Last fall I spent a week in Florence, Italy (with a day trip to Venice) with three friends — a trip full of art, food, long walks, and lovely surprises. I’ve already shared how I packed light for this trip, so here I’m summarizing what we did, saw, and ate. If you’re planning a visit to Florence (or a side trip to Venice), this recap highlights the experiences we loved and a few we’d skip next time.
I traveled with Elsie and Emma (the sisters behind A Beautiful Mess) and Elise Joy. The four of us have spent years visiting each other’s hometowns, antiquing, and sampling great food, and to celebrate Emma’s 40th we chose an international trip. Florence and Venice felt like the perfect fit — we’d never been to Italy and were excited about art, architecture, outdoor markets, and, of course, pasta.
We booked much of the trip through a travel agent who handled accommodations and several tours. It was my first time relying on a travel agent for a vacation like this, and it removed a lot of stress, though a couple of activities didn’t turn out as expected. Still, having someone coordinate logistics was helpful and saved time.
We stayed at a charming boutique hotel, Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco. My room had a lovely view (pictured above). The hotel had a welcoming lobby, a serene atrium, and small rooftop areas perfect for unwinding — one of my favorite places to relax after a day of sightseeing.
Each day included at least one planned activity or tour, with free time built in to explore, shop, or linger over meals. One of our favorite unplanned moments was a morning spent painting small watercolor landscapes on the hotel rooftop — a simple, restorative activity that made the trip feel special.
I brought a small notebook for sketching and painting, and Elise had a compact watercolor kit from Etsy that worked perfectly for travel.
Getting To & Around Italy
We each flew from different cities and connected in Chicago before continuing to Munich and Florence. Our travel agent arranged taxi transfers to the hotel, and after that we walked everywhere in Florence for four days. The city is extremely walkable, and most attractions are centrally located. We visited in early November when the weather was clear and sunny, so comfortable shoes and a relaxed pace are all you need to see a lot.
The only other transport we used was a train for the day-trip to Venice. Our agent booked the train tickets in advance, though we were able to adjust them ourselves when needed. Both Florence and Venice have stations within walking distance of the city centers, making that day trip straightforward.
What We Did In Florence
Here are the main sites, activities, and tours we enjoyed, followed by food and shopping highlights.
Women of Florence Walking Tour: This private walking tour was one of our favorites. Our guide, a local woman who’d lived in Florence her whole life, tailored the route to our interests in painting, architecture, and female artists. She introduced us to unexpected finds, including a violin maker who crafts Stradivarius-style instruments in a tiny shop. The local insight and personal stories made the city come alive.
The Duomo is enormous and breathtaking in person — photos don’t do justice to its scale.
The city’s historic architecture and craftsmanship are everywhere. If you enjoy details and centuries-old design, a guided walking tour is an excellent introduction.
Giunti Odeon: This combined bookstore and cinema is a beautiful space to explore. The architecture is striking, and the book selection includes titles in both English and Italian. It felt like a cultural oasis and a peaceful place to pause.
Uffizi Gallery: This museum was a unanimous favorite for its iconic works, including Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus. The painted ceilings and connected rooms are mesmerizing. We booked a private tour here and were delighted to have the same guide who had led our walking tour.
Gucci Galleria: A surprising favorite — the exhibit displays couture, historical pieces, and a fascinating look at scarf design. One mirrored room of handbags creates an infinite visual effect and is fun to explore like a gallery or design museum.
Ikigai Tattoo Studio: Three of us got small tattoos as part of a travel tradition. We walked in without appointments and were welcomed by talented female artists known for delicate line work. The experience was quick, professional, and a meaningful souvenir of the trip.
Peggy Guggenheim (Venice): On our Venice day trip, this smaller museum and former home was a highlight. The collection is intimate and displayed in a beautiful house with a lovely garden. You can enjoy the museum on your own, but a guide added context about Peggy Guggenheim’s eccentric and visionary life.
Where We Ate In Florence
Buca San Giovanni: Recommended by a local, this tucked-away restaurant sits down a set of stairs in an atmospheric, cove-like room. The food and service were excellent, and it felt like a true local find — one of our top meals.
Paszkowski: A popular bakery and coffee spot with pastries and outdoor seating. It’s beloved by locals and visitors alike and great for people-watching over a cup of coffee.
Gilli: A cafe known for strong coffee, rich hot chocolate, and light lunches. We enjoyed small plates here and met a local who shared restaurant tips that led us to Buca San Giovanni.
Cacio e Pepe: For lunch, we tried a restaurant specializing in this simple Roman pasta. It was outstanding — easily one of the best pasta dishes of the trip.
La Bottega Di Via Maggio: A tiny spot that serves fresh, handmade dishes — we enjoyed several varieties of gnocchi and loved them all.
Gelato: We tried many gelaterias and didn’t find a bad one. Our group consensus: cherry gelato stood out as an unexpectedly perfect flavor.
Where We Shopped In Florence
Ugo Poggi: A beautiful shop filled with plates, glassware, and ceramics. Some pieces are splurge-worthy while others are more affordable — a delightful place for homeware inspiration.
Santo Spirito Vintage Market: This monthly market (the second Sunday) was well worth timing our trip around. It’s a treasure hunt for vintage jewelry, scarves, art, and more.
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella: A historic apothecary selling perfumes, soaps, and candles in a beautiful setting. The products and the building are both lovely.
Calzaiuoli Leather Factory: A leather shop recommended by a local we met; several of us left with soft, well-made leather bags.
The Things We Would Skip
Vasari Corridor: We paid extra for a visit to the Vasari Corridor and found it underwhelming — essentially a long white hallway with a few busts and a glimpse into a church. Given its history, we expected more context and displays. We’d skip it and spend the money elsewhere.
Row Venice (Cichetto Row): A miscommunication led us to sign up for an active rowing experience in Venice when we expected a leisurely gondola with food and wine. The activity requires participants to row, which wasn’t what we had planned for before an early flight. If you want an adventurous, physical outing, it’s a fun option — otherwise confirm details before booking.
More Favorite Trips
If you’re interested in other trip recaps, here are several we’ve written about past travels, including a girls’ trip to Sedona and taking a dog to Mexico.
- 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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