San Lorenzo, Florence

San Lorenzo is a sacred destination, literally. Named for the 3rd Century Christian martyr, the neighborhood is home to the famous Basilica di San Lorenzo, one of the largest churches in Florence, which also happens to be the final resting place of several prominent members of the infamous Medici family.

History buffs will have a field day here exploring the many tombs, great domed chapels, and famous museums like the Laurenziana Library with its famous staircase by Leonardo da Vinci, though party seekers might consider the area as dead as Ferdinando Medici.

The biggest daytime scene occurs in the square just outside the Basilica, where the San Lorenzo Market sets up daily and quickly fills with vendors pedaling clothing, leather goods, arts, souvenirs, and other assorted knickknacks, all the while screaming at their competitors as they press camera-toting tourists to buy a little more of whatever is on offer.

Things are fairly staid at night, though there are smatterings of budget-friendly pubs that cater to a younger crowd.