Florence

Florence rewards advance viewing because its art scene, architecture and compact old centre can crowd a first itinerary with more than a checklist. The city’s museums and church-lined streets are best approached by choosing a few themes: Renaissance painting, civic power, or the way cafés and piazzas punctuate long days on foot. For travelers planning a trip, Florence and Rick Steves' Europe make a useful travel film pairing in Florence: Heart of the Renaissance. Florence’s museum scene and architecture give the film a practical value for trip-planning, helping viewers decide whether to base a day around galleries, river walks or quieter pauses between major sights.