3 Nights in Florence, Italy

You can easily reach Florence a number of ways: by train, plane or car. Once you arrive, walking will generally be your primary mode of transportation. Spend your first day in Florence familiarizing yourself with the city and taking in the sights such as the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio, or join in on a walking tour to get a more in depth explanation about the history of the city. After you have had your fill of exploring, grab an aperitivo somewhere with a view before heading to dinner at La Giostra.

You can't leave Italy without learning how to make some homemade pasta. Find a small group class with a local for the best experience, such as the Cook with Love class. Not only will you come home with a new appreciation for Italian food, you will also have a new batch of recipes under your belt to try when you return home. After returning from the cooking class, stroll around Florence and keep an eye out for a wine window (the one at Babae is generally open.) Make sure you saved a little room for dinner— Florentine Steak is on the menu! Head to Buca Lapi or Buca Mario for a very authentic experience.

No trip to Florence is complete without visiting the Tuscan countryside. I recommend taking a small group wine tour with Wine and Italy to get the most out of this experience. With this tour, you will visit three vineyards and learn about what makes wine in Tuscany so special. In addition, you will enjoy a home-made lunch at the second vineyard. You'll leave with a new appreciation for Tuscan wines (and perhaps a few bottles to bring home). Finish the day out with dinner at Osteria Il Gatto e La Volpe.

Spend the morning doing any of the activities you haven't been able to fit in yet, such as visiting the Piazzale Michelangelo or climbing to the top of Brunelleschi's dome in the Duomo. Alternatively, you can spend the morning shopping for the leather or silver goods that Florence is famous for. When you're done, walk or take a quick taxi to the train station to head to your next destination.