Day 1: Arrival via Pisa & First Stroll in Florence

We flew into Pisa and took the train to Florence, which was very straightforward. We bought our tickets from the machine at the station: it was easy to use, just remember to validate your ticket at the little machines on the platform before boarding.

Once in Florence, we checked in to our hotel and took some time to freshen up before heading out for an introductory wander.

We stayed at Anglo American Hotel Florence, Curio Collection by Hilton, which we really liked as it sits on a quiet, elegant street slightly away from the busiest central area. The room was beautiful, breakfast was good, and the location felt calm and residential while still being walkable to all the main sights.

That first afternoon and evening we simply walked, got our bearings, and soaked up the atmosphere: narrow streets, warm stone buildings and enjoying walking along the Arno River. It was the perfect gentle start before a busier sightseeing day.

Day 2: Beating the Crowds at the Uffizi & Classic Florentine Food

Our second day started early with a pre‑booked visit to the Uffizi Gallery at 8.15 am. I really recommend going as early as you can. The queue to get in was short, and we could move through the galleries ahead of the tour groups. The Uffizi is laid out in a one‑way system, which makes sense once you are inside, and going early meant the rooms felt much more peaceful.

Inside, we spent our time admiring the paintings and sculptures as well as the building itself. It is one of those places where you are constantly looking up at the ceilings as much as at the walls.

The afternoon was all about getting pleasantly lost. We stopped for lunch at La Boite, and set ourselves the important task of finding good gelato. A little tip we followed: look for places where the gelato is covered rather than piled high, colours are more natural than neon, and there is plenty of Italian on the menu rather than lots of touristy signs – we enjoyed La Sorbettiera and there are a few of them across the city.

In the evening we tried a local speciality: Florentine steak at Regina Bistecca. It felt like a very “when in Florence” experience and was a lovely way to end the day.

Day 3: Palazzo Pitti, Boboli Gardens & A Favourite Wine Bar

Day three started slowly with a lazy morning before we headed across the river to Palazzo Pitti. Inside, there is more beautiful art as well as a costume and fashion section that I particularly enjoyed. If you like design, textiles or fashion history, it is really worth a visit.

Afterwards, we stepped out into the Boboli Gardens. They are much larger than we expected, with pathways, viewpoints and green corners to explore. We took a light stroll and enjoyed the fresh air and views over the city.

The late afternoon was one of my favourite moments of the trip. We settled into a wine bar called Le Volpi e l'Uva, which we absolutely loved. We spent a few hours there trying different wines and sharing delicious cheese and bread. The atmosphere was relaxed and friendly, the owner was lovely and gave us some great recommendations and it felt like exactly what you want from a wine bar in Florence.

That evening we had pizza at Berberè, then stopped for more wine (naturally!) at Enoteca Bellini on the way back to the hotel. It was a simple, happy day of art, gardens and very good food and wine.

Day 4: Tuscan Vineyard Day & Sunset Over Florence

Today was all about the Tuscan countryside. We headed out of the city to a vineyard, where we had a tour of the vines and the farm, a wine tasting and a pasta‑making experience. It was great fun, very hands‑on and a lovely way to see a different side of the region beyond the city streets.

Back in Florence, we went up to the famous sunset viewpoint at Piazzale Michelangelo. It is popular for a reason: the views over the rooftops, the Arno and the Duomo are spectacular, especially as the sky changes colour.

Afterwards we walked on a little further and found a quieter viewing spot at Terrazza San Miniato. This felt more peaceful and a bit more local, so if you like to escape the crowds it is a lovely addition to the classic Piazzale Michelangelo stop.

Dinner that evening was at Il Morellino Ristorante, where we tried two classic Florentine dishes: Wild Boar Ragu and Pear and Pecorino Ravioli. Both were absolutely delicious and felt like a very fitting meal for a vineyard day.

Day 5: Duomo, Churches, Perfume & Rose Garden Relaxing

Our final full day was more relaxed, with a focus on soaking up Florence at a slower pace.

We started at Santa Maria del Fiore, the famous Duomo. We only visited the cathedral interior, which is free to enter, and the scale of it is incredible. The space, the dome, the sense of height and light are all awe‑inspiring. If you have the time and the energy, you can also purchase tickets to climb the dome itself or visit other parts of the complex.

After a quick lunch at Giotto Pizzeria, we wandered into a beautiful perfume shop to explore some Florentine fragrances. Discovering these little, more personal spots is something I really love about city breaks.

Later, we sat outside one of the many churches listening to live music, then enjoyed a glass of wine at Vino al Vino. In the afternoon we walked up to the Rose Garden, found a sunny spot and simply sat for an hour or so. It felt like the perfect way to take a breath, admire the architecture from afar and reflect on the trip.

For our final dinner we had reserved a table at Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina, a lovely wine bar opposite Pitti Palace that I had heard could get busy. I’m glad we pre‑booked. It was intimate and a real treat for wine lovers. We sat outside admiring Pitti Palace which was an added bonus!

Dessert came in the form of cannoli from Gino's Bakery. It was the perfect sweet ending to our last night in the city.

Day 6: One Last Wander & The Journey Home

Our final morning was all about gentle goodbyes to Florence.

We stopped at Gilli for coffee and pastry - It is one of those classic old cafés that makes you feel like you have stepped back in time. Then nice and fuelled it was time to do a bit of shopping for souvenirs.

Before catching our train we picked up a very substantial lunch from All'Antico Vinaio. The sandwiches here are huge, so come hungry. A little tip: there are three separate entrances with queues, but when we arrived it looked like there were only two. If one queue seems very long, look for the third entrance as it was much shorter.

For the return journey we pre‑booked our train tickets, then used the PisaMover from Pisa Centrale station to the airport, buying those tickets from the machines at the station as we did on the way to Florence.

Final Thoughts & How I Can Help

Overall it was an amazing trip. We had so much fun and truly enjoyed spending time together exploring Florence, from world‑famous art galleries to tiny wine bars and quiet corners in the gardens.

Florence works beautifully as:

·         A romantic long weekend

·         A culture‑packed city break

·         The starting point for a longer Italian or Tuscan itinerary

·         A foodie escape with wine, steak and pasta at the heart of it

If you would like me to tailor this itinerary to your own dates, interests and budget, or build it into a wider Italy trip, just get in touch and I would be delighted to help you start planning your own Florence adventure.