Stanley Tucci shares one Italian city you 'absolutely have to visit' - and it's not Rome

Although born in the United States, actor Stanley Tucci's parents are both Italian. And it's no secret that the actor, who is known for starring in films such as Big Night, Spotlight and The Devil Wears Prada, loves the country and it's food.

He also recently starred in Tucci in Italy, where the actor and author navigated the culinary traditions and complexities of five regions - Tuscany, Lombardy, Trentino-Aldo Adige, Abruzzo and Lazio. In the five-part series he made deep connections to people, food and landscapes.

But in a recent interview, which was shared on TikTok, the 64-year-old shared the one place he thinks people should visit when they go to Italy, and it's actually not the capital, Rome. Although his love for the city is clear - when filming Conclave he would go out and eat in local restaurants every day - a different place has captured his heart.

He was asked by Parade Magazine which Italian city you "must visit", to which he replied: "I think Florence, probably." When asked why Florence is so special, Stanley explained it's to do with its Rennaissance roots.

When it comes to what to eat there, Stanley said: "Everything." Stanley has a number of favourite spots to eat in Florence, but one particular one is Cinghiale Bianco, and another called Dalla Lola.

Florence is the capital of Italy's Tuscany region and is known for its history, art, architecture and wonderful food. Stanley moved to live in Florence for a year during the 1970s when he was 11.

In promotion for his new series, which premiered in May, Stanley shared a clip on Instagram from Florence, and captioned it: "Florence last year, during filming. Sant’Ambrogio Market was as joyful and loud as I remembered. I lived here as a kid. Still one of my favourite places."

Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco is a family run restaurance which serves traditional Tuscan dishes such as wild boar ragu. Meanwhile, Dalla Lola is a trattoria which offers lesser-known Tuscan dishes, in a cosy, rustic setting.

Florence has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982, and is an exceptional example of Italian Renaissance.

There are many things to do in Florence, including visiting the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, which was the largest church in Europe at the time it was built. You can also climb 463 narrow winding steps up Brunelleschi's Dome to take in breathtaking views of the city.

In Florence's most famous square, Piazza della Signoria, you can find impressive sculptures, including Bandinelli's 1534 statue of Hercules and Cacus. There are also many museums and galleries to go to, including the Uffizi Gallery, which is one of th emost famous art museums in the world. It boasts incredible Renaissance masterpieces, including works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli and Raphael.

There are several ways to fly to Florence, including from London Gatwick, and the flight time is about two hours and 15 minutes. Airlines that offer direct flights include British Airways, BA Cityflyer and Vlueling Airlines. The cheapest time to fly is usually November.