Last fall I spent a dream week in Florence, Italy—with a day trip to Venice—traveling with three close friends. We ate, wandered, and soaked up so much art and atmosphere. I’ve already shared how I packed light for this trip, so here I’ll recap what we did, saw, and tasted. If you’re planning a visit to Florence (or Venice), this summary highlights the best experiences, a few places worth skipping, and practical tips that might save you time and money.
I traveled with Elsie and Emma from A Beautiful Mess and Elise Joy. Over the years we’ve visited each other’s towns, gone antiquing, and celebrated milestones together—so for Emma’s 40th we decided on an international trip. None of us had been to Italy before, and Florence’s art, architecture, outdoor markets, and pasta made it the perfect choice.
We used a travel agent to book hotels, transport, and tours. It was my first full experience with an agent and it removed a lot of stress, though a couple of booked activities didn’t turn out as expected. Still, having someone coordinate logistics made the trip smoother overall.
We stayed at the charming boutique Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco. The lobby, atrium, and rooftop nooks were lovely, and my fourth-floor room opened onto a small patio—perfect for unwinding after a day of sightseeing.
One thing we appreciated was having at least one planned activity each day, with free time around it. That unstructured time let us explore, shop, and relax. One morning we painted small watercolor landscapes on the hotel rooftop, which became one of our favorite memories.
I brought a small notebook for sketches and painted with a compact watercolor kit from Etsy that a friend brought. It was light, portable, and ideal for rooftop journaling.
Getting To & Around Italy
We flew into Florence, connecting from Chicago through Munich. A taxi arranged by our agent brought us to the hotel, and after that we explored Florence on foot for the next four days. The city is very walkable and most attractions are centrally located—bring comfortable shoes and enjoy wandering. We visited in early November, when the weather was clear and sunny.
The only other transport we used was an intercity train for our Venice day-trip. Our agent booked the tickets, and we were able to change them easily ourselves. Both Florence and Venice train stations are walkable from the main areas, making trains a simple option for day trips.
What We Did In Florence
Here are the highlights of our tours, museums, and unique finds.
Women of Florence Walking Tour: This private walking tour was a favorite. Our guide, a local woman close to our age, tailored the route to our interests: painting, architecture, and female artists and artisans. She introduced us to a violin-maker who crafts Stradivarius-style instruments and even had roots in California—one of those delightful, unexpected local connections.
The Duomo is enormous and breathtaking in person—photos don’t capture its scale. Florence’s centuries-old craftsmanship and architecture are everywhere, and a guided walking tour helps you appreciate the details.
Giunti Odeon: A delightful combination of bookstore and cinema. The building’s architecture is beautiful, the upstairs viewing area is special, and the books—both English and Italian—made it a pleasant place to browse and linger.
Uffizi Gallery: Our favorite museum in Florence. Seeing Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus in person was unforgettable; the hand-painted ceilings and connected rooms are stunning. We did a private tour here and were lucky to have the same guide from our walking tour—an uncommon pleasure that made the visit extra special.
Gucci Galleria: Surprisingly delightful. The exhibits showcase decades of design, and a room demonstrating scarf creation was fascinating. A mirrored room of bags creates an endless effect—fun, visually striking, and easy to visit between larger museums.
Ikigai Tattoo Studio: A spontaneous, memorable stop. Three of us booked small tattoos without appointments and left with beautiful, delicate designs done by talented female artists. If a trip-tattoo tradition appeals to you, this studio is welcoming and skilled.
Peggy Guggenheim (Venice): On our Venice day-trip, Peggy Guggenheim’s collection was the highlight. The museum is housed in her former home and includes a beautiful garden where she’s buried. It’s smaller and intimate compared with larger institutions, so a self-guided visit is perfectly enjoyable.
Where We Ate In Florence
Buca San Giovanni: A hidden gem recommended by a local. Tucked down steps into a cozy cove-like dining room, the food and service were exceptional. It felt authentically loved by locals—definitely worth seeking out.
Paszkowski: A classic bakery and coffee spot with pastries and a pleasant outdoor seating area for people-watching. Locals frequent it, and it’s a reliable stop for espresso and small treats.
Gilli: A historic café known for excellent coffee and hot chocolate. We enjoyed small plates and sat outside—this is where we learned about Buca San Giovanni.
Cacio e Pepe: We had the dish at a restaurant devoted to this classic pasta and agreed it was the best pasta of the trip—simple, perfectly executed, and unforgettable.
La Bottega Di Via Maggio: A tiny restaurant with fresh-made gnocchi—three varieties we loved. Intimate and delicious.
Gelato: Honestly, gelato anywhere in Florence is excellent. Our group favored cherry flavor as a standout, but sampling local gelato is an essential part of the experience.
Where We Shopped In Florence
Ugo Poggi: A beautiful shop for plates, glassware, and ceramics. Prices range from splurge to surprisingly affordable pieces—perfect for finding a memorable dinnerware item.
Santo Spirito Vintage Market: Held the second Sunday of each month, this vintage market was a highlight. We found jewelry, scarves, art, and unique vintage treasures—much more rewarding than other markets we visited.
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella: A historic apothecary selling perfumes, soaps, and candles in an architecturally beautiful space. The products and the setting were both delightful.
Calzaiuoli Leather Factory: A leather shop recommended by a local we met; several of us left with soft, well-crafted leather bags. Quality Italian leather is hard to resist.
Things We’d Skip
Vasari Corridor: We paid extra to tour this corridor after the Uffizi and found it underwhelming. Much of the notable artwork has been moved to the Uffizi, and the corridor felt like a plain, recently refurbished hallway. We would spend that money elsewhere next time.
Row Venice (Cichetto Row): This experience turned out to be a rowing challenge rather than a relaxed gondola ride with snacks. Because of a misunderstanding we canceled on arrival; if you want an active, athletic experience on the water, it could be a fun choice, but it wasn’t what we expected.
More Favorite Trips
If you enjoy travel recaps, here are other trips and packing guides I’ve shared, including a girls’ trip to Sedona and tips for packing light for Europe.
- A Girls’ Trip To Sedona
- How I Packed Light for Italy
- How I Packed Light For France
- Our Trip to Mexico with Kids… and a Dog!
- Costa Rica with Kids
- A Weekend in Charleston, South Carolina with Kids
- Palm Springs, California with Kids
- New Orleans With Kids
- 5 Things We Loved In Dallas, Texas
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