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country: Italy
location: Tuscany
price: From €55 - €95 per person per night, depending on accommodation chosen, available March - November. US $40 surcharge on all bookings
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Holiday Details 2 reviews
Tuscany bed & breakfast accommodation
We have a 1,100 acre organic agricultural estate and cultural centre near Siena, part of the Riserva Naturale Alto Merse, and a unique historical property and multicultural community. We offer B&B and self-catering accommodation - the estate produces organic wine, olive oil, vegetables, fruit, honey, grains, and pasta, and serves dinner nightly to residents and guests if desired.
Located 1 hour from Florence and 45 minutes from San Gimignano, this is an ideal base for exploring the Tuscan countryside. Or stay on the property and relax by the pool, take a hike, or read on the terrace.
The Villa , from €70 (£48) - €95 (£65) per night (7 double rooms), B&B
The Villa on the Estate is the original aristocratic dwelling on the property. Built by the Spannocchi family between 1300 and 1885, and then purchased by the Cinelli family in 1925, the Villa is furnished with many original antiques, paintings and family heirlooms. There are 7 well-appointed rooms with private baths available on a nightly basis, and breakfast including many organic products from Spannocchia’s farm, is included. Each room has a lovely view of the Villa gardens, the fruit and olive orchard, and our vineyards in the distance.
Guests at the Villa are encouraged to use the library, living room, and terrace, and pool during their stay. Both the living room and library have large fireplaces, and the terrace offers sweeping views of the property and is the gathering site for our daily gathering of guests and residents, to have a glass of wine and watch the sunset before dinner. A traditional herb garden is located in the back courtyard where dinner is served outside in the summer months, and a recently restored section of the garden, called the “Giardino Segreto” (Secret Garden), is currently being restored for use as an outdoor education site for guests and day visitors to learn more about the flora and fauna of Spannocchia.
There is a common kitchen, with space for storing snacks and basic kitchen amenities for preparing meals when not out exploring the Tuscan countryside.
The Fattoria , from €55 (£38) - €80 (£55) per night (7 double rooms, 1 triple room), B&B
The Fattoria is the original farm dwelling on the property. Built by the Spannocchi family between 1300 and 1600, and then purchased by the Cinelli family in 1925, the Fattoria offers large and simply decorated rooms - many with recently restored historic and decorative painting.
There are 7 rooms sharing 4 baths with showers available on a nightly basis, and 1 triple room has a private bath with shower. Breakfast including many organic products from our farm, is included in the price. Each room has a lovely view of the Fattoria courtyard, where much of the activity on the Estate takes place - the cantina, the pizza oven, the woodworking shop, the archeology museum, the shop and guest office, and the farm office
Guests at the Fattoria are encouraged to use the common room, dining room, swimming pool and terrace during their stay. The common room has a large fireplace, and the terrace offers sweeping views of the property and is the gathering site for our daily gathering of guests and residents, to have a glass of wine and watch the sunset before dinner. There is a common kitchen, with space for storing snacks and basic kitchen amenities for preparing meals when not out exploring the Tuscan countryside.
Family friendly: Yes, while we do not offer specific activities for children, we find that it is an ideal location for families, due to the safety of the location, the varied outdoor activities, and ample space available in our accommodations. Kids love see our pigs, chickens, cows, sheep, and ponies, and we also have many hiking trails and a pool.
Baby friendly: We offer cribs for people with infants under the age of three.
special things to do and see here
Pool, dining available onsite featuring organic products and traditional Tuscan recipes, hiking, cooking classes, language/arts classes, farm tours, product tastings, products available for sale onsite
how to find us
The estate is located 4 km southwest of Rosia near the intersection of SS 541 and SS 73, about 20 minutes south of Siena. The nearest airport is Florence (1 hour).
traveller reviews for Tuscany bed & breakfast accommodation
The best part was undoubtedly the food. Practically everything on your plate comes from the estate, whether it be pork from their rare breed pigs or wild boar, vegetables from the garden or olive oil from the olive groves. (more)
rooms, food and facilities
Swimming pool, studio and classroom space, full service guest office, dining room open for dinner Monday-Friday, shared telephone, shared internet hookup for guests, shop featuring farm products, professional kitchen for cooking classes.
We encourage guests to order a harvest basket of organic vegetables from our garden or to try our own organic wine, olive oil, honey, or pasta when creating their own versions of a Tuscan dinner.
how this holiday makes a difference
We are committed to being a good steward of the land and the surrounding community. By farming organically, recycling, using renewable resources for utility needs when possible, and encouraging our guests to be conscious of their resource usage, we protect our land from non-sustainable use.
By supporting local artisanal producers, providing a supportive workplace for our employees, and encouraging our guests to be sensitive to local culture, and opening our property for public use on hiking trails, we benefit the local community in many ways that traditional hotels are not able to.
We aspire to be a vacation destination that provides an opportunity for guests to be engaged, to participate in our community, to learn about sustainability, and take that knowledge home and apply it to their own community.
