Tag Archives: Florence

Things to do in Florence

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Florence is filled with fantastic food and staggering art; much is still the same hundreds of years after the masters lived and worked here. From the top of the startlingly huge Duomo, the city seems quiet and calm but, down on the cobbled streets, tourists flood the cafes and galleries, everyone eager to get a glimpse of authentic Italian life and history. Everything is within walking distance and in just one weekend I managed to see many of the main attractions, and tried at least six gelato shops!

To stay

Residenza d’Epoca in Piazza della Signoria: this charming little B&B is perfectly located for a weekend of sightseeing… just at the corner of Piazza della Signoria. The rooms are spacious and grand, bathrooms are filled with Etro toiletries and breakfast is served at a lovely communal table with the other guests.
Il Salviatino: this heavenly five star hotel is just outside the main city, but is so worth the fifteen minute drive. A 15th century villa perched on a hilltop – the views are beautiful and the facilities are divine. Memorable and magical.
JK Place: this is the ideal small boutique hotel for those hoping for a place with both five-star luxury and character. A few minutes walk from the main train station and the main attractions, it is as convenient as it is lovely.

To eat

Il Palagio, Four Seasons: The hotel is in the Santa Croce area slightly removed from the main city centre. It is one of the most special Four Seasons I have ever visited, with huge private garden and a top notch Michelin star restaurant serving wonderful Italian dishes and wines.
Il Pizzaiuolo: hands down the best pizza in town, this little eatery is always packed. Locals and the odd tourist huddle round tables gorging on the freshest Neapolitan pizzas. Opt for a glass of Prosecco to wash it all down.
Ice-cream at Grom, Perche No! and Emporio: we tried all the gelato we could find, indulging in several cones a day. Every shop is slightly different, offering their own special flavours and using particular secret techniques. For luxury creaminess Grom is the place to go, Perche No! offers incredible flavours and Emporio is a lovely stopover on the south side of the river.

To drink

Rivoire: this busy café is a landmark chocolatier and pasticceria. Enjoy your coffee while watching the chaos of Florence’s most popular square, Piazza della Signoria.
Volume: sit at the bar and observe the weird and wonderful surroundings while enjoying a fruity cocktail or a calorific crepe. Located in the hip area of Piazza Santo Spirito.

To see

Michelangelo’s David – housed in the Academia, expect giant queues for this famous statue. For express entrance invest in a Firenze card which will get you in super fast!
The Uffizi: holding perhaps the most famous collection of art in the world and it should be the first stop on your Florence to do list. Room 10 holds the most familiar paintings, Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera.

To do

Climb to the top of the Duomo:  You will be quite taken aback when you first see the great Duomo, an amazing architectural feat. Climb to the top (prepare for several hundred steps) and enjoy the views of Florence.
Wander across the Vecchio bridge: The Ponte Vecchio is a medieval stone “closed-spandrel segmental arch” bridge over the Arno River. Try to visit early in the morning to avoid the painfully slow dawdling tourists, and grab a bargain from one of the numerous gold jewellery shops. If you are very lucky you may be able to arrange a walk though the special passageway from the Duomo across the bridge.
Take a photo: much to my delight we stumbled across this vintage black and white Fotoautomatica machine on Via Dell Agnolo. For just 2 euros you can take four different shots, which appear a few minutes later in retro black and white. Strike your best Italian pose!

To shop

Mio Concept Store: this shop is designed by Lenotta Studio and sells a fun collection of bits and bobs, ranging from designer gifts and jewellery to unusual kitchenware.
Il Papiro: is the one of the oldest stationery shops in Florence and is so popular with British tourists that they are soon opening a branch in London. Offering personalised alphabet stationery and beautiful hand marbled paper, it is very easy to spend a fortune in this beautiful shop.
Pharmaceutia: Opened in 1612 by Dominican friars this pharmacy is certainly one of a kind. Here you will find ornate bottles of colognes, oils and elixirs all concocted from historic formulae. If you want one souvenir I’d recommend the Acqua della Regina perfume.

To visit

Gucci Museum: A stylish and slick alternative to the work of the great masters, for fashionistas this museum is a must. See all the fashion triumphs and admire the leather bags, gorgeous accessories and Gucci frocks, all arranged beautifully.
Museo di Palazzo Vecchio: This massive, Romanesque palace is among the most impressive town halls of Tuscany. Overlooking the Piazza della Signoria with its copy of Michelangelo’s David as well the gallery of statues in the adjacent Loggia dei Lanzi, it is one of the most significant public squares in Italy.
San Marco Monastery: This lovely convent is free to see but is open at odd times. Admire the Madonna and Child alterpiece by Fra Angelico and light a candle for a loved one.

