SI-Centrum is where you go in Stuttgart if you're after a full night out in one place. It’s got two large theatres that put on big-name musicals, a cinema, a casino, and a spa with themed saunas and pools. There are also plenty of places to eat and drink. It's a bit outside the city centre, but easy enough to reach by U-Bahn (Salzäcker stop).

Hard to miss and easy to linger in, this L-shaped square is basically an open-air museum. Grab a seat at a café (yes, it’s pricey, but the people-watching is worth every euro), and you’ve got front-row views of Palazzo Vecchio, the Fountain of Neptune, and the statue of Cosimo I on horseback. Just off to the side is the Loggia dei Lanzi, packed with Renaissance sculptures—all free to see, no ticket needed. Early mornings or late evenings are quieter if you want to take it all in without the daytime crowds.

You can’t really miss it—Florence’s cathedral (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) dominates the skyline with that massive red-brick dome. Construction began in the 13th century and continued for nearly 150 years, which is evident in the diverse styles. The outside is covered in pink, green and white marble—oddly beautiful up close. Inside, check out Vasari’s Last Judgment fresco under the dome. If you’re up for the climb (and it is quite a climb), the view from the top is worth the leg burn.

Sun Studio is often called the "Birthplace of Rock 'N' Roll," and for good reason. This is where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, B.B. King, and countless other legends recorded some of their earliest hits. Opened in 1950, the studio still runs recording sessions at night, but by day, it offers tours that let you stand where music history was made.