Florence — Art, Wine, and Golden Light
Florence has a way of pulling you in slowly. It’s not just the Renaissance art or the soaring Duomo — it’s the feeling of walking along worn stone streets where every corner tells a story. After the quiet elegance of Modena and the rolling hills of Chianti, arriving in Florence felt like stepping into a city that’s equal parts museum and heartbeat.
We spent four days here, letting the rhythm of the city guide us: one moment staring up at David, the next sipping wine at golden hour in the hills. We wandered through markets and museums, stood in awe before Botticelli’s brushwork, tasted the boldest Bistecca alla Fiorentina, and shopped for leather and gold the way Florentines have for generations.
This is the story of our time in Florence — a little structured, a little spontaneous, and completely unforgettable.
Day 1 — From Modena to the Tuscan Hills
We left Modena early, grabbing a few bites at our hotel before driving south into the heart of Tuscany. The roads opened up as we approached Florence, and after just under two hours, we arrived at Villa Il Sasso – Dimora d’Epoca. Tucked just outside the city, the villa had all the charm we could hope for — historic, quiet, and surrounded by olive trees. The kind of place that invites you to slow down the second you arrive.
After settling in, we met with our friends from the States who had grown up in Italy and developed a strong friendship with an amazing group of Italians. We had the pleasure of hanging out with them and enjoying authentic Italian experiences — the kind you don’t find in guidebooks. That evening, they brought us to a special dinner hosted in a private home just outside the city. The woman who welcomed us opened her doors like we were longtime friends, cooking a multi-course meal in her kitchen and serving it in a cozy, candlelit dining room filled with laughter and conversation.
Day 2 — Art That Stops You in Your Tracks
We started the morning with a visit to the Accademia Gallery to see Michelangelo’s David. Even if you think you’ve seen it in books, nothing prepares you for the real thing — towering, detailed, alive in its stillness. It was easily one of the most moving moments of the trip.
Just around the corner, we grabbed lunch at All’Antico Vinaio, a wildly popular sandwich shop. The line was worth it. We tried the La Paradiso — stacked with creamy stracchino, prosciutto, truffle spread, and arugula, all on warm schiacciata bread.
In the afternoon, we walked to the Uffizi Gallery, where the halls themselves felt like part of the exhibit. Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera lived up to the hype — vibrant and strangely intimate, even in a crowded room.
That evening, we stayed local and went out for dinner in Florence, where we ordered our very first Bistecca alla Fiorentina — thick-cut, grilled rare, and served with just enough salt to let the flavor of the Chianina beef shine. It was bold, tender, and deeply satisfying — a dish that lived up to its reputation and then some.
Day 3 — Tuscany, Olive Oil, and a Long Italian Dinner
We left the day open — no reservations, just ideas. In the afternoon, we drove out to visit our friends at a secluded villa about 20 minutes deep into the Tuscan countryside. The setting was quiet and timeless, with olive groves and golden light stretching across the hills.
Our plan was simple: visit Pasquini Olive Oil, a small local producer known for its beautifully balanced, cold-pressed oils — rich, grassy, and full of character. After a short tasting and a walk through the groves, we headed back to the villa for dinner.
That night, we shared a long, home-cooked meal with our friends and their Italian hosts — the kind of dinner that feels more like an unfolding story than a sit-down meal. Courses appeared slowly, wine flowed freely, and conversations stretched late into the night. It was everything we’d hoped for from Tuscany: warmth, connection, and the kind of evening where time slips quietly out the door.
Day 4 — Duomo, Leather, and One Last Sunset
Monday was for Florence’s Duomo, and we booked our time slot early enough to avoid the biggest crowds. The cathedral was impressive, but it was the climb up to the dome that really took our breath away — both figuratively and literally.
The rest of the day was made for wandering:
Browsing Scuola del Cuoio and Pelletteria Artigiana Viviani for handmade leather goods
Popping into Leonardo Shoes
Looking at gold shops tucked into quiet alleyways
Finding a small wine bar for a late-afternoon glass
For dinner, we had one last Tuscan classic at Pizzeria Amalfitana serving up fresh seafood.
As golden hour approached, we made our way up to Piazzale Michelangelo to catch our final view over Florence. The view, the air, the hush of the city below — it was the kind of ending you wish you could bottle up and keep forever.
Florence gave us everything: world-class art, sunlit streets, soulful meals, and time to breathe it all in.
It was romantic, yes. But it was also alive, grounded, and overflowing with texture — from the grain of old leather to the brushstrokes of Botticelli.
