Stef’s Five Faves: Florence Edition

I recently published my top-ten travel highlights of 2017, and in the numero-uno spot is a thing I’m going to tell you more about RIGHT IN THIS VERY BLOG POST! It’s the most exciting thing to do in Florence (IMO), it requires two wheels, and — to give you another clue — it starts with a “Ves” and ends with a “pa.” I think you’ve got it! But let’s not blurt the answer out just yet. In this post I’m going to share with you my favorite things in Florence, aka, “Stef’s Five Faves: Florence Edition.”

So let’s get going!

Vrooooooommmmmm.

Florence is an A-lister when it comes to must-experience destinations. It’s the birthplace of the Renaissance, for Pete’s sake! ALL of the Turtles created masterpieces here (Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael). Plus, so many other heavy hitters in the world of Renaissance Art made it a priority to get themselves to the center of it all: Florence. It’d be wise for you to get thee there too!

Once in Florence, here’s what to do:

5. Mercato Centrale

A post shared by Mercato Centrale Firenze (@ilmercatocentralefirenze) on Dec 31, 2017 at 12:06am PST

Well, you’ve got to eat, right? I don’t want you walking around Florence all hangry, taking your hangriness out on innocent bystanders. I know firsthand how low blood-sugar levels can really spoil an outing. So you’ve gotta get some sustenance into ya! And where are you going to do that? Why, in Mercato Centrale, of course.

These days all over Europe you’ll find a very cool and au courant culinary concept: the market hall. In Amsterdam, it’s De Foodhallen; in Lisbon, it’s Time Out Market Lisboa; and in Florence it’s Mercato Centrale. Still not sure what I’m talking about? Rick Steves describes the tasty phenomenon thusly: “Industrial Age glass-and-steel farmers markets … getting a new lease on life as trendy food halls.”

It’s legit, you guys. Mercato Centrale is your one-stop shop for a quick bite or linger-longer lunch. It’s also directly adjacent to San Lorenzo Market. So while you’re in the area, check that out too! The San Lorenzo merchants sell leather jackets, handbags, and more, and while I’ve never actually made a purchase there myself, it’s colorful and fun to trot through.

Once you’re done dining, be sure to satisfy your sweet tooth! Get your gelato fix at either Perche No! or stop at the Venchi on Via dei Calzaiuoli with its giant chocolate wall fountain.

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Now that your belly’s been properly cared for, let’s carry on with more Florentine fun.

4. Rooftops of Florence

Now I’m not suggesting you stealthily sneak into a particularly posh hotel in order to enjoy fantastic Florentine views. Okay. Maybe that’s exactly what I’m suggesting. But perhaps it might be nice if you asked the front-desk staff first, before heading upstairs?

All I’m saying, though, is if you go to the Hotel Torre Guelfa, a two-minute walk from Florence’s Ponte Vecchio bridge (which we’ll be talking about next!), and climb up to their rooftop terrace, you will be rewarded with a mighty fine panoramic view of the city’s orange rooftops and domes.

Speaking of domes, be sure also to check out the famous Duomo during your stay!

Another fantastic viewpoint that deserves a mention is Piazzale Michelangelo – a giant square in the Oltrarno district of Florence featuring a huge bronze statue of David and offering fantastic panoramic vistas of the city below.

Now, moving swiftly along to —

3. Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio, meaning “old bridge” in Italian, is exactly what its name indicates. It’s a medieval bridge lined with shops that spans the river Arno. What were once butcher’s shops now house gold and silver merchants peddling their wares. It’s unique, free to walk across, and is particularly beautiful – if crowded – at sunset. It’s also fun to visit at night when live music sets a festive mood.

2. David and Venus

A post shared by Postcards from Stef (@postcardsfromstef) on Sep 5, 2017 at 7:21am PDT

I already mentioned Florence’s important position in art history, so it’d be remiss of me not to include the top-two art attractions in Firenze: the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia.

If you don’t want to waste your precious time, reservations are a must.

The Uffizi Gallery is home to the “greatest collection of Italian paintings anywhere” — to quote Rick Steves yet again — including works by Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, and more. For me, the highlights are Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and “Spring.”

The Accademia is a smaller museum that hosts Florence’s most famous resident. It’s where you go to hang with Michelangelo’s “David!” He’s not much of a conversationalist, but is definitely worth laying eyes upon. An incredible and priceless work of art, it’s even more impressive when you realize Michelangelo completed David before the age of 30. [Which begs the question, what have I been doing with my life?]

Side note: The lesser-known Bargello Gallery also merits exploring. It’s less crowded than the Uffizi and Accademia, but is full of incredible sculptures by masters such as Donatello and Michelangelo. Plus, it’s interesting from an architectural standpoint, with its beautiful inner courtyard.

And now, the moment I’ve been waiting for —

1. Vespa Tour

Last July I signed up for a Vespa tour in Florence. I’d never actually driven a Vespa before, but my previous two-wheel experience — i.e. riding scooters around the islands of Moorea and Bermuda — definitely helped.

I booked the Vespa excursion through My Tour at Via de’ Martelli, 33r, in Florence (thanks to a recommendation from fellow-blogger Adventures with Sarah), and they were great! I felt like Audrey Hepburn in “Roman Holiday” or Lizzy McGuire in the “Lizzy McGuire Movie!”

The tour I opted for — from Florence to Fiesole (an Etruscan town northeast of Florence where Mark Twain once laid his head!) — isn’t actually listed on their website. It seems they have more of an offering if you visit their shop locally, as opposed to just viewing their tours online. To sign up, go to “My Tours” at least one day ahead with your credit card and driver’s license handy.

You’ll do a test drive beforehand to make sure you actually know what the heck you’re doing. If not, you have the option of riding with one of their drivers — which may cost slightly more. I aced the “trial” and lucked out as it ended up being a private tour for me, but I believe you’re usually in a group.

If I’m remembering correctly, the Florence to Fiesole tour was approximately 75 Euros and lasted about two-and-a-half hours. Since I rated it as my top experience of 2017, I’d say it certainly was worth the splurge!

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That wraps up my coverage of Florence. Hope to see you there soon. And be sure to let me know what I missed in the comments section!

For more on my travels and recommendations, be sure to subscribe below. You can also catch me on Instagram: @postcardsfromstef, on Twitter: @postcards_stef, and by following Postcards from Stef on Facebook. Ciao for now and Grazie for joining me!