The Florence Adventure

Hi guys! Today I’m taking you back to 2008… To graduate in Hotel Management I had to do a four month internship in a hotel. I really wanted to go to Italy, so I travelled to Florence to visit some hotels and do some networking. And luckily it paid off! I was offered a position at the Small Leading Hotel of the World, Hotel Helvetia & Bristol. So one year later… A dopo Belgo! Ciao Firenze! My Erasmus internship in Florence has been the experience of a lifetime and I still cherish the best memories about my time there. Florence quickly became my favorite city in the world and will forever hold a very special place in my heart. So just like I did with the guests of the Helvetia & Bristol Hotel back in the days, I’d love to share with you the landmarks you cannot miss out on when travelling to Florence.

Admire the sights at the Piazza del Duomo

You haven’t been to Florence, if you haven’t spent some time at the glorious Piazza del Duomo. Some of Florence’s most important landmarks are located on this square. The Santa Maria del Fiore is one of the most famous cathedrals in Italy, because of it’s unique dome made by Filippo Brunelleschi. It’s quite the climb up, but once there, you will be rewarded with the most spectacular views of Florence.  The Campanile or bell tower is one of the showpieces of the Florentine Gothic architecture, with its design by Giotto, its rich sculptural decorations and the marble encrustations.

Another main sight upon the Piazza del Duomo are the bronze doors on the Baptistery of San Giovanni, also called the “Gates of Paradise”. While undoubtedly impressive, these are actually replicas, the actual doors having been moved inside the Duomo Museum.

Enjoy a gelato at Piazza della Republica

The Piazza della Repubblica is my favorite square in Florence. At our apartment there was no garden or terrace, so every night I went to this lovely piazza to enjoy the outdoors and some yummy gelato. Pizza della Republica was created at the end of the nineteenth century as part of an ambitious project to redevelop the historic center of Florence. Its most impressive sight is the Arcone, a triumphal arch.

More gorgeous sights at Piazza della Signoria

Piazza della Signoria is definitely Firenze’s most beautiful square. A lot of the city’s main points of interest are located on this square. In medieval times Piazza della Signoria was the political center of the city and the entire Italian Renaissance. One of the most memorable buildings on the square is the Palazzo Vecchio, which was the seat of power during the reign of the Medici family. In front of the palace you’ll find a replica of the David of Michelangelo.


Next to Palazza Vecchio lays the Loggia dei Lanzi. In this open air sculpture museum you’ll see Cellini’s Perseo holding Medusa’s head and an ancient lion sculpture whose origin remains mysterious amongst others . There is also a lovely Neptune Fountain on the square.

Next to the Palazzo Vecchio you will also find the entrance to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most prominent museums in the world. It’s highly recommended to plan in advance which works you would like see, because the museum consists of 101 rooms filled with art, and there’re also many works lining the hall ways. In the Uffizi you can see the most beautiful Renaissance paintings from artists such as Raphael, Da Vinci, Caravaggio, Titian and my personal favorite, The Birth of Venus by Botticelli!

Stroll across Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio is for sure one of the most famous bridges in the world and another sight you can’t miss during your trip to Florence. Ponte Vecchio’s original construction dates back to 995. It’s the only bridge that wasn’t destroyed in World War II. Ponte Vecchio is famous for the numerous jeweler shops which are situated inside of the bridge.

Get your cultural fix at the Pallazo Pitti & Boboli Gardens

Across the Arno River lays the The Palazzo Pitti. This large palace was owned by the Medici family (who else) and was the main residence for the ruling Tuscan families. Nowadays the palazzo is one of the largest museum complexes in Florence. It’s home to a Renaissance art museum, a silver museum, a gallery of modern art, a porcelain museum and Italy’s only museum dedicated to the history of clothing and fashion. Of the five I would recommend the Renaissance art museum, because, it’s located into the former royal quarters and the rooms are as remarkable as the paintings.

If the weather is nice, you should definitely spend some time at the Boboli Gardens, which are attached to the castle. It’s beautiful fountains and lovely sculptures make it one of Europe’s finest gardens.

Visit Santa Croce Basilica

The Basilica of Santa Croce is the principal Franciscan church in Florence. Many of Florence’s brightest stars, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli, were buried here. Because of this the basilica is also known as the Temple of the Italian Glories. The artistic highlights of the church are the frescoes by Giotto.

Enjoy the view from Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo is the perfect place if you want a panoramic view of Florence and don’t want to climb any of the towers. On the square you’ll also find a bronze copy of the David of Michelangelo.

Lunch or dinner at La Bussola

If there is one restaurant in Florence that you should try in Firenze it’s La Bussola. I don’t have any photo’s of the interior and the delicious food as I wasn’t into food photography yet back in the days, but seriously you guys this is one of my favorite restaurants EVER! La Bussola is located in the heart of Florence, on the beautiful Porta Rosa. During my internship we had dinner here every Friday night and other chance I got! The Lasagna, Pizza Capricciosa and Tiramisu were the best I ever had. I know it’s been a while since I was last there, but over the years, I have send all my friends and followers, that were visiting Florence, to La Bussola. And guess what; they all loved it as much as I did, so that must count for something right?!

Practical  information Florence

  • A Terravision bus takes you from Pisa Airport to Florence Santa Maria Novella Station in 70 minutes.
  • Currency: Euro (€)

Well what more can I say? I can probably write an entire love letter to Florence, but luckily for you guys I’m not going to do that. The beautiful buildings, rich history, wonderful restaurants, and above all the memories to my amazing friends and the lovely adventures, make it my favorite city in the world, and so far none of the other destinations I’ve been to, has been able to beat that.

 

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