Tracey's Tastes

A 3-Day Florence Itinerary Filled with Art, Food and Fun

The train to Florence was a completely different experience than the chaotic Cinque Terre line. This one allowed for reserved seats (thank goodness), and it only required a single change in Pisa. Even so, the “luggage challenge” was still alive and well—picture two women with giant suitcases squeezing onto already crowded train cars. By now, we were practically professional human Tetris players.

When we finally rolled into Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station, I was officially “on duty.” This portion of the trip was my responsibility, so the pressure was real. I’d come armed with skip-the-line museum passes, carefully chosen restaurant reservations, and a bucket list of things I’d missed during my last visit. My sister? She were counting on me to deliver. No pressure, right?

We wheeled our bags down Via Faenza to our hotel—The Accademia Hotel. At first glance, I thought, uh oh… my sister is NOT going to like this one. Two steep flights of stairs just to reach the reception desk, and then another climb to our room. And when I say climb, I mean five windy flights with oversized suitcases in the dead of summer. My cardio workout for the entire year was handled.

When we checked in, our room wasn’t ready, so the hotel manager graciously offered to stash our bags. He also recommended a lunch spot around the corner where misting fans sprayed us while we sat outside. Bliss! We ordered two pizzas and two rosés—because in Florence, hydration clearly comes in wine glasses.

Back at the hotel, we got a surprise: the desk clerk had actually carried our luggage up all those flights for us. *An angel in disguise!* Sure, the room was a little spartan compared to our last hotel, but it was clean, the bathroom was great, and the air conditioning worked like a dream. Good enough for me. I told my sister, “Don’t even think about it—we’re staying!”

Day One: Michelangelo’s Masterpiece

Our first Florence adventure was a 4:00 p.m. date with *The David* at the Accademia Gallery. I’d booked our tickets through @GetYourGuide, and I swear they must have my picture on file. A rep walked straight up to me in the crowd, called me by name (freaky but fabulous), and handed us our tickets before personally walking us to the front of the line. We breezed through security like VIPs. If only airport security worked that way.

Inside, we began with Michelangelo’s unfinished Slaves statues before turning the corner—and there he was. David. Towering, perfectly sculpted, and surrounded by tourists snapping selfies from every angle. Even after all these years, the sheer size and detail of the statue take your breath away.

We explored the rest of the Accademia, then headed to dinner at Trattoria ZaZa, a quirky, historical spot just a short walk away. The place is filled with eclectic décor—you could spend your whole meal just people-watching and admiring the walls. I kicked things off with a Negroni (when in Florence…), followed by their famous spaghetti Bolognese paired with a Tuscan red wine. It was carb heaven, and I wasn’t mad about it.

Day Two: Uffizi, Palaces & Perfect Pasta

We kicked off our second morning with the hotel’s breakfast, which sadly fell flat after the Grand Hotel in Cinique Terre. Lesson learned—we skipped it the next morning. Most of the guests were fellow Americans, which made it feel less “Italian chic” and more like a college reunion.

Our first big stop: the Uffizi Gallery. I’d booked these tickets directly through the Italian government’s website (cheaper and just as easy). The Uffizi is massive—if you do it right, plan to spend hours there. By the time we reached the three-quarter mark, we were fading fast. But then came the Caravaggio exhibit, including the famous Medusa painted around 1597. It was haunting and completely worth pushing through our museum fatigue.

Three hours later, we emerged blinking into the sunlight, ready for food and shade. Crossing the Ponte Vecchio, we found ourselves in a sea of jewelry shops. Honestly, I’d forgotten that’s what lined the bridge, and it felt a bit like walking through a glittery mall in Renaissance disguise. Still, the view over the Arno was stunning.

We stopped for lunch at Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina, directly across from the Pitti Palace. Handmade pasta with fresh tomatoes and olive oil, paired with misting fans blowing across our table, made for a perfectly simple yet perfect meal.

Afterward, we toured the Pitti Palace. Thanks to a kind ticket agent, we added the Royal Apartments to our entry pass. The ornate furniture, gilded ceilings, and heavy drapery were straight out of a Medici soap opera. Then we wandered into the Boboli Gardens. Think Versailles-lite—expansive and stately, but with far fewer flowers in bloom. Still, the Orangery and sweeping layouts made it worth the trek.

Dinner that evening was at La Buchetta (Borgo S. Croce location). The surprise of the night? They had a wine window! We’d been hunting for one the whole trip. Our waiter for the night was not only charming but also gave us spot-on food and wine recommendations. By the end of the night, we were basically ready to adopt him as our Italian brother.

On our Uber ride back, the driver suggested we stop at Santa Cocktail Club in Piazza Santa Maria Novella. Picture an open square with live music—someone strumming guitar and singing under the stars—paired with cocktails in hand. It felt like Florence was personally saying, “Stay a little longer.”

Day Three: Wandering Florence

By day three, we ditched the itinerary and decided to simply wander. Sometimes, that’s when the best memories happen.

We started with breakfast at Scudier, where I finally tried a pistachio croissant. Paired with a strong Americano, it was breakfast perfection.

Next, we stumbled into the Officina Profuma Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. Dating back to 1612, this historic pharmacy and perfumery was originally founded by monks who created herbal remedies. Inside, frescoes decorated the vaulted chapel ceilings. Even better? While waiting in line, they handed out lemon ices to cool us down.

Our wandering led us to the Basilica di Santa Croce, the resting place of Michelangelo, Galileo, and Machiavelli. A word to the wise: they’re strict about dress code. The teenage girls in front of us were handed ponchos to cover their shoulders, and I got told to tug my skort down to knee length. A little awkward, but worth it.

By then, it was time for lunch (again). We ducked into Buca San Giovanni, a cool cave-like restaurant that felt like stepping back in time. The food? Fantastic. Refueled, we headed off for some shopping.

At the Central Market, we browsed rows of leather stalls—bags, belts, and notebooks galore. Upstairs at the Mercato Centrale, the food stalls were almost overwhelming in their deliciousness. If only we’d had another day, I would have happily eaten my way through each counter.

Back at the hotel, we packed for our early flight home, but not before one last meal. Skipping pasta, we opted for Asian fusion @Pine and Apple on Via de’ Vecchietti. Sleek décor, flavorful dishes, and a sexy atmosphere—it was the perfect palate cleanser after two weeks of carbs.

Arrivederci, Florence

Our Florence chapter ended with full stomachs, sore feet, and happy hearts. The museums dazzled, the food didn’t disappoint, and even the stair climbs became part of the story. It was the perfect finale to a trip that fed my soul as much as my stomach.

Tomorrow, it’s back home—but a little piece of Florence will always stay with me.