Florence, the capital of the Italian region of Tuscany, is one of the most beautiful, romantic, and enchanting places I have ever been. It is rich in history, home to iconic art and architecture, and one of the best cuisines I have ever experienced.
Favorite Restaurants:
La Bottega Del Buon Caffe
Tratoria l’ Parione
Mangiafuoco Bracerie
Locale
Garganne
Parione
Hightlights:
Visit the David: The David is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture created in marble by Michelangelo. It is one of those things that you have to see in person to really take in the incredible detail. I really enjoy art history but even if you don’t, the David is a must see. It is located in Galleria dell’Accademia museum which has a large collection of paintings by Florentine artists and gives insight on how Florence became the city it is today. You can purchase tickets to the Galleria dell’Accademia ahead of time so you don’t have to wait in the long lines.
Go to Mercato Centrale: We came to this market for lunch and enjoyed the fresh produce, pasta, and pizza. This would be a great place to bring small gifts back from Florence from local vendors.
Walk along the Arno River: Known as one of the most important and prominent rivers in all of Italy, the Arno River runs through the center of Florence dividing it into two sides: one which is considered a more touristy side where the Duomo and David are and the other more local with art galleries and untouched history. Both are definitely worth exploring! Make sure to walk the Ponte Vecchio, the most famous bridge on the Arno which has jewelry shopping, adorable buildings, and incredible gelato.
Exploring around Ponte Vecchico: Ponte Vecchio is the river that divides Florence into two sections and offers incredible views, shopping, and even has great restaurants alongside it. Our hotel was right by Ponte Vecchio and we were able to get everywhere we wanted to go by foot (besides Piazzale Michaelangelo- we rented a Vespa 😊).
Climb the Duomo: Get a great stair workout in while taking in some of Florence’s most astonishing history. The 463 stairs are well worth the view of the entire city. We bought tickets with a specific time slot so we didn’t have to wait in the long line.
Boboli Gardens: I loved waking around the Boboli Gardens and taking in the magnificent views. It would be a perfect spot for a picnic or place to relax and grab a book.
Piazzale Michaelangelo: The absolute BEST view in Florence. You can see everything from the Duomo to vineyard castles on the hills of Tuscany. This is the perfect place to watch the sunset and listen to live music.
Tuscan Countryside: We went on a road trip and stayed in Montelcino for a couple days and it was almost impossible to leave. Between the serene countryside, farm to table fresh food, and wineries, it was well worth the hour and a half drive. Our favorite winery was Casanova di Niri, known for their delicious brunellos.
