Smartphones fail. Batteries die. Cobblestones hurt. But a is a reliable, romantic, and tactile key to the Renaissance. It allows you to look up—not down—at the palazzos and towers that have stood for 600 years.
It is tempting to rely solely on your smartphone. After all, it talks to you, reroutes you when you get lost, and shows you reviews of nearby restaurants. But Florence presents unique challenges that make the analog option superior in specific scenarios.