Florence, Italy

[LittleRedRidingBoots]

My lovely lovely husband has booked us a surprise weekend in Florence in July. I’m so so grateful to him for the effort, but when looking at things to do there, it seems like it’s a very museum/arty heavy place. Neither of us have been to Italy before and I think he chose based on it looking picturesque without really looking at what else there will be to do. We’re not really arty or architecture type people so I’m worried this may not be the trip for us :(

Any advice at all for us? Anyone been and enjoyed it without doing the museums or galleries? We do have the option to change the location if we need to.

You could have a day out at a vineyard.
In Florence itself there is a Pasta and Tiramisu cookery class.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Products-g187895-a_contentId.37741884382+761559083-Florence_Tuscany.html

I went to Florence in July, be prepared for extreme heat. Florence sits in a valley and the heat covers the city like a thick blanket. If it hasn't been for the portable fans and a great big floppy hat I wouldn't have survived. It is museum heavy but there are some lovely gardens to wander through and Pizza is a scenic train ride away. The streets and architecture are just wonderful and there are some amazing restaurants and cafes.

Yes, you really need to like looking at art, buildings, churches and religious art! It's an interesting place to wander around. The train service is excellent and reasonably priced if you want to venture further afield, e.g. Pisa.

Pisa and Lucca are lovely if you get museum fatigue. Florence has amazing food and it’s really pretty.

I spent 3 days in Florence without any art gallery.

Lots of churches are free to wander in and they are amazing even if you don't know anything about art.
Some do charge but in my opinion it's worth it.

The history is really interesting, I would definitely do some exploring of the museums.

But - it's also lovely to wander around. Food is great, you could look for a 1/2 day cookery workshop.

Lucca is around 1 1/2 hour by train away if you want a day trip away.

Gosh I thought I'd hate all the art stuff but I actually welled up when I saw David! And the sight of the duomo as you walk down the little streets, took my breath away. I am now converted 😂

It’s just really pretty - I have never been inside any of the museums and I have been numerous times for work (multiple days)

if you can just be happy wandering around, the food is fantastic, there are some rooftop bars for example looking over the river. There’s a nice viewpoint you can climb up to, there’s a fab food market to wander around etc

Siena, Pisa, Lucca I think are all close by and worth a visit. You may want to look on trip advisor or viator for some day trips or maybe a food and wine tour of the city. I would dream for my husband to book that for me!

enjoy it - look up maybe a pool with public access too.

You can just stroll around, it is like a filmset wandering along from one piazza to another with a map , such as the Piazza della Signoria and Piazza Santa Croce , sit with a gelato and people watch. The centre is not that vast but streets uneven so you need comfy shoes. The Boboli gardens over the river are a great vantage point and pretty, San Miniato and a trip out to Fiesole will give you wider views over the city. Book ahead if you want to climb up the Duomo, visit the Baptistry and bell tower or see the crypt but you can just queue to look around the cathedral itself. Maybe take a walking tour or look out for “wine windows”. It can be hot and busy by day but once the tour groups leave it is much more sedate. Italians eat late so do book for dinner to secure a table.

Most people go for the art, but as mentioned there are shops, cafes etc. The Boboli Gardens are nice.
Also second Lucca as a good day trip- it's very easy to get to on the train.
If you DO want to see (say) David, then you will need to book in advance.

If you like wine and looking for something fun to do, you could always try and visit the wine windows.

Wine windows

If it's all sorted I'd stay in Florence. You don't actually HAVE to go into all the museums and galleries, but walking around is very enjoyable, particularly around the banks of the Arno, the famous (infamous) tourist trap bridge, and visiting the market, and getting delicious food, and sunset and so on.

If you really want to change town, I'd 100% recommend Lucca, it is so charming, have a look. Then you could take a day trip to Florence or Pisa. It's a weekend not a month. Make the most of it and enjoy.

The market is quite fun to look round and there is a small but pretty botanical garden not far from there.

I love Florence. It is one of DH and my special holiday destinations and on our last visit was where we got engaged!

I'd go up the Campanelle at Duomo. Great views even if you aren't interested in religion. Alternatively Piazza Michelangelo for a great view over the city.

If you like beauty / perfume go to the original Santa Maria Novella Perfumery. It is gorgeous.

Do you like Mozarella? Obica (mozzarella bar) has a beautiful location there, in a courtyard. Very yummy. Also Mercato centrale has a good casual vibe for lunch and lots of options to try.

Alternatively go on a day trip to Sienna or Pisa.

It might be easier to suggest options if you describe what you do like to do on Holiday?

It's lovely to just stroll around, past the Duomo, across the bridge (Ponte Vecchio), looking at the lovely jewellery and to wander through the Boboli Gardens, where (at the top) there is an amazing view over Tuscany. It's a great place for a picnic.

I also like Florence for shopping, wandering past the market stalls and small shops. Last time I came back stocked up with Neste Danti soap and some Murano Christmas decorations.

I haven't done any of the big galleries or museums but did pop into the Basilica di Santa Croce, which is well worth a visit (for an hour or so).

I didn’t actually care for Florence but loved Lake Maggiore in the north.