconic Florentine sandwich and a no-frills queue that’s worth it, make time for I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti and enjoy your food sitting by the river or in a nearby square. For a sit-down evening with confident cooking and warm service, book a table at Osteria del Corso . If you’re travelling with kids or need a low-stress indoor option, the hands-on exhibits at Museo delle illusioni Firenze / Museum of illusions Florence offer playful photo opportunities and short visits that refresh a busy sightseeing day.