Italy 26 June – 9 July
Florence Cathedral at sunset β€” Brunelleschi's terracotta dome and the gold-lit marble Gothic facade.

San Lorenzo

Florence

3–4 Jul 1 night

Only one night, so prioritise. Anchor on a pre-booked Duomo experience and sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo; treat the rest as 'if time allows'.

Where you're staying Β· Booking.com

Top things to do

Florence at twilight from Piazzale Michelangelo β€” the Duomo and Campanile rising above the city's terracotta roofs.

Sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo

Sophie's Plan

The classic panorama over Florence's rooftops and the Duomo at golden hour.

Open in Maps
The marble Gothic facade of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, with Giotto's Campanile rising at right.

Florence Duomo

Sophie's Plan

The cathedral and Brunelleschi's dome β€” the centrepiece of the city.

Must book early. The dome climb is a separate timed reservation and sells out.

Open in Maps
A vintage photobooth strip β€” sepia-toned portraits of friends in a 1920s photo arcade.

Vintage photobooths

Sophie's Plan

Hunt down an analog photobooth for a keepsake strip.

Open in Maps
Hotel Baglioni in Florence β€” the warm-lit facade with the Italian flag, home to the Loggia rooftop bar.

Rooftop bar (Loggia / Baglioni)

Sophie's Plan

Sundowner with a rooftop view over the city.

Open in Maps
A buchetta del vino β€” one of the small arched wine windows in a Florence palazzo wall, where wine has been served since the Renaissance.

Wine window (buchetta del vino)

Sophie's Plan

Order a glass through a centuries-old wine window in a palazzo wall.

Open in Maps

Claude's additions

Michelangelo's David in its domed apse at the Galleria dell'Accademia in Florence.

Accademia (Michelangelo's David)

Claude's pick

Home of the David β€” needs an advance timed ticket or skip the queue eats your day.

Book ahead.

Open in Maps
The Uffizi Gallery courtyard in Florence β€” the long colonnaded corridor framing a view down to the Arno.

Uffizi Gallery

Claude's pick

World-class Renaissance collection; advance timed tickets essential.

Book ahead.

Open in Maps
An Italian gelateria display case β€” rows of flavours under glass, including Nutella, pistachio and stracciatella.

Gelateria dei Neri

Claude's pick

Excellent gelato beyond Vivoli β€” worth the short walk.

Open in Maps
Mercato Centrale in San Lorenzo, Florence β€” the 19th-century iron-and-glass market hall with arcades and stalls at the entrance.

Mercato Centrale

Claude's pick

Food hall in San Lorenzo (right by your stay) β€” easy, excellent dinner.

Open in Maps

If you have time β€” Tuscan day-trip

Florence is one night, so this is genuinely optional β€” but if you're up early or extending, both are within ~1h of the city.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa and the marble cathedral on the Piazza dei Miracoli at sunset β€” a sunburst between them.

Leaning Tower of Pisa

Sophie's Plan

The famous tilt on the Piazza dei Miracoli β€” ~1h by train from Florence. Quick out-and-back is doable in a half-day; pair with the Duomo and Baptistery on the same square.

Book the tower climb in advance (timed, limited numbers).

Open in Maps
Lucca's Renaissance walls β€” the tree-lined ramparts encircling the old town in Tuscany.

Lucca

Claude's pick

Walled Renaissance town, ~1h15 by train from Florence (or 30 min beyond Pisa). Cycle the tree-lined ramparts encircling the old town.

Open in Maps