Bed and Breakfast guests have an opportunity to stay right in the heart of the activity plus they get to stay in a facility that has a self-contained heating and hot water system that only uses sustainably harvested wood from the property. They also get to sample some of our best organic products at breakfast – honey, farro, breads made with Spannocchia whole wheat, and jams and jellies made from our figs, plums, and persimmons. What we don’t produce on site, we try to buy locally.
Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Italy. Show all posts
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Day Trips from Florence
tuscanhill Florence is one of those compact, walkable, and packed-with-tourist-sights cities that makes it easy to overlook the idea of taking a day out of your stay to venture anywhere else. Not only that, there are so many idyllic Tuscan hilltowns around Florence where you might want to actually stay a few days, a quick day-trip to any of them (or all of them, for that matter) might not interest you.
Still, if you’re trying to limit the number of times you transfer to a new hotel, staying in Florence long enough that you’ve got time for a day trip or two, or are just tired of Florence and want a change of scenery, you’re in luck – the options for day trips from Florence are plentiful.
As mentioned, many of the most popular day trips out of Florence are Tuscan hill towns. Depending on your opinion of towns like this, you may want to just pick one (the smaller ones especially can lead to a serious case of deja vu) or you might enjoy discovering the sometimes slight differences between them (at least they’re slight to visitors!). But even if you’re tired of small-town Italy, there are other options for day-trips from Florence that’ll give you a chance to see something a little more different.
One thing to keep in mind with these Florence day trips is transportation. There are some truly lovely places around Florence (all over Italy, really) which aren’t easily accessible without a car. So if you’re limited to getting around via public transportation, the first thing you’ll want to figure out is whether a town has a train station (makes for the easiest day trip) or bus service (a very close second to trains in terms of ease). If you’ve found a spot without train or bus service that you absolutely must visit, then renting a car for a day is always an option.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of day trips from Florence, and if I’m missing your favorite please let me know in the comments!
Day Trips from Florence
* Siena – This is probably the most popular day-trip from Florence, although more and more people are choosing to stay in Siena for a couple days, too. There’s a beautiful cathedral, a sloping main square, and a seemingly endless maze of hilly cobbled streets in Siena, all contained within the old city walls. The city changes complexion at night and early in the morning (when the day trippers aren’t there), but even when it’s crowded it’s still charming. Find out how to get to Siena from Florence.
* Fiesole – In terms of easy day trips, you can’t beat Fiesole. This hilltop town overlooks Florence, and the bus trip is quick. You probably won’t even need a full day in Fiesole, unless you bring a book and a picnic lunch and spend half the day lounging in a park somewhere. Otherwise, it’s a nice spot for a half day away from the crowds of Florence.
* Pisa – Although Pisa is home to one of the most famous sights in Italy, the leaning tower, it’s a city where most tourists only spend a couple of hours on their way from one place to another. What this means is that Pisa’s an ideal spot to spend a day if you want to visit a real Italian city that’s not overrun by tourists (provided that you limit your time around the tower).
* San Gimignano – This famous hilltop town is, like Siena, often full of day-trippers by day and quiet overnight. But because there’s no train station in San Gimignano and many tourists aren’t interested in taking a bus in Italy, the crowds are far smaller than you’d find in Siena. With a car or by bus, it’s an easy day trip and a great way to escape the busy city.
* Cortona – Another hill town in Tuscany with even more name recognition is Cortona, which many visitors know as the town where the “Under the Tuscan Sun” author bought and refurbished a farmhouse. Life hasn’t been the same since fans of the books started visiting and searching for said farmhouse, but it can still be a nice day trip option.
* Lucca – There are many towns throughout Italy where you’ll find pieces of ancient Roman walls, but very few are as well-preserved as the walls surrounding Lucca. Not only are they well-preserved, however, Lucca’s walls are also an interactive attraction – there’s a pathway along the top of the walls upon which you can bike or walk.
* Chianti Wine Tour – Unless you sign up for an organized tour of the region’s wineries, your best bet for visiting the Chianti wine region is to have a car at your disposal and just drive. The easiest thing to do is rent a car (for the day, if you don’t have one for your whole trip) and get an upgrade to one with a GPS system so that you can take any road that looks interesting and then just plug in your hotel address when you’re ready to go back, but you can also do well with a good regional map (the more detailed, the better). Towns to visit include Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, and don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it Panzano, where you’ll find the man who’s easily the most famous butcher in Italy.
* National Parks – Tired of cities and even charming small towns? Tuscany has five national parks which might be just what you’re looking for. The Archipelago National Park of Tuscany covers some of Tuscany’s coast and islands and is Europe’s biggest marine park. Further down the coast is the Regional Park of Maremma, which has both coastal terrain and more inland terrain. The National Park of the Casentinesi Forest is in the hills of eastern Tuscany on the border with Romagna. Getting to these parks requires that you have a car, but if you’re an avid hiker or just want some fresh air away from the city, then certainly check with the tourist office in Florence to find out more about each of the region’s parks and how to reach them.
* Viareggio – So many people concentrate on Tuscany’s hill towns that they forget the region has a fairly sizeable coastline (and islands, too). One of the coastal resort towns you might have on your day-trip list is Viareggio, which has nice, big beaches and is home to a well-known Carnevale celebration in the Spring.
