Tuscan Excursion Part 1: Exploring Florence
When you think of Tuscany, if your mind instantly conjures up images of wine, endless amounts of spritz’s and picturesque sunsets, you’d be spot on. Florence, being the capital city of Tuscany, embodies all those things and then some. Claiming the title of the birthplace of the Renaissance, many art masters have used Florence as a stage for their masterpieces.
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 midlevel 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 Basilica di 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 share 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. I’m less of a sucker for climbing a ton of stairs (a good way to knock out a leg day I guess) to get to those views, but it was worth it! If you love panoramic views as much as I do, this is a must-stop while exploring the city center. 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
I love art, especially Renaissance art (hence one of the reasons I wanted to visit Florence, so this was a no-brainer for me. The Uffizi Gallery is one of the most famous art galleries globally. Constructed between 1560 and 1580, it’s known worldwide for housing paintings from some of the grandmasters of painting, such as Caravaggio (my favorite, Michelangelo, Leonardo and Botticelli. 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
Since we were in Florence in the heart of the summer, some days got very hot, putting a slight damper on our explorations. What was great, though, was the fact that at sundown, the weather drops a ton, and the city temps are perfect for walking around and taking a stroll. The old town takes on a different feel when the sun goes down. The apartments on the Arno river light up, blue hues resonate from the sky above and the streets are buzzing. You could venture down one block and find street performers playing violins or another with people our age just hanging out and enjoying life. We took this night stroll every day!
View of the Ponte Santa Trinita bridge at dusk.
View the Sunset From the Piazzale Michelangelo.
There’s not much more romantic than watching a nice sunset with food and a glass of wine. Add the Tuscan scenery to that picture and it’s pretty much heaven-sent. That's how I’d describe the view from the Piazzale Michelango. 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 got there a bit early before sunset, but it was definitely worth the while and I’d say it’s one of the best sunsets I’ve ever experienced in my life.
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 Frattellini - 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.
Cafe 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.
Mama 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.
