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Florence in spring must be one of the lovliest places to visit in Europe, the roses blooming along with ancient art, the pavement cafes busy, the lines in front of the museums long. After a morning looking at works by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Da Vinci, Artemisia (yes, there is a female artist as well) your head, your mind, your heart will need some fresh air. At least my vital parts did.

It was time for a fresh walk, and I headed up to Piazzale Michelangelo, one of Karen’s favourite Florence piazzas, from where the view of Florence’s rooftops is magnificent.

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In the back corner of Piazzale Michelangelo, just behind a gelato stall, there is a path leading down to The Iris Garden which is open now a few weeks during spring. Hundreds, thousands of irises set between silver grey olive trees, charming paths, and always the view of Florence’s rooftops.

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One hour or two in this garden, may be with a book, what about A Room With a View, and I am sure you are ready for more art……or may be a gelato first? Florence claim to have the best gelato in Italy, but then most Italian places claims the same I think :-)

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Are you interested in a cheap, friendly, charming place, right in the middle of the city? Why don’t you do like I am doing this week, stay at Hotel Scoti.  You can find the best price for Florence hotels with HotelsCombined which quickly searches the databases of more than 30 accommodation suppliers.  Read Karen’s Tips for what to do and see in Florence for ideas for your Florence city break.

The Tuscan city of Florence is home to some of the most beautiful piazzas (squares) in Italy. Below are videos of my three of my favourites. I knew very little about the history of these squares but that was not an impediment to my appreciation of the beauty and architecture of these squares. I wandered around, gazing in awe at the grand buildings and numerous statues.

Piazza della Signoria is an L shaped piazza with the Palazzio Vecchio, the Old Palace, being one of the star attractions. I found it even more enchanting after dark. I really enjoyed walking through the cluster of statues in a covered area, as you could see their reflections on the white wall behind.

The views over Florence are wonderful from Piazzale Michelangelo. We walked up from the Forte di Belverdere at the riverside to the piazzale. The path zigzags up, so it’s never that steep.

We came upon Piazza della Santissima Annunziata when we got lost in Florence. It proved to fortuitous as we stumbled upon the opening day of the Fiorgen Art Exhibition at the Archaeological Museum, just off the piazza.

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More Things to Do in Italy

We’ve plenty more tips for things to do in Italy on Europe a la Carte.

Florence is full of art, shopping, and amazing food. These are no secrets and nor should they be – they are part of any Italian experience, tourist yes but essential too. But once you’ve polished off that second bowl of gelato (yes, I know – it was a small bowl), do you know about these hidden Florentine secrets?

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Photo by Chi King

• The Vasari Corridor (or Vasarian Corridor). You will not notice this one unless you’re looking out for it. This walkway is a couple of storeys above ground and runs one kilometre from Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti, cross the Arno River across the Ponte Vecchio (yes the famous bridge with all the shops). It was closed to tourists until the 70s, but this passageway was built in 1565! The Uffuzi often have a number of different gallery displays in here, but it is notoriously difficult to get a booking – you must book well in advance. Best advice? Ask your accommodation/hotelier/B&B to book for you, as most have good connections with the local authorities.
• Mercado di Sant’Ambrogio. If the smell of leather is leaving you a bit faint, then head for this fantastic open-air food market. Ok – slightly less practical for gifts and souvenirs, but if you want to see what a real Italian market is like, this is it.
• Casa Buonarroti. Do the immense crowds and fiendish guards at Michaelangelo’s David got you down? Want to get a better feel for this artist’s work? Then head to his former home, Casa Buonarroti. From a charming little chapel to art and archaeology, just close your eyes and pictures the artist at work. You’ll be hard pressed to find something of his not noteworthy in this collection.
• Boboli Gardens. Ok, this is by no means a secret, but wander off the main paths and see where your feet take you. There’s quite the expanse of trails, with hidden away statues, carvings, and benches to rest your weary feet if you wander off too far. Trust me on this one – get lost, you’ll thank me for it on the other side :)

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