* Forte dei Marmi – Another beach resort town worth a day-trip (if not more) is Forte dei Marmi, which is where parts of “The English Patient” were filmed. This is a more upscale town than Viareggio, and tends to be busier on weekends.
* Arezzo – Arezzo is another Tuscan city with a movie connection, in that the Oscar-winning film “Life is Beautiful” was filmed there. The city has a rich Etruscan past that pre-dates the Roman era and several churches worth visiting.
* Volterra – For more Etruscan history, you might also look at a trip to Volterra. The town is surrounded in part by its Etruscan walls, and also has a Roman theatre dating from the 1st century B.C.E.
* Mugello Valley – North of Florence is the green Mugello Valley, which was a region the famous Medici family liked enough to build several villas. With a car and no schedule, you can enjoy a leisurely drive between the regions towns, stopping to visit the aforementioned villas as well as the many museums and churches, and maybe even to do a little hiking.
* Montepulciano – Wine lovers will recognize the name Montepulciano, but even if you’re not into wine this is a lovely hilltop town to visit. More recently, Montepulciano was in the news as the setting for some of the filming for the second movie in the “Twilight” series, but it remains to be seen whether that will impact tourism much. Not far away is the similarly-named town of Montalcino, which is also famous for wine and slightly less highly-visited than Montepulciano.
* Pienza – Italy is littered with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the whole town of Pienza. The town sits between Montepulciano and Montalcino (so the trio, taken together, make a great day out). Pienza was redesigned during the Renaissance by Pope Pius II (who was born there), and represents the first example of urban planning.
* Pitigliano – This hilltop town’s nickname is “Little Jerusalem,” and its collection of Jewish sights definitely make it stand out in oh-so-Catholic Italy. It’s west of Orvieto in southern Tuscany.
* Assisi – The pilgrimage town of Assisi in Umbria is increasingly popular as a day-trip destination, although most people start from a place that’s closer than Florence. But the train trip from Florence to Assisi is roughly 2 hours one way, so although it’s a long day trip it’s still do-able. The town is beautiful, and whether you’re religious or not a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis (who was born in Assisi) is a must.
* Cinque Terre – This is a less-than-ideal day-trip from Florence, as the train trip one-way is going to be 2.5-3 hours, but if you’re determined to see the Cinque Terre and you’re not going to get there any other way, then read more about getting to the Cinque Terre from Florence.
Still, if you’re trying to limit the number of times you transfer to a new hotel, staying in Florence long enough that you’ve got time for a day trip or two, or are just tired of Florence and want a change of scenery, you’re in luck – the options for day trips from Florence are plentiful.
As mentioned, many of the most popular day trips out of Florence are Tuscan hill towns. Depending on your opinion of towns like this, you may want to just pick one (the smaller ones especially can lead to a serious case of deja vu) or you might enjoy discovering the sometimes slight differences between them (at least they’re slight to visitors!). But even if you’re tired of small-town Italy, there are other options for day-trips from Florence that’ll give you a chance to see something a little more different.
One thing to keep in mind with these Florence day trips is transportation. There are some truly lovely places around Florence (all over Italy, really) which aren’t easily accessible without a car. So if you’re limited to getting around via public transportation, the first thing you’ll want to figure out is whether a town has a train station (makes for the easiest day trip) or bus service (a very close second to trains in terms of ease). If you’ve found a spot without train or bus service that you absolutely must visit, then renting a car for a day is always an option.
This is by no means an exhaustive list of day trips from Florence, and if I’m missing your favorite please let me know in the comments!
Day Trips from Florence
* Siena – This is probably the most popular day-trip from Florence, although more and more people are choosing to stay in Siena for a couple days, too. There’s a beautiful cathedral, a sloping main square, and a seemingly endless maze of hilly cobbled streets in Siena, all contained within the old city walls. The city changes complexion at night and early in the morning (when the day trippers aren’t there), but even when it’s crowded it’s still charming. Find out how to get to Siena from Florence.
* Fiesole – In terms of easy day trips, you can’t beat Fiesole. This hilltop town overlooks Florence, and the bus trip is quick. You probably won’t even need a full day in Fiesole, unless you bring a book and a picnic lunch and spend half the day lounging in a park somewhere. Otherwise, it’s a nice spot for a half day away from the crowds of Florence.
* Pisa – Although Pisa is home to one of the most famous sights in Italy, the leaning tower, it’s a city where most tourists only spend a couple of hours on their way from one place to another. What this means is that Pisa’s an ideal spot to spend a day if you want to visit a real Italian city that’s not overrun by tourists (provided that you limit your time around the tower).
* San Gimignano – This famous hilltop town is, like Siena, often full of day-trippers by day and quiet overnight. But because there’s no train station in San Gimignano and many tourists aren’t interested in taking a bus in Italy, the crowds are far smaller than you’d find in Siena. With a car or by bus, it’s an easy day trip and a great way to escape the busy city.
* Cortona – Another hill town in Tuscany with even more name recognition is Cortona, which many visitors know as the town where the “Under the Tuscan Sun” author bought and refurbished a farmhouse. Life hasn’t been the same since fans of the books started visiting and searching for said farmhouse, but it can still be a nice day trip option.
