Tag Archives: oltrarno
Walking Tour: The Living Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa is intrinsically tied to France. Paris has claimed her as their own and rightfully so. Leonardo himself brought her to France when he went to work in the court of King Francis I. But Mona Lisa is not French at all. She’s Florentine. And while her portrait will likely never leave the Louvre, the […]
upcoming events: december 2015
Chestnuts roast in the crisp winter air. Strands of twinkling lights dance from palazzo to palazzo overhead. Pop-up shops display artisanal ornaments and cafe windows invite us inside to warm our fingers around a steaming cup of cioccolata calda. Florence kills it at Christmas. For these compulsive walkers, the best way to enjoy the city all dressed up for the season […]
where to stay in florence: palazzo belfiore
When planning our trip to Italy back in 2013, we found ourselves in the midst of a booking snafu that was potentially very expensive and a bit embarrassing for the likes of two ladies who fancy themselves seasoned travel vets. In the end, we learned some great information we could share with you all, so we consider […]
kimye’s wedding: finding history and culture in the hot mess
“Kim is even more beautiful than I am talented,” gushed the always humble Kanye West in one of his three, 20-minute speeches throughout the course of the Kimye wedding weekend. With five first dances, a massive gold box housing the bathrooms, one Jayden Smith running around in a white batman costume, and Kanye’s wedding present to […]
the basilica of santo spirito
I go to Santo Spirito in search of trinkets at artisan markets. I go to Santo Spirito on Sunday afternoons to bask on the sunny steps of the church, with a few good friends and a Gusta Panino. I go when I find myself in an outfit that I am proud to say pushes my […]
the medici walk: part 2
This walk was originally featured on Tuscany Arts! Looking for part 1? It’s right here. With a caffeine buzz and time to take in the first half of our Medici saga, let’s get back on our track with your Medici warm-up walk of Florence in Piazza della Signoria. Distance: 800 m Time: 45 minutes Cost: […]
florence’s best markets by neighborhood
We understand that shopping fundamentally flies in the face of our Florence for Free mantra, but you’d miss a major part of Italian culture if you didn’t explore the country’s many open-air markets! Brimming with charming antiques, fresh fruits, and homemade soaps, each bazaar is a feast for the senses. Of course, buying something is […]
stefano bardini museum
They say people have something like 5 love languages right? Well this February Florence only needs one way to say I love you – Un Bacione a Firenze. As Meg told us a few weeks ago, one Sunday each month during 2013, Florence is opening the doors to some of its top tier treasures and […]
the capponi chapel
Mannerism: an artistic style of art popular in the mid-16th century that is undeniably weird but also totally awesome Ok, so I didn’t get that definition out of my old Art History textbook, but that’s pretty much it. And if you don’t believe me take a stroll over to the Oltrarno to check out the […]
walking tour: christmas in florence
When I was four I saw Miracle on 34th Street for the first time. I decided then and there that surely nothing could be more magical than New York City at Christmastime. Over the next twenty years of watching holiday romantic comedies I wove an elaborate NYC holiday fantasy that involved ice-skating at Rockefeller Center, Christmas shopping […]
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Emily
Florence for Free 