Florence – a weekend full of culture

Even though a snowstorm is currently raging outside our windows and the longest journey that many of us would like to take is home to bed, why not dream and at least start planning your first sunny trips in anticipation of spring? In our opinion, there is no more beautiful place for an early spring vacation than magical Florence, Italy. Here's our quick guide to how to handle a long weekend in the mecca of the Renaissance.

Stay: Hotel Lungarno

Opening the curtains in the morning and seeing Florence's most famous landmark, the Ponte Vecchio, right in front of you is an unforgettable experience. So enjoy a leisurely morning coffee in a bathrobe with a view from one of the rooms at the fifty-year-old Hotel Lungarno. In 2017, it was completely renovated into an elegant design that perfectly captures its long tradition of hosting prominent visitors.

Go for dinner:

Go for a Drink:

Coronas Cafe

As you walk from the Ponte Vecchio towards the Duomo, wander into the tiny, unassuming ice cream parlor and bar Coronas Cafe and enjoy a great coffee or grappa (or better yet, both). The owner will happily serve you fantastic canapé paninis and other delicacies that she makes on site with your drinks.

What to do all weekend:

You could spend a whole month in Florence and not be bored for a minute, but if you're only spending a few days there, you need to choose what you see carefully. In the morning, like a true Italian, jump on the “stand” for a quick cappuccino and panini at one of the local bakeries. Café Scudieri near the Duomo is one of those classics that never disappoints. From there, you can head straight to Florence’s most dominant landmark, the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. The Gothic façade, which evokes the impression of a house made of paper, is breathtaking. The relatively simple interior offers an interesting contrast to the ornate exterior and is definitely worth a visit. Be prepared, as is probably the case everywhere in Florence, for long lines even outside the high season.

After visiting the cathedral, wander through the streets of old Florence towards the famous Pallazo Vecchio. The palace that serves as the town hall juts out from the corner of Piazza della Signoria and its entrance is guarded by perhaps the most famous statue of the Renaissance, Michelangelo's David, or rather its copy. However, if you have time, run to the Galleria dell'Accademia museum, because there you will find the real David resting. The original in front of the Palace was replaced by a copy in the nineteenth century. To top off the culture, a must-see is the Galleria degli Uffizi, just a stone's throw from Palazzo Vecchio. One of the world's most important and largest galleries, it houses art mostly from the Renaissance period and houses works by greats such as Raffaelo, da Vinci and Giotto. Don't forget to buy your ticket in advance on the gallery's official website to avoid the hours-long queues at the entrance.

A walk through Florence cannot be completed without an evening walk across the beautiful Ponte Vecchio, another unmistakable symbol of Florence. The small shops, once butchers' shops, are now inhabited by beautiful luxury jewelers.