Florence Captures the Heart
Five Ways Florence Exceeds Expectations
My recent visit confirmed what I had suspected: Florence feels like a city created to showcase all the best of Italy. From incredible food and wine to Renaissance masterpieces, beautiful architecture, fascinating history, and an atmosphere that feels almost magical, Florence has a way of leaving an impression.
Arno River, Florence, Italy
History
Florence truly stands out as the birthplace of the Renaissance, flourishing during the 14th through 16th centuries as a center of art, culture, banking, and political power.
The powerful and influential Medici family, who built their fortune as bankers, played an instrumental role in the city’s growth. They became important patrons of the arts, supporting masters such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli. Their influence helped transform Florence into the remarkable city we admire today.
Family-Run Wine Estate Querceto di Castellina
Food & Wine
Located in Tuscany, Italy’s most famous wine-producing region, Florence is a wonderful destination for food and wine lovers. The city’s restaurants take great pride in their wine selections, while the surrounding countryside provides easy access to the vineyards of Chianti.
Our drive through beautiful vineyards only heightened anticipation as we made our way to a spectacular family-run vineyard, where we toured the property and enjoyed a tasting. Whether you’re a novice experiencing your first wine tasting or an aficionado and collector, spending time among the rolling hills and iconic cypress trees of Tuscany is an unforgettable experience.
Wine Tasting at Querceto di Castellina
Florence’s wonderful café and trattoria culture also makes every meal feel like an experience. Tuscan specialties include bistecca alla fiorentina, fresh pasta, and, of course, gelato.
On our recent visit, Mark and I returned to a charming little restaurant where we had eaten twice on our previous trip. I ordered the ravioli fatta in casa ripieni di ricotta e spinaci, burro e salvia—homemade ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach, served with butter and sage. It was every bit as delicious as I remembered.
Pizza by Candlelight
Art & Architecture
The Duomo is one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks, and seeing it in person is breathtaking. Travelers stand in awe of the magnificent cathedral and Brunelleschi’s extraordinary dome, which dominates the Florence skyline.
Even a casual art lover will want to see Michelangelo’s David in person at the Accademia Gallery. The Uffizi Gallery is another must-see, with its remarkable collection of Renaissance masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
Florence is one of those rare cities where simply walking down the street can feel like stepping into an art history book.
The Florence Duomo, also known as Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral
Location
With a prime location along the Arno River, Florence is picturesque from nearly every angle. I recently had honeymooners contact me to see if they could move their cooking class a little earlier so they could capture sunset photos from just the right spot. Happily, I was able to arrange it for them!
The Ponte Vecchio is not only one of Florence’s most historic landmarks, but also provides a wonderful vantage point for taking in the city and the Arno.
Bologna, Italy
Florence is also ideally positioned for exploring other Tuscan and Italian cities. On this trip, I visited Bologna for the first time, learning about its historic university and cathedral before eating my way around the city on a food tour. Siena was another stop—a beautiful medieval city known for its stunning Piazza del Campo and the Palio di Siena, the famous horse race first held in 1482.
Other wonderful day trips include Lucca, San Gimignano, Pisa, and the vineyards of Chianti.
Siena, Italy
The Vibe
My favorite time of a day in Florence is the evening.
I love wandering through the cobblestone streets and piazzas as the sun begins to fade, stopping to listen to an entertainer singing opera on the steps of a church while a crowd gathers to enjoy the music. Tourists take carriage rides through the historic center, while the Duomo, Piazza della Signoria, and Ponte Vecchio take on an entirely different feel in the soft evening light.
There is something about Florence that is difficult to put into words. It is beautiful, historic, romantic, artistic, and wonderfully Italian all at once. The soul of the city leaves an imprint - and lets you know exactly why Florence receives such high praise.
As our driver told us as we headed to the airport for our flight home, “Florence is like a fairytale.”
After several visits, I have to agree.
Sunset in Florence