Out of Office: Notes from Florence
Need more reasons to visit Florence, Italy? Our villa experts are here to help with insider tips about when to go, what to eat, and where to explore.
How do we get our incredible travel tips? Through these posts. As our experts are out visiting the destinations featured in our portfolio, they share with us the best activities, newest attractions, and their favorite villas, supplying us (and you) with an up-to-date account of the area.
Destination: Florence, Italy
Where We Stayed: Apartment Medea
Set inside a beautiful palazzo steps away from Ponte Vecchio, Medea offers a sophisticated interior and an unexpectedly quiet terrace. Under the wisteria-covered pergola, we enjoyed the warm daylight and the inebriating scent of spring flowers.
What We Saw:
This time around, we visited the often overlooked Bargello Museum, which is rich with sculpture, including early works by Michelangelo. We also went to the Museo Bardini, a former convent that now houses an impressive collection of medieval armor and antiquities.
Where We Ate: Gucci Osteria by Massimo Bottura
This newly opened Osteria is a collaboration between the fashion house Gucci and Chef Massimo Bottura, located in the 14th century Palazzo della Mercanzia. “Haute couture and haute cuisine are a recipe made in heaven,” Bottura says. (Don’t miss the pork belly buns and mushroom risotto.)
Why Florence?
Florence takes the top spot this year in Condé Nast Traveler for World’s best city for Art and Culture, as it strikes a perfect balance between the old and new, from Michelangelo's David to the Gucci Museum. And, there’s always something interesting going on…
From late April through June, don’t miss the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a music festival. There will be a series of internationally-acclaimed classical music concerts, recitals, operas, and ballets in venues all across the city. Our concierge will happily reserve your tickets.
On June 24, fabulous fireworks are set off to conclude Florence’s celebration of the city’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist. In the late afternoon, there’ll be an historical football match, preceded by a parade from piazza Santa Maria Novella to piazza Santa Croce.
Until next time,
Margherita & Saffo
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