For a weekend or a short holiday, it is ideal to take some time for yourself: the important thing is to choose the right destination
Florence can be a great destination to spend a couple of days differently. Walking around is ideal but, like all trips to cities of art, it can be tiring in the long run, and it can turn a moment of relaxation into a tour de force.
A good alternative is to use a rental service with a chaffeur: a trained and discreet driver, a car suited to your needs and no worry of having to do everything quickly and furiously to meet the timetables of the vehicles are some of the many advantages that this solution offers. Here are some suggestions to visit Florence in two days without stress and enjoying all the attractions that this ancient and fascinating city can offer.
1. Visit Florence in two days: a dip in the history of art
One of the most beautiful cities of art in Italy and cradle of the Italian Renaissance, Florence is rich in museums where you can admire the works of the greatest painters and sculptors in the history of art. Among the most famous, even internationally, it stands out Galleria degli Uffizi, which hosts masterpieces by artists such as Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Giotto, Botticelli, Leonardo Da Vinci and Raffaello, as well as important works produced in the historical arc ranging from the Middle Ages to the modern age.
Art in Florence also means David, the famous sculpture by Michelangelo that has become a symbol of Florentine art. David, in all its majesty, can be admired in the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, which, in addition to the monumental sculpture, also hosts many other unmissable works of art, including an interesting collection of ancient musical instruments, such as the famous Stradivari violins.
2. Discovering the city’s squares
Like many Italian cities, Florence is structured in such a way that, at the end of alleys and alleys, you are faced with large and spectacular squares. Starting from Piazza del Duomo, which is a unique work of art, located right in the heart of the city where the Duomo of Florence (also called the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore) dominates: the dome is, in fact, by Brunelleschi, the bell tower – from which you can enjoy a 360-degree view of Florence – is by Giotto and, finally, the Baptistery is adorned by the beautiful Ghiberti’s Gate of Paradise.
Not to be missed is also the famous Piazza della Signoria, the fulcrum of Florentine political life. Palazzo Vecchio, now the Town Hall and Civic Museum, overlooks this square. The monuments in Piazza della Signoria are numerous. Starting from the statue of Perseus by Benvenuto Cellini, kept inside the Loggia dei Lanzi; worthy of note are the equestrian monument of Cosimo I by Giambologna and Fontana del Nettuno by Ammannati.
Another square to see is Piazza Santa Maria Novella, on which stands the homonymous church, one of the most beautiful in the city, whose facade, made of white and green marble, was designed by Leon Battista Alberti. Cappella Tornabuoni is also breath-taking, embellished with frescoes by Ghirlandaio.
The last of the squares we recommend is Piazza Santa Croce, where you can visit the famous basilica, where some of the greatest geniuses of all time are buried, such as – among others – Michelangelo and Galileo.
3. Eating and sleeping in Florence
After the right tour of the most beautiful monuments of the city, it is worth taking a break in taste. There are many restaurants where your driver can lead you, all linked to the Tuscan culinary tradition but attentive to new trends in contemporary cuisine. For example, Enoteca Pinchiorri, a deluxe restaurant where a careful choice of raw materials is the conditio sine qua non for the preparation of each dish. À la carte proposals denote a deep knowledge of the local tradition, expertly revisited in a modern and international key.
As for accommodation, there are many exclusive hotels in Florence where you can spend the night in. One of them is Villa Cora, a former aristocratic residence located in the heart of a centuries-old park and now transformed into a luxury hotel with all the comforts to ensure a pleasant and relaxing stay.
And if you want to do some shopping in the two days you have at your disposal, you will be spoilt for choice: in fact, there are many craft shops in the city where you can buy a wide variety of items, from classic leather goods to shops dedicated to the Tuscan food and wine specialties.