* Lucca – There are many towns throughout Italy where you’ll find pieces of ancient Roman walls, but very few are as well-preserved as the walls surrounding Lucca. Not only are they well-preserved, however, Lucca’s walls are also an interactive attraction – there’s a pathway along the top of the walls upon which you can bike or walk.
* Chianti Wine Tour – Unless you sign up for an organized tour of the region’s wineries, your best bet for visiting the Chianti wine region is to have a car at your disposal and just drive. The easiest thing to do is rent a car (for the day, if you don’t have one for your whole trip) and get an upgrade to one with a GPS system so that you can take any road that looks interesting and then just plug in your hotel address when you’re ready to go back, but you can also do well with a good regional map (the more detailed, the better). Towns to visit include Radda in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Greve in Chianti, and don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it Panzano, where you’ll find the man who’s easily the most famous butcher in Italy.
* National Parks – Tired of cities and even charming small towns? Tuscany has five national parks which might be just what you’re looking for. The Archipelago National Park of Tuscany covers some of Tuscany’s coast and islands and is Europe’s biggest marine park. Further down the coast is the Regional Park of Maremma, which has both coastal terrain and more inland terrain. The National Park of the Casentinesi Forest is in the hills of eastern Tuscany on the border with Romagna. Getting to these parks requires that you have a car, but if you’re an avid hiker or just want some fresh air away from the city, then certainly check with the tourist office in Florence to find out more about each of the region’s parks and how to reach them.
* Viareggio – So many people concentrate on Tuscany’s hill towns that they forget the region has a fairly sizeable coastline (and islands, too). One of the coastal resort towns you might have on your day-trip list is Viareggio, which has nice, big beaches and is home to a well-known Carnevale celebration in the Spring.
* Forte dei Marmi – Another beach resort town worth a day-trip (if not more) is Forte dei Marmi, which is where parts of “The English Patient” were filmed. This is a more upscale town than Viareggio, and tends to be busier on weekends.
* Arezzo – Arezzo is another Tuscan city with a movie connection, in that the Oscar-winning film “Life is Beautiful” was filmed there. The city has a rich Etruscan past that pre-dates the Roman era and several churches worth visiting.
* Volterra – For more Etruscan history, you might also look at a trip to Volterra. The town is surrounded in part by its Etruscan walls, and also has a Roman theatre dating from the 1st century B.C.E.
* Mugello Valley – North of Florence is the green Mugello Valley, which was a region the famous Medici family liked enough to build several villas. With a car and no schedule, you can enjoy a leisurely drive between the regions towns, stopping to visit the aforementioned villas as well as the many museums and churches, and maybe even to do a little hiking.
* Montepulciano – Wine lovers will recognize the name Montepulciano, but even if you’re not into wine this is a lovely hilltop town to visit. More recently, Montepulciano was in the news as the setting for some of the filming for the second movie in the “Twilight” series, but it remains to be seen whether that will impact tourism much. Not far away is the similarly-named town of Montalcino, which is also famous for wine and slightly less highly-visited than Montepulciano.
* Pienza – Italy is littered with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the whole town of Pienza. The town sits between Montepulciano and Montalcino (so the trio, taken together, make a great day out). Pienza was redesigned during the Renaissance by Pope Pius II (who was born there), and represents the first example of urban planning.
* Pitigliano – This hilltop town’s nickname is “Little Jerusalem,” and its collection of Jewish sights definitely make it stand out in oh-so-Catholic Italy. It’s west of Orvieto in southern Tuscany.
* Assisi – The pilgrimage town of Assisi in Umbria is increasingly popular as a day-trip destination, although most people start from a place that’s closer than Florence. But the train trip from Florence to Assisi is roughly 2 hours one way, so although it’s a long day trip it’s still do-able. The town is beautiful, and whether you’re religious or not a visit to the Basilica of St. Francis (who was born in Assisi) is a must.
* Cinque Terre – This is a less-than-ideal day-trip from Florence, as the train trip one-way is going to be 2.5-3 hours, but if you’re determined to see the Cinque Terre and you’re not going to get there any other way, then read more about getting to the Cinque Terre from Florence.
Top 10 Things to Do in Florence
Before my first visit to Florence, I’d heard and read that one could easily spend a week in the city madly running from museum to gallery and still not hope to see all the art there is to see. Rather than fill me with excitement, that idea made me nervous. I knew I only had three days on that trip (and not even three full days, something like 2.5 days, really), and I just hated the thought of frantically darting around trying to see everything. Thankfully, once I arrived in Florence – and fell completely in love with it – I pulled myself together and had a wonderful time. I’ve been back to visit since that first trip, and I’ve still not seen everything there is to see. In fact, I may never see everything in Florence – but I don’t mind trying.
Now, if you’ve got limited time in Florence like I did on that first trip, you’ll be looking for a to-do list that lets you hit the highlights and not miss anything truly important, right? While everyone’s list of “must-see” sights in Florence is going to contain the really big-deal attractions, those lists are also going to have as many differences as they do similarities. So even though I’m delivering my Top 10 Things to Do in Florence below, I hereby give you permission to tailor it to suit your own needs.
