Florence

One of our favorite accommodations in the city, the NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa is a stunning property. We stayed here over the Christmas holidays and it was beautifully decorated and made our time even more special. The service was great, and the rooms were large, and it was within walking distance to everything. If you're looking for a hotel that is in the best area (including walking distance to the train station), this is your spot!

The first time we stayed in Florence, we stayed at Benci House. The location is fantastic -- away from the crowds but still close to everything. The hotel had a nice balcony that overlooked the street that leads to the Arno River, and we enjoyed some wine while it rained. If you're looking for a quieter place to stay with a modern, spa-like environment, we definitely recommend staying here. Book ahead as there are only 4 rooms.

There are so many things to love about this restaurant. It’s not in the main tourist area, but it’s close enough to walk. It has an awesome open kitchen concept, and it's not too big of a restaurant, making it very cozy. They take particular care to use locally sourced ingredients. Their menu changes seasonally, so you’ll see new and interesting things to try on the menu. You have the choice of doing a la carte or a tasting menu - which are very reasonably priced. We love their chitarra pasta, which is a staple on the menu. Their pork secondi dish is also excellent. If you happen to be there in fall or winter, they also have a dessert that will remind you of the best apple pie a la mode you’ve ever had! Reservations are a must!

Located on the south side of the Arno river, and just a bit away from centro, folks that come here aren’t just meandering by - it’s a destination. With exposed brick and white tablecloths - this is a perfect place to try a bistecca alla fiorentina. As is custom, the steaks are priced by the kilo, and what’s available that evening is based on the cuts of meat they have on hand. If you’re traveling by yourself or with just another person and wanting a steak, come hungry! We plan out our meals for that day when it’s just the two of us, so that we can enjoy the steak. If you’re not a steak eater, don’t worry! They also serve delicious pastas and of course, our favorite, wonderful desserts.

Located across the Arno in the Santo Spirito neighborhood, don’t let the non-central location make you think this is a walk-up place. The area is hip and well-known, which means you need a reservation to get in here. You’ll often see a line outside, and unprepared diners are likely to be refused, as the restaurant will be full most evenings. They serve traditional Tuscan cuisine in a dark and moody, yet inviting atmosphere. They have their own forno (oven) and gastronomia (deli), so you know you’re going to get high quality breads, meats, and cheeses. Their pasta is excellently prepared. All in all - you’re going to enjoy your meal here!

This intimate restaurant is stunning. It has very few tables so book ahead of time! Being in the city center, you’ll have many passers-by that haven’t thought ahead, peek in, and disappointingly continue down the street, with the realization the restaurant is filled for the night and there are no spots for spontaneous, unannounced diners. They have an extensive choice of menu options, so everyone will be able to find something they enjoy. We recommend trying at least one dish with black truffle, a delicacy of the region!

Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio is an incredible market that’s just a bit outside of the typical tourist district. There are a ton of great vendors to get groceries to take home, or to have a low key meal right there. We’ve stopped by La Caffeterria del Vecchio Mercato and had some of the most incredible sandwiches (panini) here - and they were only 6 euro for 2. This was such an affordable and substantial meal!

Sbrino has 3 locations, all of which are in the Oltrarno neighborhood. It’s worth the trek if you happen to be staying north of the river. They use 100% organic milk and they’ve been recognized by Gambero Rosso as one of the best gelato shops in Florence. You’ll get great quality gelato here! When you come, be sure to look at the menu for their seasonal, unique flavors.

La Strega Nocciola has had great success and now has 6 stores, with locations in Rome and Florence. In Florence, three of the locations are south of the river, but the one that we went to is located a short distance from the Duomo. While by no means a secret, it’s located down a nondescript street with less foot traffic. We usually steer clear of places near major attractions, but the quality and rich flavors of La Strega Nocciola were phenomenal and a gelato spot not to be missed.

We don’t claim to be art experts, but one of the most impressive pieces we’ve ever seen is the Statue of David, located in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze. The museum does have more to see than just David, including other Michelangelo sculptures, paintings, and musical instruments. As you might imagine, David is the primary attraction and what draws the crowds. There are several ways to purchase tickets in advance, which we recommend to avoid the long lines for general admission.

For art aficionados and Renaissance enthusiasts, there are very few, if any, places in the world that top the Uffizi. Originally built as an office building (uffizi translates to offices) by the Medici family in the 1500s, it has been open to the public since 1769. A museum since 1865, the Uffizi Gallery is home to thousands of pieces of art! Most people spend several hours here so plan accordingly. Be aware that the museum is closed on Mondays and books up well in advance. We suggest booking your tickets way ahead of time!

