Archive for 'Florence'

Florence is full of famous and lovely works of art, buildings, parks and gardens. There are also many lesser-known beauties and hidden gems, many gardens among them, in particular. The Torrigiani Garden is seventeen acres of spectacular hidden gardens, located right in the heart of Florence.

It is also the largest privately owned garden in Europe situated within city boundaries. If you have found a vacation rental in Florence and are looking to enjoy its incredible atmosphere and manmade and natural charms, while staying away from regular tourist crowds, it is an ideal attraction in which to spend some peaceful hours wandering around.

The garden became renowned in the 16th century for its botanical garden (and remains celebrated for this) but largely reflects 19th century additions and alterations.

Florence is an incredible destination that is full of things to see and do. However, there is one thing that is for sure at the top of this list of things: sampling the local cuisine. There are plenty of Florentine dishes and specialities to try and some are more exotic or interesting than others but delicious Florentine-style peas are something that you shouldn't skip over. If you are a foodie that has found a vacation rental in Florence then be sure to get your hands on these peas while you are spending time in the city.

While Milan is the crowned fashion capital of Italy, there are lots of other fashionable cities all around the country and Florence is definitely one of them! Birthplace of brands like Gucci, Salvatore Ferragamo and Pucci, it has plenty of fashion clout and remains a great place for shopping.

There are lots of beautiful boutiques and flagship stores located around the city. One of the most interesting and well-curated among them is Guya. If you're after the coolest brands and hottest looks, it's the place to go. Just find a vacation rental in Florence and pop in for a visit!

We've written before about Emiko Davies, who is one of our favourite food bloggers in Italy, as part of our round-up of bloggers that you need to follow. Davies is a half Japanese, half Australian ex-pat who is now living in Florence with her Italian husband and daughter. Madly in love with the local cuisine, she has written two cookbooks about traditional Tuscan cooking, “Florentine: The True Cuisine of Florence” and “Acquacotta” and contributes to various publications, as well as running a blog and hosting classes and workshops on cooking and photography.

Bringing to life historic recipes and creating stunning images and dishes is her particular forte and, if you find a vacation rental in Florence, you can attend one of her incredible classes for yourself. Just check out her website for details about upcoming events and try to line one up with your trip!

If you are an art lover that has found a vacation rental in Florence, you may be headed directly to the Uffizi Gallery and it is certainly a highlight of the city for any aficionado. However, don't forget the Palazzo Pitti, which is home to several excellent museums, including the Palatine Gallery. A well-preserved historic private collection that was opened to the public, it reflects older collecting practices, tastes and methods of display, all within the beautiful palace. As a result, it is a unique, must-see art experience in the city and we have picked some of the best bits to make sure and track down when you visit. Here are more of our picks of highlights of the Palatine Gallery.