As an aside, I have to say that I knew creating this list of the top 10 things to do in Florence would be hard, but I had no idea how hard. Florence is a city that isn’t easily condensed into short to-do lists, as you’ll find when you visit (or already know from past trips). I could probably change this list in a few different ways and be as content with it as I am now – so if your top 10 list looks different than mine, I just might agree with yours, too.
Top 10 Things to Do in Florence (According to Jessica)
1. Tour the Uffizi Gallery
I know this won’t be popular with the art haters out there, but the Uffizi Gallery is definitely my pick for the #1 thing to do in Florence. It’s easily the best collection of Italian paintings on earth, and I think it’s well worth the time if for no other reason than you get to hang out for awhile in a room that’s got enormous Botticelli paintings all over the walls (it’s a surreal experience, like you’re in the paintings). But because it’s just about everyone’s top recommendation for Florence, the Uffizi is also plagued by long lines to get in. You can avoid the worst of the lines by booking your ticket in advance, or by trying to get last-minute tickets at this still-relatively-unknown ticket window. If your time in Florence is short and you can’t get advance tickets, I’m not sure spending 5+ hours in line for the Uffizi is worth it – but this is one art museum that’s worth planning ahead for.
2. Eat Two Scoops of Gelato Every Day
This is actually a rule a friend of mine who lives in Italy established for her guests (and as far as I’m concerned it’s applicable throughout the country), but in Florence – where the gelato is known for being especially fantastic – it’s so important I’m putting it on my to-do list. There are gelato shops all over the city (including my favorite Florence gelateria), but before you dive in you’ll want to read more about how to make sure you’re getting good gelato so you don’t end up disappointed. You can also study these gelato flavors and learn how to order gelato in Italy before your trip, but just take care not to drool on your computer as you read. And if you’re one of those people who actually wants to eat a well-balanced diet even on vacation, then in addition to your gelato desserts be sure to try some of the local Tuscan specialties when you’re dining out – like the famous (and famously gigantic) bistecca Fiorentina!
3. Do Some People-Watching in the Piazza della Signoria
There are a couple of great places to people-watch in Florence, but for my money the best one is the Piazza della Signoria – if for no other reason than the artwork surrounding the square is always fabulous-looking, even if the people in the square aren’t! This gorgeous open piazza is the front “yard” of what was once the ruling Medici family’s home – the Palazzo Vecchio, which has a “David” replica standing at its entrance. The Loggia to the right of the Palazzo Vecchio is a fantastic outdoor sculpture gallery, and though the restaurants lining the square are mostly overpriced you should feel free to bring your gelato cone in from elsewhere to enjoy the view while you eat. If you want to splurge on a sweet treat with a view of the Piazza della Signoria, I recommend getting a cioccolata calda at Rivoire (and sit outside if you can get a table). For a bit of the macabre, find the circular marble plaque toward the middle of the piazza that marks the spot where the monk Savonarola (the “bonfire of the vanities” guy) was burnt at the stake in 1498.
4. See the Sights in Duomo Square
Another excellent spot for people-watching is the nearby piazza in front of the Florence Duomo, although this one is almost always more crowded (or it just always feels more crowded because it’s not as open). The two big sights here are the Duomo (obviously) and the Baptistery, but the main attraction of the Baptistery is actually on the outside. The set of doors that faces the front of the Duomo was designed by Ghiberti in the early 1400s, and a young Michelangelo thought they were so beautiful that they could be the Gates of Paradise. The original panels are now kept in the Duomo Museum, but the replicas on the Baptistery are still gorgeous and still attract quite a crowd. The Duomo’s relatively barren interior can be a bit of a disappointment after seeing its festive exterior, but most of the art was removed to the Duomo Museum after the 1966 flood. Still, entry into the Duomo is free, so if you need a break from the weather or crowds you can wander around inside. Note that especially in the high season the Piazza del Duomo can be a preferred hang-out for both hawkers of useless crap and pickpockets, so keep an eye out.
5. Climb Either the Duomo’s Dome or Giotto’s Tower
Right in Duomo Square you can take advantage of the height of two of its structures to get great views of the historic city center. The dome of the Duomo, designed by Brunelleschi, not only offers a lovely view but also a quick lesson in architecture as you climb the slanty staircase between the two layered domes (the only way to create a dome of that size at the time) – while the top of the bell tower, designed by Giotto, gives you city views that include a close-up of the dome as well. You may want to climb both, but if you’re on a budget do note that both charge a fee. Anyone interested in design and architecture will want to pick the dome for the history, and if you get a chance to read “Brunelleschi’s Dome” before your trip it’ll make the climb even more meaningful. Also, these climbs are enough to give anyone both vertigo and claustrophobia, whether you’ve had them before or not, so proceed with caution!
6. Watch the Arno Pass Under the Ponte Vecchio
Although the Ponte Vecchio bridge itself is often wall-to-wall people and full of expensive gold jewelry shops (the likes of which I’ll probably never go into), there’s nothing quite like ending a day in Florence perched in the center of the bridge overlooking the river as the sun goes down. Yes, you may well be shoulder to shoulder with lots of other tourists (not to mention teenage Italian lovebirds who are far more interested in making out than the view), but I can still get lost in the movement of the river. I think about how many thousands of people have stood where I’m standing over the past 600+ years. I think about how the Medicis used to walk along the corridor over the bridge from their palace to their offices so as not to mix with (or smell) the commoners. And I think about how lucky I am to have spent the day in such a glorious city. So whatever you think about as you gaze at the Arno from the Ponte Vecchio, I hope you leave with a smile on your face like I always do.