The Florence Cathedral is one of the most recognized buildings in the world, full stop. An architectural masterpiece when it was finished in 1436, the construction of the dome required many new inventions in order to be completed. To date, it is still the world’s largest masonry dome. The footprint of the cathedral is massive, with 8,300 square meters of floor area. The architecture is a wonder to look at, with Neo-Gothic and Renaissance inspirations from the over 200-year construction period. There are multiple options that you can choose from to see the Cathedral. Some are free, some require payment. Regardless, remember that this is active place of worship and there are dress codes for certain areas.

One of the most iconic bridges of all time, the Ponte Vecchio was the only bridge in Florence that wasn’t destroyed during World War II. As you cross the bridge, there are merchant shops built up along its sides for the many gold and jewelry vendors. Since this is a pedestrian only bridge that connects two high traffic areas on each side of the Arno, it does get pretty congested, but it’s worth it for the experience. A very picturesque bridge, you’ll definitely want to see it from afar to capture the beauty of the unique colors, the arches, and the unique residences built into the structure. Be sure to walk down to the other nearby bridges to take some photos, both during the day and at night!

For the most stunning vista of the city, Piazzale Michelangelo is the place to go. Located south of the Arno river, you’ll get to see the Ponte Vecchio, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, and the rest of the Florence skyline with the signature terracotta roofs on almost every building within sight. There is also a smaller, bronze replica of the Statue of David that is worth seeing. To get here, it is about a 30-minute walk with about 60 meters of elevation from the Cathedral. If the weather isn’t cooperating, or if walking isn’t an option, it can be reached by bus or car as well.

Italy’s history of making leather goes back centuries, with Florence playing an important role. Our favorite store to shop for high quality leather goods is the Scuola del Cuoio, which was established after World War II to teach war orphans the art of creating leather items. Its primary function is training new artisans, but we love that we can buy from the talent the school produces! We both purchased a belt that we had adjusted on-the-spot for the appropriate size that we needed. It makes for a fun and special memory, and buying here guarantees that you are purchasing an authentic leather piece.

For steak lovers, this is a must try. Like many other things Italian, there are specific qualifications that make a Bistecca alla Fiorentina. The cut must be from a breed of cattle called the Chianina. The Chianina could be the oldest breed of cattle in existence, and are known for their lean meat. The cut of meat is a T-bone, and it must be at least 3 fingers thick. There is no marinade; it is cooked over a bed of hot coals, then flavored with salt and olive oil after resting. It is cooked to sanguinoso - which means rare. The end product is a very high quality, delicious, and substantial steak. It is highly recommended to share this steak with others, as it's a huge portion of meat! It’s often difficult for just the two of us to finish.

Tuscany is fortunate to have truffle season year-round. While varieties of truffle each have their own time of year they can be found, there are multiple different types that are found in the Tuscany region around Florence. Most of the year, varieties of black truffle are available. While not as rare as white truffles, black truffles are still prized and only found in very few places throughout the world. These are best enjoyed when shaved fresh as part of your meal. They are typically normally charged by the ounce, so sure to specify how much you want when they are shaving them at the table. A very special treat!

Invented at Giacosa in 1919, this is one of our favorite drinks pre-meal. Composed of ⅓ sweet vermouth, ⅓ campari, and ⅓ gin, it’s a wonderfully bitter drink that satiates you for the cuisine of the evening. We recommend going late in the afternoon for aperitivo and getting one where it all started!

The Tuscany region is world-renowned for its Sangiovese grapes. The region produces some of the best wine in the world. At the top of the list for Tuscany is the Brunello di Montalcino and its younger version - Rosso di Montalcino. Both varietals come from the area around the commune of Montalcino, which is about a 2-hour drive south of Florence. They are made with 100% Sangiovese grapes, and pair well with the Bistecca alla Fiorentina.

The Brunello di Montalcino is not the only world famous wine out of Tuscany. Known for its famous logo, the black rooster, the Chianti Classico is also made primarily with sangiovese grapes - they must be at least 80%. The region that Chianti Classico DOCG can be produced is all over Tuscany, thus is going to be easier to find with more producers than the Brunello di Montalcino/Rosso di Montalcino. It is a wonderful wine to have with meats and cheeses.