Last fall I spent an unforgettable week in Florence, Italy—with a day trip to Venice—traveling with three friends. We ate, walked, and marveled our way through the cities. I’ve already shared how I packed light for this trip, but here I’ll recap what we did, saw, and ate so you can use it for your own itinerary. Below are the highlights we loved, and a few things we’d skip if we went again.
I traveled with Elsie and Emma (the sisters behind A Beautiful Mess) and Elise (from Elise Joy). The four of us have been traveling together for years to celebrate birthdays and explore new places. For Emma’s 40th we chose Florence—none of us had visited Italy before and we wanted art, architecture, outdoor markets, and excellent pasta.
We worked with a travel agent to coordinate accommodations and some tours. It removed a lot of stress, though a couple of activities didn’t turn out as expected. Still, using an agent helped with logistics so we could focus on exploring.
We stayed at the charming boutique Hotel Il Guelfo Bianco. The hotel has a lovely lobby, a serene atrium, and rooftop areas to relax. My room had a great view and a patio right outside the door—perfect for quiet mornings.
I appreciated that our itinerary included free time each day. We usually planned one major activity like a museum or tour and left the rest of the day open. One favorite unscheduled morning found us painting watercolor landscapes on the hotel rooftop—one of the trip’s simplest and most memorable moments.
I brought a small notebook for sketching and painting, and Elise had a compact watercolor kit from Etsy that was perfect for travel.
Getting To & Around Italy
We all flew into Florence from different cities. Three of us connected through Chicago and flew via Munich to Florence. Our travel agent booked airport transfers, and for the rest of the time we relied on walking. Florence is extremely walkable and most attractions are centrally located. We visited in early November and enjoyed clear, sunny weather—bring comfortable shoes and you can cover a lot on foot.
The only other transport we used was a train for the day-trip to Venice. The tickets were booked ahead but were flexible to change. Train stations are walkable in both cities, which made the day trip easy to manage.
What We Did In Florence
Here’s a concise rundown of the top sites, activities, and tours we enjoyed.
Women of Florence Walking Tour: This private walking tour was one of our favorites. Our guide, a Florentine woman around our age, tailored the route to our interests in paintings, architecture, and female artists. Highlights included visits to lesser-known artisan shops—one of which was a violin maker originally from California—and insider tips on great coffee and lunch spots.
The Duomo is massive and breathtaking in person—no photo truly captures the scale. Florence’s historic architecture and craftsmanship are everywhere; this walking tour is a great way to appreciate it.
Guinti Odeon: A gorgeous combination cinema and bookstore with beautiful architecture and a great selection of books in both English and Italian. The upper screening area is especially atmospheric.
Uffizi Gallery: Our favorite museum in Florence, filled with iconic works like Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus. We did a private tour and were stunned by the paintings and the beautifully decorated ceilings that link rooms together.
Gucci Galleria: A surprisingly delightful stop. It’s visually rich, showcasing designs across eras and offering fascinating displays—like a room demonstrating scarf design and a mirrored bag room that seems to go on forever. It’s quick, affordable, and visually memorable.
Ikigai Tattoo Studio: Two of us (and Emma) decided to continue a trip tradition of getting small tattoos together. We walked in without appointments and, within about 90 minutes, left with new, delicate linework tattoos from talented female artists. The artists were welcoming and skilled—highly recommended if you want a small, meaningful piece.
Peggy Guggenheim (Venice): On our Venice day trip this small museum in a former home was a standout. The collection is approachable in size and the setting is intimate and memorable. The garden—where Peggy Guggenheim is buried alongside her pets—adds to the eccentric charm of the place. A guided tour is interesting, but the museum is compact enough that a self-guided visit works well too.
Where We Ate In Florence
Buca San Giovanni: Our top restaurant of the trip, recommended by a local. Tucked downstairs in a historic space, the room feels cozy and cove-like. The food and service were outstanding and decidedly local—this was a place we likely would not have found without a tip.
Paszkowski: A classic bakery and coffee spot loved by locals. Good pastries, coffee, and an inviting outdoor area for people-watching.
Gilli: A historic café offering excellent coffee, hot chocolate, and small plates. It’s a pleasant spot to relax and soak up the piazza atmosphere.
Cacio E Pepe: We had an unforgettable plate of their signature cacio e pepe for lunch—arguably the best pasta of the trip.
La Bottega Di Via Maggio: A tiny, fresh-focused spot where we sampled several varieties of gnocchi—delicious and memorable.
Gelato: Try gelato everywhere you see it. Our group fell hard for the cherry flavor—light and refreshing compared to richer flavors—though every shop had its own charms.
Where We Shopped In Florence
Ugo Poggi: A beautiful shop for plates, glassware, and tableware. Splurge-worthy pieces sit alongside more affordable finds—great for a special souvenir.
Santo Spirito Vintage Market: Held on the second Sunday of each month, we timed our visit for this market and it was a treasure trove of vintage jewelry, scarves, artwork, and unique finds. Worth planning your visit around if you love vintage hunting.
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella: A historic perfumery with elegant soaps, candles, and cosmetics sold in a stunning old building. The shop is as much about the atmosphere as the products.
Calzaiuoli Leather Factory: A local leather shop recommended by a Florentine we befriended. Many of us bought buttery-soft leather bags that will be cherished souvenirs.
Things We’d Skip Next Time
Vasari Corridor: This was an underwhelming extra add-on from our agent. The corridor felt like a plain hallway without the historical displays we expected, and it cost extra. We would skip it and spend the money elsewhere.
Row Venice (Cichetto Row): A misunderstanding left us signed up for an active rowing experience rather than a leisurely gondola with food and wine. The activity itself looked fun and physical, but it didn’t match our expectations or attire that day. If you want adventure and rowing, it’s a unique option—but double-check the format before you book.
More Favorite Trips
If you enjoy reading trip recaps, here are a few other travel stories from our adventures: a girls’ trip to Sedona, packing light for Italy and France, a family trip to Mexico with a dog, Costa Rica with kids, Charleston, Palm Springs, New Orleans, and more. These posts include packing tips, itineraries, and favorite moments from other trips.
- 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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