7. Pay Your Respects at Florence’s Famous Graves
Florence is well-known as the birthplace of the Renaissance – not to mention many famous people. Many of its most famous sons were laid to rest in the city, and many of the “celebrity” tombs in Florence can be found in one church – Santa Croce. Among the names you’ll recognize on the elaborate sarcophagi are Galileo, Machiavelli, Rossini, Ghiberti, and Michelangelo himself. There’s also an honorary tomb for Dante, although he’s actually buried in Ravenna. Santa Croce is a pretty open church with a distinctive painted wooden ceiling and featuring frescoes by Giotto, but the main attraction is definitely the famous graves. Another spot to go for famous graves is the Medici Chapel, adjacent to the San Lorenzo Church. There, you’ll find two tombs adorned with sculptures by Michelangelo and containing members of the illustrious Medici family. While you may not know their names as well as you know the names of the people in Santa Croce, without the Medici not only would Florence not be Florence, you might not even know the names of artists like Michelangelo, whose art the Medici sponsored. After visiting the Medici tombs, it’s worth the side trip to the Laurentian Library (with its grand and beautiful staircase designed by Michelangelo) above the nearby cloisters in the same church complex.
8. Check Out the Sculpture at the Bargello
Yes, there’s a lot of art in Florence. And at least two of the city’s most popular galleries routinely have hours-long lines to get in. But luckily, at this point anyway, the Bargello Museum isn’t one of those, despite being to sculpture what the Uffizi is to painting. It’s housed in a former jail, and it contains some incredible early Michelangelo works you may never have heard of, including a fantastic “Bacchus,” and Donatello’s beautiful (and recently restored) bronze “David,” which Michelangelo saw often during his childhood. Also on display are the two entries in the competition which was held to determine who would design the doors for the Baptistery – you can decide for yourself if the right guy won. Although the pieces in the Bargello collection are world-class, the museum tends to be overlooked by most tourists, so it’s a great option for art lovers who are tired of the crowds.
9. Get the Perfect Postcard View from Piazzale Michelangelo
You know that amazing city view you see in all the best postcards of every city you visit around the world? The one that’s basically only possible to re-create if you hire a helicopter or know the person who lives in that incredible penthouse with the view? Well, in Florence, anyone can get that perfect cityscape shot – as long as they know where to go. And you do – head straight for the Piazzale Michelangelo, which overlooks the city from its perch in the hills above the Oltrarno. It’s either a good hike up to the top or a bus route through Florence’s less-scenic neighborhoods to get there, and provided the weather is being kind you’ll be rewarded with the best view of the city you can possibly imagine. The “David” replica at the center of the square lets you add to your fake-”David” count in the city, too. As an added bonus, for those who get to the Piazzale via their own foot power, you’ll get the chance to wander through the Oltrarno (which is the neighborhood on the other side of the Arno river – the name means “beyond the Arno”), which is often overlooked by tourists who cluster around the Duomo. Not up for the hike? Take the bus up the hill and walk back down.
10. Take a Stroll through the Leather Markets
Even if you’re not a shopper, taking a stroll through Florence’s famous leather markets is something that’s worth a few minutes of your time. There are a couple outdoor leather markets in Florence, and they’re within walking distance of one another so you can easily visit both – but I like the one next to San Lorenzo Church because after a stroll through the gauntlet of leather stalls outside you can take a turn through the fabulous Mercato Centrale as well. This indoor market, in a building that dates from the late 19th century, is full of countless food vendors selling everything from the makings of the best picnic lunch you’ll ever have to the ingredients that will populate the menus in restaurants all over the city, as well as several places you can order a ready-made meal. And if you need a food souvenir to bring home (olive oil, dried pasta, or shrink-wrapped cheese, perhaps?) this is the place to go. Just be aware that pickpockets target tourists in the outdoor leather market especially, taking advantage of the close quarters and all the ooh-ing and ahh-ing people are doing over the leather goodies, so make sure your valuables aren’t on display.
You may have lost track of all the fake “David” statues by this point in your wandering around Florence, and you may be wondering where the real one is. Well, although it doesn’t make my top 10 list, the real “David” is in the Accademia and – if you don’t think anything but the original will do – it’s worth a visit. The main reason I didn’t include it here is that it’s a hefty admission fee for one piece of art. Yes, there are other things in the Accademia, but none of them compare to the “David” – and most people make a beeline for Michelangelo’s masterpiece and then head right back out again. So, unless you’re not content seeing the replicas of “David” all over the city and you simply must see the real thing, you can skip the Accademia and not feel too badly about it.
Now, if you’ve got limited time in Florence like I did on that first trip, you’ll be looking for a to-do list that lets you hit the highlights and not miss anything truly important, right? While everyone’s list of “must-see” sights in Florence is going to contain the really big-deal attractions, those lists are also going to have as many differences as they do similarities. So even though I’m delivering my Top 10 Things to Do in Florence below, I hereby give you permission to tailor it to suit your own needs.
