A treasure trove of ancient relics, Florence can’t possibly be experienced in just one day – but with a local host leading the way, you can certainly make the most of Italy’s romantic Renaissance jewel. At the Column of Abundance, you could learn about the creation of present-day Piazza della Repubblica, or walk to Ponte Vecchio just outside the old city, a medieval arch bridge crossing the Arno River. Maybe you’ll move between monuments like the Torre della Castagna and the San Lorenzo church, sample local cheese at an upmarket grocery store or taste Tuscan wines at a well-appointed wine bar, glimpse at the old city walls and gates, or walk among the ancient homes of the well-heeled. Lovers of literature might want to join locals browsing books at the 300-year-old library, while foodies can tuck into typical Tuscan cuisine at a cozy trattoria.

With your local host as your own personal GPS and guidebook, you’ll explore Florence’s most famous central districts around the Arno River. North of the river, you could spend hours in the old medieval district, San Giovanni – the pounding heart of the historic city center, where ancient contributions to art, culture, and archeology can be found around every cobbled corner. Across the Ponte Vecchio, you might visit the Quartiere of Santo Spirito, a district with its own significant sites like the Santo Spirito di Firenze church and Palazzo Pitti. Or perhaps you’ll head just over a mile further off the beaten path to Arcetri, a scenic district surrounded by rolling Tuscan hills that’s home to Villa Galileo and the Arcetri Observatory.