Firenze, or Florence for Anglophones, is the capital of Tuscany. A paradise for Renaissance art lovers, tourists, and students alike, it is possible to spend months in this city and still not manage to explore all of the masterpieces stored in its churches and museums. But Florence is also a city that can be thoroughly enjoyed in just a matter of days.

The easiest way to reach this bustling city is by train, arriving at Stazione Santa Maria Novella (abbreviated on rail maps as S.M.N.) close to the center of the city. There is also a small airport just a twenty-euro taxi ride away from the center of town. Florence is conveniently located two hours between Milan and Rome, and is easy trip from either of these big tourist destinations.

Stepping out of the train station, one finds cobblestone streets full of bikers and Vespas dangerously navigating around pedestrians. Designer Italian stores are nestled between gelaterie and piazze (public squares), with statues at every corner designed by Renaissance masters, from Donatello to Brunelleschi.

Although the bus system can be quite easily navigated, the best way to explore Florence is by foot. Simply walking the city streets is also an easy way to experience the Renaissance masterpieces, especially if there isn’t enough time to wait in five-hour museum lines.

Two of the most famous museums in the world are located in this city of art. The Uffizi, which used to house the city’s public offices, contains a collection including Botticelli and Leonardo da Vinci, both artists who once lived in Florence. The Accedamia, another museum, houses Michelangelo’s David. The Renaissance Cathedral at the center of town is a soaring architectural masterpiece that serves as a reference point throughout the city. The small fee to ascend to the top of the cathedral is worth every penny, for after climbing in between the two domes at the top of the church, one is rewarded with a breathtaking view of the rooftops and hills of Florence. From the doors of the Baptistery at the Cathedral, to the replica Michelangelo sculptures outside the Palazzo Vecchio, it is impossible to miss evidence of the Florentine Renaissance.

There is, however, much more to Florence than just art. The Central Market houses vendors of Tuscan foods, oils, and wine, and bustles each morning and early afternoon. Of special note are the famous “boiled beef sandwiches.” The leather vendors in the Santa Croce neighborhood are also world-famous and explain the distinguishable smell from the tanneries in the area. Florentines and tourists alike spend afternoons and late evenings at the many sidewalk wine bars. You can also enjoy a stroll along the Arno, the river that weaves through the city, perhaps indulging in a gelato from Badiani and Vivoli. The cuisine in Florence gives the city a name all its own, from trattorias Cammillo, where diners enjoy fried porcini and homemade pastas, to La Vecchia Bettola, famous for inventing penne alla vodka. Il Latini is both a touristy and local favorite, where prosciutto hangs from the ceilings and ordering from the menu is taboo.

In the evenings, Florence is most conducive to relaxation and conversation, although those who are interested can find “Euro” clubs, like Central Park or Space. Many young locals gather in the small local bars in Piazza Santo Croce. Others may grab a cheap bottle of wine and sit outside under the stars in Piazza Santo Spirito, or on the bridges along the Arno. While Florence isn’t a typical Eurotrip party town, it is impossible to fully experience Italy without stopping in this city brimming with art and culture.