As an aside, I have to say that I knew creating this list of the top 10 things to do in Florence would be hard, but I had no idea how hard. Florence is a city that isn’t easily condensed into short to-do lists, as you’ll find when you visit (or already know from past trips). I could probably change this list in a few different ways and be as content with it as I am now – so if your top 10 list looks different than mine, I just might agree with yours, too.
Top 10 Things to Do in Florence (According to Jessica)
1. Tour the Uffizi Gallery
I know this won’t be popular with the art haters out there, but the Uffizi Gallery is definitely my pick for the #1 thing to do in Florence. It’s easily the best collection of Italian paintings on earth, and I think it’s well worth the time if for no other reason than you get to hang out for awhile in a room that’s got enormous Botticelli paintings all over the walls (it’s a surreal experience, like you’re in the paintings). But because it’s just about everyone’s top recommendation for Florence, the Uffizi is also plagued by long lines to get in. You can avoid the worst of the lines by booking your ticket in advance, or by trying to get last-minute tickets at this still-relatively-unknown ticket window. If your time in Florence is short and you can’t get advance tickets, I’m not sure spending 5+ hours in line for the Uffizi is worth it – but this is one art museum that’s worth planning ahead for.
2. Eat Two Scoops of Gelato Every Day
This is actually a rule a friend of mine who lives in Italy established for her guests (and as far as I’m concerned it’s applicable throughout the country), but in Florence – where the gelato is known for being especially fantastic – it’s so important I’m putting it on my to-do list. There are gelato shops all over the city (including my favorite Florence gelateria), but before you dive in you’ll want to read more about how to make sure you’re getting good gelato so you don’t end up disappointed. You can also study these gelato flavors and learn how to order gelato in Italy before your trip, but just take care not to drool on your computer as you read. And if you’re one of those people who actually wants to eat a well-balanced diet even on vacation, then in addition to your gelato desserts be sure to try some of the local Tuscan specialties when you’re dining out – like the famous (and famously gigantic) bistecca Fiorentina!
3. Do Some People-Watching in the Piazza della Signoria
There are a couple of great places to people-watch in Florence, but for my money the best one is the Piazza della Signoria – if for no other reason than the artwork surrounding the square is always fabulous-looking, even if the people in the square aren’t! This gorgeous open piazza is the front “yard” of what was once the ruling Medici family’s home – the Palazzo Vecchio, which has a “David” replica standing at its entrance. The Loggia to the right of the Palazzo Vecchio is a fantastic outdoor sculpture gallery, and though the restaurants lining the square are mostly overpriced you should feel free to bring your gelato cone in from elsewhere to enjoy the view while you eat. If you want to splurge on a sweet treat with a view of the Piazza della Signoria, I recommend getting a cioccolata calda at Rivoire (and sit outside if you can get a table). For a bit of the macabre, find the circular marble plaque toward the middle of the piazza that marks the spot where the monk Savonarola (the “bonfire of the vanities” guy) was burnt at the stake in 1498.
4. See the Sights in Duomo Square
Another excellent spot for people-watching is the nearby piazza in front of the Florence Duomo, although this one is almost always more crowded (or it just always feels more crowded because it’s not as open). The two big sights here are the Duomo (obviously) and the Baptistery, but the main attraction of the Baptistery is actually on the outside. The set of doors that faces the front of the Duomo was designed by Ghiberti in the early 1400s, and a young Michelangelo thought they were so beautiful that they could be the Gates of Paradise. The original panels are now kept in the Duomo Museum, but the replicas on the Baptistery are still gorgeous and still attract quite a crowd. The Duomo’s relatively barren interior can be a bit of a disappointment after seeing its festive exterior, but most of the art was removed to the Duomo Museum after the 1966 flood. Still, entry into the Duomo is free, so if you need a break from the weather or crowds you can wander around inside. Note that especially in the high season the Piazza del Duomo can be a preferred hang-out for both hawkers of useless crap and pickpockets, so keep an eye out.
5. Climb Either the Duomo’s Dome or Giotto’s Tower
Right in Duomo Square you can take advantage of the height of two of its structures to get great views of the historic city center. The dome of the Duomo, designed by Brunelleschi, not only offers a lovely view but also a quick lesson in architecture as you climb the slanty staircase between the two layered domes (the only way to create a dome of that size at the time) – while the top of the bell tower, designed by Giotto, gives you city views that include a close-up of the dome as well. You may want to climb both, but if you’re on a budget do note that both charge a fee. Anyone interested in design and architecture will want to pick the dome for the history, and if you get a chance to read “Brunelleschi’s Dome” before your trip it’ll make the climb even more meaningful. Also, these climbs are enough to give anyone both vertigo and claustrophobia, whether you’ve had them before or not, so proceed with caution!
