For your interests, you simply must go to Florence. It’s an old city with some of the most famous art, including Michelangelo’s David at the Accademia and Botticelli’s the Birth of Venus at the Uffizi. The cobblestoned streets are lined with shops and markets with all your best fare, including Italian leather. And there are a variety of restaurants. I highly recommend the Ristorante de Medici, which is across from the Medici Chapel. My best meal in Italy was there.

PS the Gelato is better there than anywhere else!