Archive for 'Florence'

Florence is a city famous for its museums, galleries, churches, and palaces that are beyond gorgeous and stuffed full of incredible works of art but it is not merely the interiors of this incredible place that are utterly beautiful. The piazzas, the streets, the Arno with all of the bridges crossing over it, and the views over the skyline dotted with its landmarks that can be taken in from various rooftops and panoramic spots are all examples of the great appeal of the outdoor spaces of Florence.

Then, of course, there are also the gardens and parks. Like many of the great cities of Europe, Florence has endless wonderful parks to explore. Many of these parks are not large expanses in which one can walk their dog or play sports or bring children to a playground but, rather, exquisitely manicured gems full of rare blooms, perfectly tamed lawns, arches grown over with fragrant flowers, sculptures by some of the most famous artists in history, amazing fountains, and all sorts of whimsical follies and surprises. These parks or public gardens or gardens attached to museums may now be available to all but they were once the private gardens of the city’s richest and most privileged residents. Thankfully, most can now be enjoyed by everyone! So, whether you want to take in the extraordinary sculptural details of the Boboli Gardens, see the impressive collection of different varieties of roses in the Rose Garden, or the lush and rare plants from all around the world at the garden of the Stibbert Museum then be sure to plan a garden crawl once you have found a luxury villa in Florence. 

This week we have already looked at Arezzo, a city of gold and a place in which goldsmithing has gone on from the Etruscans to the present day. Workshops of artisans still dot the medieval core of the city and thousands of jewellery and gold businesses operate throughout the surrounding area. Museums display incredible works from throughout history and shops sell the latest iterations to the magpies among those on vacation in Tuscany who are after rather more special and precious souvenirs. There is also a roaring trade in both jewellery and artisanal goods to appreciate if you have found a luxury villa in Florence, nearby. However, the birthplace of the Renaissance is, in its own right, one giant jewellery box full of incredible gems from architectural masterpieces to museums stuffed with incredible works of art to churches painted and gilded meticulously. And, among all of the stunning buildings and institutions filled with astounding things made by human hands, one of the lesser-known but most extraordinary has to be the Opificio delle Pietre Dure.

The Opificio delle Pietre Dure, literally meaning the Workshop of Semi-Precious Stones, is an institution run by the Italian Ministry for Cultural Heritage that is based on Via degli Alfani, not far from the Cathedral or the Galleria dell’Accademia, in the centre of Florence. In addition to the museum that most visitors head to, the building is also home to one of two Italian state-run conservation schools (the other being the Istituto Superiore per la Conservazione ed il Restauro), a specialist library, an archive, and a scientific laboratory in which research into the latest and best preventive and conservation techniques is undertaken. A global leader in the field of restoration, the institution is also home, as one might imagine, to a wonderful collection of well-preserved and incredible objects. 

Lonely Planet is a name that is long and well-associated with all things travel and a key touchstone that many turn to when planning trips and thinking about future holiday destinations. As such, people tend to sit up and listen to what they have to say when they produce their famous annual, “Best In Travel,” guide and use it for inspiration when looking ahead to their own upcoming adventures. In the recently published 2022 edition of the guide, they have once again named some of their key travel destinations for the coming year and there was one Italian city that made the cut this time around – Florence! We, of course, are already well familiar with the various attractions and appeals of a vacation in the city and offer some incredible luxury villas in Florence but it is good to be reminded once more just how brilliant Florence well and truly is.

While there are many brilliant museums full of some of the most important pieces of art in history to be visited while on holiday in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, there is also still a vibrant contemporary art scene in the city that can be experienced in various galleries, exhibition centres, art spaces, and more throughout. However, sometimes the oldest art institutions in Florence also house lively new exhibitions that are exciting must-sees and that is certainly the case for the Palazzo Strozzi this winter, which is currently home to a wonderful showcase of the work of celebrated contemporary American artist Jeff Koons.