Begin the day early with cornetto (Italian croissant, often filled with cream or jam) and cappuccino, a classic Italian breakfast.

Climb to the top of the dome of Florence Cathedral (Duomo) for panoramic views over Florence’s terracotta rooftop. The dome also offers an immersive architectural experience.

Continue to the interior of Florence Cathedral (Duomo), where the vast scale and frescoed dome convey the grandeur of Renaissance Florence. Visit the nearby Baptistery of St. John, renowned for its glittering mosaic ceiling and bronze doors.

Optional add-on: Visit the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo to see original sculptures and artworks from the cathedral complex, offering deeper insight into the craftsmanship and history behind the monuments.

Explore the Uffizi Gallery, home to an extensive collection of Italian Renaissance art, including works by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, as well as other master painters.

Pause for gelato and stroll through Piazza della Signoria, the historic political heart of the city, where sculptures in the open-air Loggia dei Lanzi create a museum-like setting.

Pass by Loggia del Mercato Nuovo to give the famed boar statue a rub on the nose and a coin in the mouth for good luck.

Optional add-on: Enjoy an aperitivo at the rooftop of Rinascente Firenze, where views over the Duomo combine with drinks and light bites for a refined early evening experience.

Have dinner featuring local specialties, such as bistecca alla Fiorentina (grilled T-bone steak served rare), ribollita (stew of kale, beans, and bread), or pappardelle al cinghiale (wide noodles with a boar ragu), showcasing the rich flavors of Tuscan cuisine.

End the evening with gelato at Piazza della Repubblica, a lively square that provides a vibrant and atmospheric setting to conclude the day.

Start the day at Galleria dell'Accademia, renowned for Michelangelo’s David. Then browse the San Lorenzo Market, known for its leather stalls and wide selection of bags, jackets, and accessories, making it a central hub for shopping.

Have lunch at Mercato Central with its lively food hall offering opportunities to sample regional specialties in a bustling, authentic setting.

Then visit the Scuola del Cuoio, where traditional leather craftsmanship is demonstrated and high-quality handmade goods reflect Florence’s long-standing design heritage.

Continue on to Basilica of Santa Croce, known as the burial place of notable figures like Michelangelo and Galileo, and admired for its frescoes and historical significance. Make sure to see the Pazzi Chapel, with its unique geometric design incorporating squares and circles.

Requirements for respectful/modest attire apply at churches and other religious sites. Visitors should avoid disrupting religious observances and remain mindful of posted customs.

Optional add-on: Visit Casa Buonarroti, a museum dedicated to Michelangelo’s early works and family history.

Walk across Ponte Vecchio and browse the nearby jewelry stores and small artisan workshops that reflect Florence’s goldsmithing heritage.

After dinner, take an evening walk along the Arno River, where the city lights reflect off of the water, creating a serene atmosphere.

Start the day with budini di riso (custard and rice tart) or bombolini (fried filled donut), before heading to the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels, which together showcase the Medici family’s influence through architecture, sculpture, and lavish tombs designed by Michelangelo. Requirements for respectful/modest attire apply at churches and other religious sites. Visitors should avoid disrupting religious observances and remain mindful of posted customs.

Enjoy a snack of schiacciata (Tuscan flatbread sandwiches), a flavorful local specialty perfect for a quick meal.

Visit the Palazzo Pitti, including the Palatine Gallery, where richly decorated rooms and extensive art collections reflect the opulence of the Medici court.

Optional add-on: Explore the Boboli Gardens, a vast formal garden offering sculptures, fountains, and scenic views that showcase Renaissance landscape design.

Explore the Oltrarno district, Florence’s artisan quarter, known for traditional crafts such as marbled paper, bookbinding, leatherwork, and cornici (traditional gilded frames.

Stop at a wine window, such as the one at Babae, a historic way to enjoy a quick glass of wine served through a small street-facing opening. Enjoy dinner in the Oltrarno and end the evening with a wine tasting at a local enoteca (wine bar).

Visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Novella, known for its stunning façade and historic fresco. Requirements for respectful/modest attire apply at churches and other religious sites. Visitors should avoid disrupting religious observances and remain mindful of posted customs.

Optional add-on: Stop at Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, a historic shop offering perfumes, soaps, and herbal remedies rooted in centuries-old traditions.

Visit Cenacolo di Sant'Apollonia to contemplate frescoed scenes, including the Last Supper.

Visit the Bargello Museum, renowned for its collection of Renaissance sculpture, including works by Donatello and Michelangelo.

Visit Palazzo Vecchio, the historic seat of Florence’s government, which houses an extensive collection of Renaissance art and offers insight into the life and influence of the Medici family.

Optional add-on: Visit San Miniato al Monte, a hilltop church known for its intricate architecture and serene atmosphere.

Head to Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset with its sweeping views over the Arno River and the city’s skyline.

Travel to Pisa and visit Piazza dei Miracoli, home to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, known for its iconic tilt and elegant arcaded structure; the Pisa Cathedral, a defining example of Romanesque architecture with a striking marble façade; and the Battisero di San Giovanni, notable for its circular form and blend of Romanesque and Gothic styles.

Requirements for respectful/modest attire apply at churches and other religious sites. Visitors should avoid disrupting religious observances and remain mindful of posted customs.

Optional add-on: Walk through Piazza dei Cavalieri, a refined Renaissance square lined with historic palaces, then continue to the Lungarni di Pisa for a stroll with a stop at Santa Maria della Spina, a small Gothic church set along the river.

Travel to Lucca and visit Duomo di San Martino, known for its richly decorated façade and artworks. Stroll along Via Fillungo, the city’s main commercial street lined with historic buildings, on the way to take a café break at Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, a unique oval piazza built on the site of a Roman amphitheater.

Optional add-on: Climb Guinigi Tower, famous for the trees growing on its rooftop.

Rent a bike for a sunset ride along the Mura di Lucca, offering a scenic way to experience the city, before returning to Florence.

Head to Fiesole and begin at Piazza Mino, a medieval square lined with cafés. Visit Fiesole Cathedral, a Romanesque church housing sacred art. Requirements for respectful/modest attire apply at churches and other religious sites. Visitors should avoid disrupting religious observances and remain mindful of posted customs.

Continue on to Teatro Romano, a well-preserved open-air theatre in a larger archaeological area that also includes Roman baths and an Etruscan temple.

Visit the Convent di San Francesco, a Franciscan monastery that offers views over Florence and the Arno valley. Conclude the afternoon with an olive grove tour and olive oil tasting, such as that offered at Fattoria di Maiano, sampling oils produced from the centuries-old groves that still define the hills and agricultural identity of the Fiesole countryside.

Head back to Florence for sunset at Ponte Santa Trinita with its views of the Arno River and Ponte Vecchio. Then attend a musical performance at St. Mark's Anglican Church.

For a more formal experience, attend an opera at Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino.