march 16, 2024
birthday weekend in firenze, italia
by Anne-Marie Leduc
My partner surprised me with a birthday weekend in Florence, Italy!
How fortunate am I? This was undoubtedly my best birthday yet. I often reflect on how grateful I am and how moving to Europe was the best decision ever. We could never have indulged in these spontaneous trips before. Italy holds a special place in my heart as my favorite country in Europe thus far. To me, Italy is always a good idea. Its beauty, culture, history, art, and, of course, food are just some of the many reasons I'm drawn to this magnificent country. While March may not be the ideal time of year to visit, we were blessed with decent weather and a delightful weekend. Below, I've included our itinerary, some photos, and recommendations. Andiamo!
Must see
Some of the world's most famous and beautiful works of art and architecture from the Renaissance period are located in Florence. The highlight for me was seeing "The Birth of Venus" by Sandro Botticelli. This painting had been a dream of mine to see and was a must on my bucket list of masterpieces. Be prepared for large crowds and long queues, but in my opinion, it's absolutely worth it. I highly recommend visiting the two most famous museums: the Uffizi Gallery, where you can find "The Birth of Venus" among other renowned works, and the Accademia Gallery, home to Michelangelo's "David." I advise booking tickets in advance to shorten your wait.
food & drinks
Wine window:
Babe
If you fancy a glass of wine or an Aperol Spritz, hunt for a Buchetta del Vino (Wine Window). They were created in the 17th century to minimize contact with customers during the plague, and they have seen a revival in recent years. Yes, they're 'Instagrammable', but they're also fun nonetheless. Babae - via santo spirito, 21r, 50125
spritz with a view:
bar
To enjoy a stunning view of beautiful Florence, we took a walk along the left bank of the Arno River. It's a beautiful spot to relax, enjoy an aperitivo, and people-watch. bar - giardino delle rose a firenze
Aperitivo:
Bulli & balena spritz e cicchetti
As we were walking near the Babae wine window, we stumbled across a trendy bar with music and lots of locals outside serving spritzes and bites. It had a very fun Italian vibe! Bulli & Balene - Spritz e Cicchetti - via dello sprone 14/r 50125
ristorante:
Trattoria Il Bargello
Our first dinner was at Trattoria Il Bargello in the center of town. I was worried it might be too touristy, but to my relief, it turned out to be an excellent choice. While a bit pricey, the food was outstanding in a truly Italian decor! I highly recommend trying the trio of pecorino cheeses with honeys and the Ragù pasta. Trattoria Il Bargello - borgo dei greci, 37, 50122
lunch:
SandwiChic
"Sandwich Chic" is what people like to call a hidden gem, and I always find that amusing Because when a lot of people know about it, it's no longer hidden.. Nonetheless, it is less crowded than the other Instagrammable panini places and, in my opinion, more authentic. It's a grab-and-go Italian sandwich shop where they slice the meat on-site. The sandwiches are excellent! SandwiChic - via s. gallo, 3r, 50129
ristorante:
Trattoria Ada
Our last dinner was at Trattoria Ada near our hotel. We specifically chose this place for their Florentine steak, which was the perfect meal to conclude our trip to Florence. Tom did a lot of research to find this place, and I'm glad he did. Although it's not located in the center of town, it was truly worth the visit. The service was welcoming, the restaurant was filled with locals (I think we were the only ones not from Italy), the steak was perfection, and the value was excellent. Trattoria Ada - viale giuseppe mazzini, 25/27r, 50132
stay & itinerary
We caught an early morning flight from Paris to Bologna. Spending half a day there, we wandered around and enjoyed a delightful lunch. Next, we hopped on a 30-minute fast train from Bologna to Florence. Our accommodation was at Hotel Ungherese Small Luxury Hotel 2020, which was charming and exactly what we were looking for. Although it's a bit far from the city center, there are multiple buses that are easy to use and find, and if you prefer, the walk is quite enjoyable. On the last day of our weekend, we took the train from Florence to Pisa. We managed to squeeze in some time to visit the Leaning Tower of Pisa before catching our flight back to Paris. Here are some photos from our time in Bologna and Pisa.
Hotel Ungherese Small Luxury Hotel 2020 - via giovan battista Amici 8 50131, firenze
