Blog

Florence news this week: Giotto restored at Santa Croce, Palazzo Vecchio lion fountains, the 30 October strike details, tram updates and what to see.

A gentler three-day Florence plan with one anchor sight a day, long lunches and time to wander. Ideal for families and slow travelers.

My neighborhood by neighborhood guide to the best luxury and boutique hotels in Florence, and who each one suits.

What travelers to Florence need to know for November and December 2026: the 30 October strike, the Firenze Marathon, the Santa Croce Christmas market and Duomo tickets.

Sixty years after the Arno flooded Florence on 4 November 1966, the city marks the anniversary with free and ticketed exhibitions. Here is where to go.

Santa Croce basilica guide: tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo and Machiavelli, Giotto's frescoes, the Pazzi Chapel and visiting tips.

Florence bakeries for Tuscan bread, schiacciata, bomboloni and cornetti, plus what to order at breakfast like a local.

Calcio Storico Fiorentino explained: the four teams, rules, the June parade and matches in Piazza Santa Croce, with 2026 dates.

Where I work from a cafe in Florence: Ditta Artigianale, La Ménagère, the Oblate library terrace and more, plus wifi and laptop etiquette.

Vegetarian and vegan Florence: naturally meat-free Tuscan dishes like ribollita and pappa al pomodoro, and where to eat them.

Where to go out in Florence after dark: Santo Spirito, Sant'Ambrogio and Santa Croce, live music, late spots and getting home safely.

Things to do at Christmas in Florence: the Santa Croce market, the Duomo tree, light displays, concerts and day trips, with 2026 dates.

How to buy real Florentine leather: checking quality, workshops versus market stalls, the Scuola del Cuoio and fair bargaining.

Follow Dante through Florence: the Casa di Dante, Beatrice's church, the Badia and his monument at Santa Croce, in one easy walk.

How to spot real gelato in Florence (metal tins, natural colors) and the best gelaterie by neighborhood, from a local who tests often.