For Florence, Italy attractions, you’ve landed in the right place.
You can never get bored in fab, fun Florence — that’s why we love it so darn much.
We’re talkin’ rooftop bars overlooking the Arno River at sunset. Secret sweet treat tastings in hidden back rooms. Crazy cool hotels you wish you’d discovered earlier.
The stuff only strappy-sandals-on-the-ground Italian intel can give ya.
That’s us. And we’ve been scoping out the latest hot spots in the city and this is the skinny on what we’re loving in Florence right this second.
Sunsets on the rooftop at Hotel Plaza Lucchesi Florence
When choosing Florence Italy attractions, make sure you get up high so you can see the cityscape. Take this rooftop situation. The view up here rolls all the way up to the olive-tree-dotted hills of Tuscany and serves as the best reminder to always seek higher ground no matter where you travel. Because when the River Arno, green hills and cobblestone are drenched in sunset hues, it’s truly breathtaking. The yummy buffet spread and delish drinks help, too. That’s exactly why we’ve chosen it as the venue for our writing workshop final night get together, because we like to end things on a high note. It’s the perfect place for an apericena party like ours, where we’ll mingle and munch on Italian goodies.
Smelling sexy scents at Santa Maria Novella
Housed in a gorgeous, museum-like building, this is the oldest pharmacy in the world! The apothecary still produces the same perfumes they used to create for royals, and makes every single soap by hand (which last forever), not to mention their almond-paste hand cream and tons more botanically-inspired products that smell delightfully divine. Under-the-radar but with a cult following for people who are in the know, this homage to plants and the birthplace of everything from rosewater to pomegranate perfume (which even made an appearance in Casino Royale) is a must-visit. Come write with us in Italy and we’ll take you to pick the best stuff ourselves!
Strolling through Hotel Brunelleschi
There’s layered history in Florence, and then there’s Hotel Brunelleschi. As it stands, this hotel in the pulsing heart of the city is actually a renovation of two of the oldest buildings in Florence — Pagliazza Tower and the Chiesa di San Michele in Palchetto. Dating back to the sixth and seventh centuries, it is said to have been built by Byzantines during the Gothic War as part of the city walls. It later became a home built by Lombards, and then a women’s prison. The church was built beside it by nuns in 1100. A Roman spa was even discovered in the cellar in 1980! That’s why this hotel plays host to a museum display of all the incredible archaeological finds gathered from the building over the centuries. Oh, and this is where we’ll be writing with our workshop crew next month — no biggie.
Feeling fancy in the Gucci Garden
Vibrant pinks, greens and wall-to-wall Gucci goodies at this new addition to Florence Italy attractions are all the excuses you need to bust out your credit card. Tucked away within the gorgeous Palazzo della Mercanzia, right beside Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio, this spot features one-of-a-kind items designed by Gucci’s creative director, Alessandro Michele. There’s a restaurant on site too, Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura. Our city guide to Florence has all our intel on spots like this. Our founder Bianca was there recently, and she is obsessed.
Garden-party-rooftop vibes at Hotel Baglioni
Okay, sue us. We love rooftops and gardens and the combo of both in Florence, and we aren’t sorry about it. B-Roof at Hotel Baglioni on a sunny day in the city is basically a gorgeous garden rooftop party featuring a crazy dramatic view of the Florence skyline. Perfect for Prosecco with your girls amidst pretty plants. Is there a better way to spend a lazy afternoon in Florence? We think not. Sightsee in the morning, head here right after and park your tush on their comfy chairs. And if you’re coming to our writing workshop in Florence this year, spoiler alert: your first night with us means a multi-course dinner here.
Cantuccini tasting at Museo Bottega
We spilled the Vin Santo on why cantuccini is everything in our post about the best food in Italy, but basically, this is a Tuscan post-dinner tradition that features next-level almond biscotti with a sweet wine. At the newly-opened Museo Bottega, you can do cantuccini tasting in the back room and it’s ah-mazing. Seriously, who doesn’t want to try as many sweet treats in Florence as possible?
Wanna work and play with us in Florence this year?
Let us do the heavy lifting! Join us on a day tour, and we’ll show you our favorite must-sees and off-the-beaten-path locales.
Want more intel on Florence Italy attractions? You’ll enjoy these links:
- Gigi Guides: Florence
- Writing Workshop in Italy
- What To Do In Florence
- Where To Stay In Florence
- Eating in Florence: 4 Things You Should Know
- Restaurants in Florence: 20 Top Choices from Food Critics, Travelers and Locals
Got questions about Florence Italy attractions or our writing workshop? Ask away in the comments below!
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