Ranked high on the "Must-See Destinations" list is Florence, Italy. 

Deemed one of the most walkable cities, Florene Italy is a feast for the mind as well as the senses.  It is home to some of the world's greatest architecture masterpieces as well as masterpieces in Renaissance art.  Many famous people have called Florence, Italy home.  Among those are Cenni Di Peppo, Dante Alighieri, Filippo Brunelleschi, Galileo, Giotto, Giovanni Boccaccio, Leonardo Da Vinci, Mackiavelli, the Medici family, and Michelangelo Buonarroti.  Under the Medici family, Florence became the European financial power in the 1400s during the Middle Ages.  The Medici family left a legacy of art.

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A shopper's paradise.  There are many well known shops in Florence where you can spot the rich and famous mingling among the tourists.  

The reason for its popularity you ask?  It is the birthplace of fashion houses such a Emilio Pucci, Ermanno Scervino, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, and Salvatore Ferragamo with more up and coming.  To purchase men's and women's fashion from Italian designers, then Luisa Via Roma is the the shop for you.  Looking for high-quality gloves?  There is the a glove factory that has been in business since 1919.  The Donnini family has been making gloves at the Madova Glove Factory since its inception.  It is the only Madova shop in Europe and is still run by the family.  It sells strictly gloves made of quality leather, Nappa leather.  Nappa Leather is noted for its soft texture and is the "cashmere" of the leather industry.  There is La Rinascente which is Italy's version of Harrod's.  This unique shopping experience is six floors of quality items from ready-to-wear apparel to high-fashion as well as housewares, specialty foods, accessories, and beauty supplies.  Shopping for shoes and clothes?  Go to Raspini.  You can shop the original location from 1948 on Via Martelli.  With beautiful views of the Duomo and the Giotto bell tower, you can shop the clothing collection for both men and women as well as the brand's renowned shoe line.  Looking for a discount?  Visit Raspini Vintage located on Via Calimaruzza for last season's discounted stock.  Or perhaps an open-air mall best suits you.  Set in the Tuscany countryside, the open-air mall is home to renowned brands such as Burberry, Givenchy, Gucci, Stell McCartney, Valentino plus many more at reduced prices.

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Make your trip to Florence even more unforgettable by taking an excursion.  Some of the "must see" excursions are:  

• The Piazza Del Duomo, also known as the Cathedral Square, located in the historic center where you can see the Florence Cathedral, the gothic style Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral, or visit the Museo dell' Operal del Duomo (Opera Del Duomo Museum) where you can find great masterpieces such as Michelangelo or Donnatello.

• Cupola Duomo, not for those suffering from claustrophobia, while physically challenging climbing the 463 stairs to the top, they will bring you up close to the frescoes of Giorgio Vasari's masterpiece of the Last Judgement and provide you with a breathtaking view of Florence.  You will have to purchase a ticket to climb up the Dome.

• Piazza Della Signoria is an L-shaped plaza.  There you will be surrounded by medieval buildings and many statues such as a replica of the David statue.  Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall, can also be found here.

• Piazza Santa Croce, located in Florence's central neighborhood, is also another main plaza where you can see one of their most beautiful churches, the Basilica of Santa Croce, and its 16 chapels.  Also known as the Temple of Italian Glories, here you can find many renowned Italians buried here such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and many more.

• Ponte Vecchio is believed to be built during the Roman times and is the only bridge within the area, that was not destroyed during WWII.  It is the host of many shops which most are either jewelry or leather crafts.

• The Oltrarno Quarter is a neighborhood away from the busy downtown area, where you can find restaurants, cafés, and bars with a more authentic scene.

• Piazza Santo Spirito is an iconic plaza that holds a big market on the weekends.  

• Piazzale Michelangelo offers stunning panoramic views of Florence.  It is named for the replica of the statue of David that can be found there.

• The Boboli Gardens are not too far from the Piazzale Michelangelo.  It is an open air garden and museum complex where you can wander through the statues of various artistic styles from several periods of art.

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Besides the aforementioned excursions, there are several celebrations worth checking out:

• Epiphany and La Befana is a celebration to mark the arrival of the three Wise Men who traveled a great distance to see the infant Jesus.  It is celebrated with a parade of people in Renaissance costumes who travel through Florence with the parade ending in the Piazza Duomo.  La Bafana, according to tradition, is an old woman who, like Santa Claus, gives sweets to the good and coal to the naughty children on Epiphany Eve instead of Christmas like Santa Claus.

• Carnevale is celebrated every year between February and March.  Much like the better-known celebration in Venice, it too is celebrated with a parade of people dressed in Renaissance costumes as well as Renaissance musicians, bands, horses, and dancers.  

• Florentine New Year is celebrated on March 25th, the same day as the Feast Day of the Annunciation.  There is a mass to celebrate the new year as well as live music and exhibits.

• Scoppio del Carro is a tradition held on Easter Sunday where a massive, decorated antique cart is filled with fireworks just outside of the Piazza del Duomo.  Using historical flints, the Cardinal of Florence is given the honor to light the wire leading to the fireworks for a spectacular display.  This is a folk tradition that is supposed to guarantee good harvests for the year.

• Notte Bianca, White Night, occurs on April 30th, in the evening.  It is a night where no one sleeps as they welcome in spring!  Streets are live with celebrations as live music plays and street performers entertain.  Museums and shops join in the festivities by staying open late.  The festivities continue all night into the day of the Italian national holiday, May Day, on May 1st.  

• Republic Day takes place on June 2nd and celebrates Italy's decision to become a democratic republic after the fall of the Fascist party back in 1946.  As per most celebrations that take place in Florence, people dress in Renaissance attire as they follow along with the marching band behind the city representatives and the military.  Wreaths are placed in the Piazza dell' Unita.

• Patron Saint Feast Day takes place on June 24th and celebrates the recognition of John the Baptist as the patron saint of Florence.  There are  many festivities as well as fireworks along with a parade the winds through the city to the Piazza Santa Croce where a football match, Calcio Storico, is played.  It commemorates a match played by trapped soldiers in the 1500's with people from the four neighborhoods in Florence, playing on the teams.  It is a game much like soccer and rugby.

• Festa della Rificolana occurs on September 7th.  It is in celebration of the birthday of the Virgin Mary.  Florentines carry paper lanterns through the streets to the Basilica of Santissima Annunziata, which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.