Tuscan Excursion Part 1: Exploring Florence
When I thought about Tuscany, I pictured wine, Aperol spritzes, and picturesque sunsets. Florence offered all of that, alongside the art and architecture I’d long wanted to see. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, the city had served as a stage for great artists to create their masterpieces. It felt like a fitting place to begin our Tuscan journey.
An exploration of timeless style, travel, and the art of living.
Exploring Florence
Italy has always been at the top of my destinations list, with Tuscany being the region I’ve wanted to see the most, so planning it was very exciting for me. As someone who loves Renaissance art, good food and medieval architecture, Tuscany seemed to embody much of what I gravitate to in life. And I cannot forget the remarkable Tuscan food as well as the wine. Having a glass of Chianti wine in Chianti was quite fantastic, to say the least. Florence has a certain charm about it. A little bit of everything, for everyone to adore
Things to Do:
Visit The Duomo
It doesn’t have the distinction of being one of the eight wonders of the world, but it sure could be. It is such an outstanding structure with amazing details. Officially known as The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, The Duomo was a beacon of the Italian Renaissance and one of the greatest masterpieces of Gothic art. Due to its sheer size and popularity, it serves as the city’s symbol and is the most recognizable building in Florence.
Climb the Arnolfo Tower within Palazzo Vecchio
I’m a sucker for panoramic views. Climbing the stairs to reach them is a little less appealing, though I suppose it counts as leg day. The Arnolfo Tower was worth the effort. If you love seeing a city from above as much as I do, I’d recommend making the climb. At over 300 feet high, the tower offers amazing panoramic views of the city. These views are not exclusive to the top of the tower though, as you can find many different vantage points due to multiple openings around the building.
Visit the Various Museums in Florence
My love of art, especially Renaissance art, was one of the reasons I’d wanted to visit Florence. Spending time at the Uffizi Gallery was an easy decision. Built between 1560 and 1580, it houses works by artists including Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, and my personal favorite, Caravaggio. If you’re into art, you’ve got to spend a couple of hours in here.
There’s also the Accademia Gallery where you can see Michelangelo’s David as well as the Bargello National Museum, Palazzo Vecchio and the Davinci museum.
Walk Florence’s Famous Bridges, Including Ponte Vecchio
These bridges were some of the coolest structures I’ve seen. You may say they're just bridges (and they are, but these structures sure do have history. Knowing some of my favorite artists have walked this bridge is pretty cool. It’s partly famous for being one of Florence's only bridges that weren’t destroyed during World War II. The bridge has always hosted merchants with shops displaying their goods since its construction. If you need some really great jewelry (albeit a bit overpriced), you can definitely find it here.
Explore Florence’s Historic Center
There are many streets and alleys that you can pop into and discover something cool. Looking for rich Italian loaves of bread or local olive oil? You can find it here. From a little shop selling trinkets to a well-known sandwich shop, the streets, especially in the summer, are always bustling with people.
See Florence at Night
The old town takes on a different feel after sunset. Apartments along the Arno light up, blue hues radiate from the sky above, and the streets are buzzing. On one block, we’d find street performers playing violins; on another, people our age were simply hanging out and enjoying the evening. We went for a night stroll every day. After the summer heat, it was one of my favorite ways to experience Florence.
View of the Ponte Santa Trinita bridge at dusk.
View the Sunset from the Piazzale Michelangelo.
A sunset, something to eat, and a glass of wine are a pretty good combination. Add the Tuscan scenery, and it’s hard to imagine a more romantic setting. That’s how Piazzale Michelangelo felt to me. Situated atop a hill on the left bank of the Arno River, you have unobstructed views of all of the heart of Florence, including the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and Palazzo Vecchio. The day we were there, it was booming with people, music and food. We arrived early and watched as the light changed over Florence. With the city spread out below and people gathering around us, it became one of the best sunsets I’ve ever experienced.
About an hour before sunset
That gorgeous sunset that we were all waiting for at the Piazzale Michelangelo.
Where to Eat:
Gelateria La Carraia - Florence is the birthplace of gelato in Italy for a reason and this is the best gelato you can find in Florence. Great flavors, great taste.
I Fratellini - One of the best sandwich shops in Florence. A great spot for a quick pick-me-up when you’re moving around town. Expect to wait a bit because the lines are usually long, and rightfully so as the sandwiches are amazing. It being featured on Conan Without Borders may partially be why as well.
Osteria Pastella - If you’re into romantic dinners and fancy restaurant (hands raised here) you’ll love Osteria Pastella. The low lit ambiance is perfect for a dinner date, and seeing your pasta being handmade in a big block of cheese is hunger inducing. The truffle taglietelle (pasta) and the Ravioli are must haves.
Caffè Rivoire - As is customary when we travel, we do lots of walking and exploring, so taking breaks to have a drink and something to snack on is always a necessity. The Aperol Spritz’s here were nice (we had many) especially for the hot summer days and we enjoyed the iced lattes as well, which were a great pick me up before we continued to explore the city.
Caffe Rosano - If you need a good pick-me-up, the huge cappuccinos here will do just that. Their filled croissants taste great and their breakfast menu has something on there for everyone.
Mamma Napoli - Friendly and welcoming staff and excellent pizza. Their five cheese pizza was some of the best pizza I’ve ever had.
Trattoria Za’ Za’ - I love a restaurant with an extensive history and this is one of them. After one of our long days of exploring, we settled in and had dinner here. If you’re a fan of beef, your options are endless.
Where To Stay:
Solo Experience Hotel - We wanted something that would be in the heart of Florence and close to all the most popular landmarks. This hotel fits the criteria. The room was cozy and perfect for two, and the staff was very accommodating.
