Italy

Florence paved the way in Europe

Florence can be recognised for at least one impressive architectural accomplishment: it was the first city in Europe to have fully paved streets. This practical upgrade in 1339 reflected the city’s growing wealth and civic pride. And today, walking Florence’s compact centre is still the best way to experience the city’s Renaissance treasures up close, from Brunelleschi’s red-tiled dome and Giotto’s bell tower to the Uffizi’s galleries and Botticelli’s masterpieces.

Cross the Arno via the medieval Ponte Vecchio, browse the goldsmiths’ shops, and wander into the Oltrarno to find artisan workshops that have been carving wood, tooling leather, and shaping marble for centuries.

Markets like San Lorenzo showcase Tuscan produce, and quiet side streets lead to quiet piazzas and some of Italy’s best gelato. As the day fades, climb to Piazzale Michelangelo for a sunset view over terracotta rooftops and church spires. You can enjoy Florence at its most timeless.

Art

Italy has been a centre for talented artists for centuries, but one period stands supreme: the Renaissance (14th to 16th centuries). From Leonardo and Michelangelo to Botticelli and Raphael, the Italian Renaissance masters reimagined anatomy, perspective and storytelling. Their patrons, notably the Medici and papal courts, transformed cities into open-air galleries where politics, science, and art intertwined.

Pinocchio was originally published in a newspaper

Carlo Collodi’s wooden puppet first appeared in July 1881 in the children’s newspaper Giornale per i Bambini. Its episodic format, complete with cliffhangers, kept young readers rapt before the tale evolved into the much-loved story we know today.

The Roman Empire spanned three continents

Central to Italy’s rich history was the mighty Roman Empire. At its height, Rome governed roughly 2.3 million square miles across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, leaving roads, laws, languages, and city plans as a lasting legacy. In Italy, Roman ruins aren’t just tourist sights; they’re the spine of many modern towns. Italy isn’t the only country where you can explore ancient Roman ruins. Jeresh is home to some of the best-preserved Roman ruins outside of Italy, and we visit them on our Jordan's Ancient Wonders tour.