If you're in Florence, you have to stop here to see "the real David" by Michelangelo.  It is absolutely stunning.  I wrote a paper on Michelangelo when I was in elementary school, so to see the David in real life was a dream come true.  Even my mother, who has never been much into art, was stunned.  She had to go back and look at it one more time before we left. 

If your going to be in Victoria, make sure you have high tea at the beautiful Fairmont Empress Hotel.  The dining room is beautiful.  The food is abundant and delicious with a variety of sandwiches, scones, and desserts.  The hotel is on the waterfront.  We did not stay at the hotel, but I am sure the accomodations are quite nice.  Oh, and they have a nice little gift shop across from the dining room where you can buy some English tea or beautiful tea cups to take home as souvenirs or gifts for your friends.  It took my husband and he loved it, but a group of ladies would really enjoy it for sure.  It is the nicest place I have had tea, after the Ritz in London of course!

If you are going to be in Victoria, do not miss Butchart Gardens.  Even my husband who is such a manly-man was mesmerized by its beauty.  Never seen anything like it.  You will get some of the most beautiful photos here.  Every flower imaginable in such stunning settings.  I've heard every season is different but just as spectacular.  We went in the Fall.

You can't go to San Antonio without going to the Riverwalk.  A river winds through town with wide sidewalks on each side.  The river is lined with numerous restaurants, shops, and hotels.  You can ride a flat, open boat down the river, or watch other pass by.  Scenic bridges span the river here and there.  During Christmas they have boat parades that float down the Riverwalk and for St. Patrick's Day they dye the river green and declare it the River Shannon and have a parade.  Accomodations on the river are very expensive, but romantic and scenic.