6. Watch the Arno Pass Under the Ponte Vecchio
Although the Ponte Vecchio bridge itself is often wall-to-wall people and full of expensive gold jewelry shops (the likes of which I’ll probably never go into), there’s nothing quite like ending a day in Florence perched in the center of the bridge overlooking the river as the sun goes down. Yes, you may well be shoulder to shoulder with lots of other tourists (not to mention teenage Italian lovebirds who are far more interested in making out than the view), but I can still get lost in the movement of the river. I think about how many thousands of people have stood where I’m standing over the past 600+ years. I think about how the Medicis used to walk along the corridor over the bridge from their palace to their offices so as not to mix with (or smell) the commoners. And I think about how lucky I am to have spent the day in such a glorious city. So whatever you think about as you gaze at the Arno from the Ponte Vecchio, I hope you leave with a smile on your face like I always do.
7. Pay Your Respects at Florence’s Famous Graves
Florence is well-known as the birthplace of the Renaissance – not to mention many famous people. Many of its most famous sons were laid to rest in the city, and many of the “celebrity” tombs in Florence can be found in one church – Santa Croce. Among the names you’ll recognize on the elaborate sarcophagi are Galileo, Machiavelli, Rossini, Ghiberti, and Michelangelo himself. There’s also an honorary tomb for Dante, although he’s actually buried in Ravenna. Santa Croce is a pretty open church with a distinctive painted wooden ceiling and featuring frescoes by Giotto, but the main attraction is definitely the famous graves. Another spot to go for famous graves is the Medici Chapel, adjacent to the San Lorenzo Church. There, you’ll find two tombs adorned with sculptures by Michelangelo and containing members of the illustrious Medici family. While you may not know their names as well as you know the names of the people in Santa Croce, without the Medici not only would Florence not be Florence, you might not even know the names of artists like Michelangelo, whose art the Medici sponsored. After visiting the Medici tombs, it’s worth the side trip to the Laurentian Library (with its grand and beautiful staircase designed by Michelangelo) above the nearby cloisters in the same church complex.
8. Check Out the Sculpture at the Bargello
Yes, there’s a lot of art in Florence. And at least two of the city’s most popular galleries routinely have hours-long lines to get in. But luckily, at this point anyway, the Bargello Museum isn’t one of those, despite being to sculpture what the Uffizi is to painting. It’s housed in a former jail, and it contains some incredible early Michelangelo works you may never have heard of, including a fantastic “Bacchus,” and Donatello’s beautiful (and recently restored) bronze “David,” which Michelangelo saw often during his childhood. Also on display are the two entries in the competition which was held to determine who would design the doors for the Baptistery – you can decide for yourself if the right guy won. Although the pieces in the Bargello collection are world-class, the museum tends to be overlooked by most tourists, so it’s a great option for art lovers who are tired of the crowds.
9. Get the Perfect Postcard View from Piazzale Michelangelo
You know that amazing city view you see in all the best postcards of every city you visit around the world? The one that’s basically only possible to re-create if you hire a helicopter or know the person who lives in that incredible penthouse with the view? Well, in Florence, anyone can get that perfect cityscape shot – as long as they know where to go. And you do – head straight for the Piazzale Michelangelo, which overlooks the city from its perch in the hills above the Oltrarno. It’s either a good hike up to the top or a bus route through Florence’s less-scenic neighborhoods to get there, and provided the weather is being kind you’ll be rewarded with the best view of the city you can possibly imagine. The “David” replica at the center of the square lets you add to your fake-”David” count in the city, too. As an added bonus, for those who get to the Piazzale via their own foot power, you’ll get the chance to wander through the Oltrarno (which is the neighborhood on the other side of the Arno river – the name means “beyond the Arno”), which is often overlooked by tourists who cluster around the Duomo. Not up for the hike? Take the bus up the hill and walk back down.
10. Take a Stroll through the Leather Markets
Even if you’re not a shopper, taking a stroll through Florence’s famous leather markets is something that’s worth a few minutes of your time. There are a couple outdoor leather markets in Florence, and they’re within walking distance of one another so you can easily visit both – but I like the one next to San Lorenzo Church because after a stroll through the gauntlet of leather stalls outside you can take a turn through the fabulous Mercato Centrale as well. This indoor market, in a building that dates from the late 19th century, is full of countless food vendors selling everything from the makings of the best picnic lunch you’ll ever have to the ingredients that will populate the menus in restaurants all over the city, as well as several places you can order a ready-made meal. And if you need a food souvenir to bring home (olive oil, dried pasta, or shrink-wrapped cheese, perhaps?) this is the place to go. Just be aware that pickpockets target tourists in the outdoor leather market especially, taking advantage of the close quarters and all the ooh-ing and ahh-ing people are doing over the leather goodies, so make sure your valuables aren’t on display.
You may have lost track of all the fake “David” statues by this point in your wandering around Florence, and you may be wondering where the real one is. Well, although it doesn’t make my top 10 list, the real “David” is in the Accademia and – if you don’t think anything but the original will do – it’s worth a visit. The main reason I didn’t include it here is that it’s a hefty admission fee for one piece of art. Yes, there are other things in the Accademia, but none of them compare to the “David” – and most people make a beeline for Michelangelo’s masterpiece and then head right back out again. So, unless you’re not content seeing the replicas of “David” all over the city and you simply must see the real thing, you can skip the Accademia and not feel too badly about it.
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