In Assassin's Creed II, Florence is the main setting for Ezio Auditore's early adventures.
The game opens in late-fifteenth-century Florence, where Ezio grows up as the son of Giovanni Auditore. After his family is betrayed and executed, Ezio begins a long journey of discovery and revenge that eventually leads him into the Assassin Brotherhood. Florence provides the setting for his family life, early missions, and first encounters with the political forces surrounding the conspiracy.
Florence is only one major location in the game. Ezio later travels to places including Monteriggioni, San Gimignano, Forlì, Venice, and the Vatican area of Rome. Venice is therefore a frequent mix-up: it is an important later setting, but Florence is the city associated with the beginning of Ezio's story and his transformation into an Assassin.