VISITING
FLORENCE
where to stay
Hotel Calimala Florence
Grand Hotel Cavour Florence
Hotel Roma
Palazzo Alfieri Residenza d’epoca
Hotel Balestri
where to EAT & drink
La Buchetta
La Giostra
Osteria delle Tre Panche
Buca Lapi
Al Antico Vinai
Mercato Centrale
Casa Toscana
Ristorante Il Bongusto
Cira and Sons
Art on Rooftop
Locale Firenze
Loggia Rooftop Bar
Firstglass
THINGS TO DO
Pasta making class at Pasta Class Florence
A highlight of Florence—an incredible pasta-making class where we learned to make multiple fresh pasta dishes from scratch. Our chef kept it fun the whole time, and the wine kept flowing. Great food, lots of laughs, and one of the most memorable meals of the trip.
Sightseeing
Florence Cathedral (“The Duoma”) - most iconic landmark, famous for its massive red dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. You can climb the dome or the bell tower for incredible views over the city.
Uffizi Gallery - art museums and home to masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Sandro Botticelli
Accademia Gallery - home to the David by Michelangelo. Definitely book tickets early in advance!
Watch the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo
Watching the sunset at Piazzale Michaelagelo is a quintessential Florence experience; offering panoramic views of the city, including the Arno River, Ponte Vecchio, and the Duoma. I would arrive an hour before sunset, because it can become very crowded. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of wine to enjoy on the steps!
Shopping for leather goods
While in Florence, don’t miss the chance to shop for its world-famous leather goods—an experience rooted in centuries of craftsmanship. For the best quality and a more authentic feel, we recommend exploring the Oltrarno neighborhood, where you’ll find smaller artisan workshops and handmade pieces. As a tip, try to avoid the leather stalls around Mercato Centrale, as they can be quite pushy and are often geared toward tourists. Instead, take your time browsing and enjoy discovering something truly special to bring home.
A few of our favorites:
Bottega Giotti
Furla
Madova Gloves
Misuri
Poker Leather Goods
Coccinelle
travel tips
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In major cities, you’ll find that contactless payment (tap to pay) is accepted just about everywhere. Throughout Italy, you won’t have any problems finding ATMs, and most shops, restaurants, and tour operators will also accept credit cards. I always recommend having some cash on you for small purchases.
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The best way to get around Florence is almost entirely on foot. The historic center is very compact, and most of the major sights are within a 10–20 minute walk of each other. Taxis are safe and you can find a taxi stand or use itTaxi/FreeNow app. Drew and I have used Ubers and never had a problem!
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We highly recommend placing Apple AirTag in your luggage—these have saved Drew and me on multiple occasions! It’s also important to attach a luggage tag with your contact information. As an extra precaution, consider keeping a photo of your bag and packing essentials (like medications or a change of clothes) in your carry-on.
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The plugs in Italy are Type C, F, and L. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the standard frequency is 50Hz. I recommend buying a universal adapter (make sure it has surge protection) and using a converter for hairdryers and hot tools.