FLORENCE
ItalyOnly a handful of cities are so compact in size but jam-packed with extraordinary art and architecture at every turn… and we’re talking about Florence here, a.k.a. the “cradle of the Renaissance.” Romantic, enchanting, and inexplicably irresistible, it is a city to feast your eyes on world-class art and gourmet Tuscan cuisine.
@andiamo_stephanie Definitely a must-see for visitors to Italy, is the colossal Florence Duomo. Rising above all the masterpieces (literally and non), the enormous red-tiled dome is an incredible symbol of the city’s creative culture that has defined itself for over 500 years. Today, the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore is so iconic that the cathedral is simply known as Il Duomo; a staple of Florence’s exquisite skyline.
One of Florence’s better known sights, the Boboli Gardens is one not to be missed – especially on a sunny day. Sweeping views and endless paths that take you to fountains so grandeur, it will make for a relaxing outdoor experience where you can break away from the crowds. Next: one of the best kept secrets in Florence? Wander around for more than 5 minutes from Boboli itself, and you just might find the entrance into the Bardini Gardens.
Duomo 
Known as one of Florence’s finest, Buca Mario is a basement-level restaurant serving the most spectacular Ribollita (vegetable soup) and Bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak); Tuscan specialties that you dare not miss. If the fact that the restaurant has lasted for more than one hundred years doesn’t stand testimony to how truly delicious they are, I don’t know what is.
@__mizzang If all the amazing shopping finally takes a toll on you, we’d recommend that you refuel your energy at ZaZa. Neighboring Mercato Centrale, the charming Italian kitchen has a great outdoor patio that’s perfect for those warm Firenze nights! Choose from an extensive menu selection (read: all the truffle options), and have a proper sit-down after a tiring day wandering from shop-to-shop. Can’t go wrong with anything here, trust us.
If you’re visiting the heart of Renaissance Italy, then the place you stay must reflect very much so to the gem of a city. Stay at the Castello del Nero Hotel and Spa for an experience that provides you pastoral relaxation in such scenic solitude. With plenty of spa options to select from, you will be relaxed here no doubt. Its suites are marbled, and its bathrooms covered with mosaic. It’s living and breathing in art.
Set in a former 16th-Century convent near Giardino della Gherardesca, the Four Seasons have had the honor to be situated at one of the oldest, largest and most elegant Florentine gardens in the whole of Florence. Designed as an ornate Tuscan residence that is unparalleled in its luxury, the theme of original Florentine art and craftsmanship runs all the way through its 116 rooms and suites – yet no two are alike.
