A trip to Florence is not complete without a walk across the Ponte Vecchio and dipping into its fabled shops.
Santa Croce, rebuilt for the Franciscan order in 1294 by Arnolfo di Cambio, is the burial place for the great and good in Florence. Michelangelo is buried in Santa Croce, as are Rossini, Machiavelli, and the Pisan-born Galileo Galilei, who was tried by the Inquisition and was not allowed a Christian burial until 1737, 95 years after his death.
Created in the 16th century, the Boboli Gardens feature a myriad of different sections including a main lawn with a fountain and obelisk, a selection of worldly trees, plants and flowers, and several large ponds complete with water features.
Florence's Galleria dell' Academia holds important paintings and sculptures from the 13th-16th centuries. Michelangelo's David, probably the most famous sculpture in the world, is in the Galleria dell' Academia as well as other sculptures by Michelangelo. You'll also find an interesting collection of musical instruments, begun by the Medici family.
Possibly the most renowned and well-known sculptures in the world, the Statue of David is a magnificent piece of renaissance art created by the legendary artist Michelangelo. This statue depicts the biblical hero David who was said to be the first King of Israel and it is renowned due to its fantastic detail and unwavering accuracy of depicting the human form. The original statue can be found in the Galleria dell’Accademia and a replica stands proudly at the entrance of the Palazzo Vecchio.
Take the time to visit one of the closed food markets in the center of Florence. San Lorenzo Market is the largest and oldest one, here you’ll get the chance to live the real florentine feel… you will smell, see and touch the freshest products and above all you will get to taste whatever catches your attention!
Some of the best gelato ever! Homemade with fresh, local ingredients in season. Buonissimo! We also recommend Riva Reno, La Carraia, Venchi, and Badiani for good gelato. Stay far from gelaterias in main piazzas and streets with bright/artificial colors and piled high. It looks enticing but it's a trap!
Delve deeper into Italian cuisine during a cooking lesson in Tuscany; escape the bustle of Florence for a serene Tuscan farmhouse; master the techniques crucial to making authentic pizza and gelato; learn recipes and skills that will impress friends and family at home; get to know other travelers as you feast on a 3-course meal with drinks.
You’ll be taken to the marvelous countryside. After a short drive you’ll reach a charming, friendly estate where you'll spend some time peering around the stables, get to know the ponies, dogs and cats and take some snaps. Here you’ll get you ready with a quick pre-riding lesson, making sure you can enjoy your ride safely during the approximate 1.5-hour ride through a scenic landscape. You’ll stop at an ancient olive oil mill and learn about the processes involved in producing olive oil. A taste of their gourmet olive oil will reveal all the incredible flavors that their work and passion generate. Next stop: a boutique winery where you’ll visit the ancient cellars and learn all the secrets of wine production. Finally, you will be offered a rich Tuscan meal enriched by a pleasant wine tasting of fine local wines in the heart of the Chianti. You will then be taken back to Florence with a relaxed and scenic drive.
Guided tour lets you see Tuscany highlights in a single day; skip the hassle of renting a car with round-trip transport from Florence; gain in-depth knowledge through guide commentary and detailed maps; three-course winery lunch and wine tasting included; upgrade for a skip-the-line admission ticket to the Leaning Tower of Pisa; and prepaid entrance fee to explore Siena Cathedral saves time in line.
There is something about sipping Chianti on a vine-covered hillside in Tuscany, and you can do just that on a wine tour from Florence. Keep in mind, the bride and groom will be planning a tour to the countryside, so please stay tuned and keep us posted if you'd like to join!