The orange rooftop and domed ceiling of Florence's Duomo and Basilica of Santa Maria Novella are just a slice of Renaissance architecture in Europe. Between getting spa treatments, feasting on classic fare and relaxing at villas in Italy, luxury vacationers should take a few hours to get to know this pivotal architectural period before their holiday is over.

The Renaissance era, which took place during the early 15th and 17th centuries, is notorious for embellished and symmetrical structures emphasizing smooth curves rather than the severe and jutting lines of the Medieval period. In Florence, the centuries-old Duomo towers above nearly all other buildings, and although it was originally constructed to be a gothic cathedral, repairs over the years have rendered it more like Renaissance styles.

If you're planning to reserve a stay at luxury rentals anytime soon, don't forget to brush up on your Italian architecture facts. Knowing basic information about designers, time periods and construction facts makes a tour of Renaissance structures all the more rewarding.