Amidst the beauty of the rolling hills of the Tuscan Valley lies Florence, a city replete with history and charm. Florence is definitively one of the preeminent treasures of Europe. It is through Florence's beginning as a Roman settlement in the First Century B.C. and provincial capital at the height of the Roman Empire that one finds the framework for its future greatness.

Due to its link to antiquity, Florence spurred a revolution that shook Europe by becoming the birthplace of the Renaissance. The move from feudal conflicts with the rise of the Medici "dynasty" under the guidance of Giovanni di Bicci allowed commerce to flourish. In turn, this created an environment conducive to intellectual pursuits. Foremost on the list of intellectual pursuits was the study of antiquity. Soon, the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome became a Florentine passion.

Modern-day Florence is also shaped by its recent history. In 1865 Florence became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy, overseeing the unification of most of the Italian city states. In 1871 Florence relinquished the honor of being the capital of the Kingdom of Italy when the final unification of Italy was effected by the capitulation of Rome.