We encourage our guides to work with us in finding fun experiences for our groups. We’ll see the great art, of course, but we can make art as well (as you’ll see tour guide Angelos from Athens demonstrate). Anna Piperato (Siena & Italy Tours with Anna), one of our lead guides from Siena, introduced us to her friend Caterina Balletti, who has a “flash art” studio in Florence (Caterina Balletti Flash Art). The visit costs about $100 for the entire group, it comes with Prosecco, and a couple of tou

This week on the Travel with Rick Steves radio show and podcast: Tour guides from across the Continent share their expertise on what to do and see on their home turf. We learn about the ancient ruins, charming villages, and fresh local food that awaits discovery along Turkey's Aegean coast. Then we indulge in the Renaissance wonders of Florence and more of Tuscany's sun-drenched delights. And we expand our Danish horizons with tips on favorite day trips beyond Copenhagen. Find your local station

Bring the kids! Our Family Europe: London to Florence tour delivers a colorful mix of must-see cities (London, Paris, Florence), and stroll-around charms (Burgundy, the Swiss Alps, Italy's Cinque Terre). Along the way, you and your kids will encounter some fascinating bits of art, history, and culture — along with a couple of castles, a boat, a train, a mountain gondola lift, plenty of hiking, and even a swimming pool or two. Let's go: www.ricksteves.com/tours/europe/family-europe-london-florenc

52K views · 201 reactions | On Day 7 of the Best of Italy in 17 Days, we arrive in Florence — the home of the Renaissance: www.ricksteves.com/tours/italy/best-italy | Rick Steves' Europe | Facebook

44K views · 3.1K reactions | Planning a trip to Italy? Our newest...