Out of Town: Conquer two cities by flying in to Pisa and pop over to see the leaning tower before travelling home.

Many thanks to Firenze Cards and the Florence Tourist board for their help with this trip.

Il Palagio, Four Seasons, Florence

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Refined and ravishing, the Four Seasons Florence is perhaps the most dazzling of the Four Seasons properties I have visited. Before entering Il Palagio, the Michelin-starred hotel restaurant, we had time to take a peek at the palatial central courtyard and the luscious flower-filled gardens.

The resplendent dining room was empty when we sat down for an early dinner but soon filled up with couples celebrating special occasions. Lilac roses adorned the tables, chandeliers hung from the ceiling, and impressive paintings covered the walls.

Upon settling down at our table, we were presented with glasses of Ca’del Bosco, a lovely bubbly from Erbusco, which served as the perfect aperitivo.

Iberico de Bellota ham Joselito ‘Gran Reserva’ was an unconventional choice in a top Italian restaurant but we couldn’t resist trying a plate of this superior cured meat. It didn’t disappoint, presented with wonderfully ripe green figs.

‘Bollito’ beef salad with frisée and roasted peppers cream was a very authentic and traditional recipe, made from slow-cooked beef. The meat was richly flavoured and paired with a light red pepper dressing, it didn’t look particularly appetising but it tasted divine.

Ravioli is my all time favourite dish and on Italian menus it is what I look for first. After discovering a delicious ravioli option on the Il Palagio menu, I didn’t even need to look at the rest of the pasta list – my mind was made up. Ricotta cheese and zucchini raviolini with tomato sauce was exquisite, so fresh, completely homemade, with lightly grilled courgette flowers and basil – it makes me salivate to remember it now.

My guest, a seafood fan, chose the Cavatelli pasta ’cacio e pepe’ with marinated red prawns and baby squid. A pale and pretty bowl of aromatic pasta covered in the most addictive, creamy sauce. The seafood was ultra-fresh and a lovely addition.

Roasted ‘Cinta Senese’ suckling pig with apple crème, glazed pig trotters,braised onion and black cabbage was the ideal meat option. A pretty layout of different ingredients and components on the plate, every mouthful was a delight. The meat was tender and delicious, covered in a smooth, sweet gravy. We managed to scrap the plate clean even after our big bowls of pasta.

After a petite course of the finest soft and hard cheeses and a sweet amuse-bouche of sorbet and melon it was time for desserts. Pudding was the least exciting course, slightly forgettable hazulnut and cream cake and a chocolate cylinder with a caramel sauce. Macarons, limoncello and coffee completed the Michelin starred meal.

A truly elegant hotel, a beautiful dining room and a kitchen producing excellent food, Il Palagio is hard to fault, a real Florentine masterpiece.

More information and book here.

Many thanks to Firenze Cards and the Florence Tourist board for their help with this trip.

JK Place restaurant, Florence

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I felt instantly enchanted by the homely and endearing property, JK Place. With its own bespoke scent flavouring the air, distinctive furniture and interesting books occupying every corner, many could be tricked into thinking it is a stately home rather than a hotel. Passionately Florentine, JK Place intends to inspire all its guests with the same enthusiasm for this enchanting city.

With just twenty rooms, it was sadly unable to host us during our weekend in Florence, but instead we were given a taste of their esteemed Italian cuisine al fresco on their terrace overlooking Piazza Santa Maria Novella. JK Place encapsulates Florentine culture – naturally relaxed and stylish, with an amazing attention to detail.

The restaurant is casual, ideal for a lazy weekend brunch or lunch – we enjoyed a tapas style meal here on our last day in Florence. We were greeted with glasses of fine sparkling Prosecco and a menu of dishes, each available in starter or main size.

Our appetites had diminished slightly in the sweltering weather, so we just chose a few small plates to share and taste. Unsurprisingly the pasta dishes stood out particularly the ravioli with sweet cherry tomatoes, and the spaghetti with pine nuts and pesto. I loved my ultra-fresh caprese salad with mozzarella that melted in the mouth and wonderfully red tomatoes.

For dessert I couldn’t resist indulging in the typical Italian sweet, Tiramisu. This arrived in a giant bowl; the recipe you could imagine passed down through the generations. Light, fluffy and well-balanced layers, I somehow managed to finish it off.

Unlike most of the other luxury hotels, JK Place is just a few minutes walk from Florence train station. I recommend popping in for some last minute Italian grub just before you run to catch the train.

More information and book here: www.jkplace.com

Many thanks to Firenze Cards and the Florence Tourist board for their help with this trip.