No art trip to Europe is complete without a visit to Florence. Pictured here is the first courtyard of Palazzo Vecchio (Old Palace) with the sculpture Putto with Dolphin by Andrea del Verrocchio (1476). A perfect example of the zenith of high renaissance art, the palazzo had been Medicis’ residence and now accommodates the mayor of Florence. The columns were at first smooth and untouched, and later fully decorated to match the sculpture and frescos on the walls.