Italians call it Firenze, but by any name, it's one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Florence, the capital of the region of Tuscany, was where the Renaissance evolved in the 15th and 16th centuries.

It was influenced by superb artists, including Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Donatello and many others. They lived and worked in Florence, nurtured by the picturesque surroundings. Consider some of the
best sights in the city:

Gallerie dell'Accademia: It’s where to find Michelangelo's great statue of the biblical David as the legendary hero prepared for battle with Goliath. Standing 17 feet tall, the 16th-century marble figure is on display in the building among other works of Renaissance art and sculpture.

Gallerie degli Uffizi: Housed in the 16th-century Palazzo degli Uffizi, this location also features famous works of Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Built for the ruling Medici family, its courtyard is a delightful daily combination of street performers and talented young art students offering to draw or paint your portrait in Renaissance style.

Ponte Vecchio: The medieval arch bridge over the Arno River is great for strolling, viewing, photos and shopping. On each side of the middle pathway are 400-year-old souvenir and specialty shops with apartments poking out above them.

For years there was a tradition for young couples attaching small padlocks all along the bridge railings and other places to become lasting symbols of their love. Recently, with the growing weight threatening to collapse the bridge, the practice is now banned.

Piazza della Signoria: This centrally-located square is the largest in Florence, with famous buildings and statues surrounding it. It's also infamous as the 15th-century site of the martyrdom of Savonarola and his religious followers, who were burned at the stake there for their blasphemy.

Piazza del Duomo: Dominated by the golden dome over the Basilica de Santa Maria del Fiore, this is one of the city’s most popular tourist sites. It was designed by 15th-century masters Brunelleschi and Donatello. Alongside stands Giotto di Bondone's 277-foot-tall Campanile (bell tower).

Palazzo Pitti: On the southern bank of the River Arno, Pitti Palace houses the Medici art collection. Outside are the Boboli Gardens, a great place to relax for senior tourists who need moments of reflection and rest before embarking on more Florentine adventures.