Strap in for a crash course in Florence with a knowledgeable local host to get you comfortable in Italy’s sun-soaked, sepia-toned Cradle of the Renaissance. Learn how to navigate the cobbled streets and get to grips with the distinct character of each district (while squeezing in plenty of sightseeing along the way.) See landmarks like the Florence Cathedral, Piazza Santa Felicità, and Via dei Girolami – a vaulted medieval road – and learn stories about the city’s secret history, like Via dei Calzaioli, the shoemaker’s street where the painter Bronzino got headaches from the noise! Ask your local insider any questions you have – perhaps over an espresso, gelato, or a crunchy biscotti at Vivoli or Robiglio like the honorary local you are.

Navigating Florence can be confusing – neighborhoods in the city are identified by a major church, parish, or square, so depending on how many landmarks you squeeze in you could visit several. In fact, with your local host leading the way, you’ll see six of Florence’s most exciting central districts in just three hours! North of the Arno River, Santa Croce, Santissima Annunziata, Duomo, and Santi Apostoli are all within a mile of one another, famous not only for their defining landmarks, but for their cultural gems tucked away around every corner. Ten minutes south, across the centuries-old Ponte Vecchio, the trendy Oltrarno quarter is home to significant historic sites of its own – but also cool shops and studios frequented by Florentines.