Epic Family Florence Trip - 3, 4, 5 days and more.

Duomo

Ciao, bella famiglia! Strap on your sandals and grab your gelato spoons because we're about to dive into the heart of Italy's Tuscan capital! Explore the blend of modern and historical gems, art, architecture, and most importantly, gelato. From scalin the Duomo to admiring the sculptures in Piazza della Signoria, this open-air museum is full of opportunities for learning about Medici history, to exploring the most influential artists of Rennaissance. The museums are full of famous works like Michaelangelo's "David" and Botticelli's "Birth of Venus". This city offers a mix of cultural immersion, modern fun, and delicious Tuscan fare.

Florence

Day 1: Intro to Florence

• Morning: Start your visit with a free walking tour like GuruWalk to orient and learn about the Medici family and the Renaissance. Visit Piazza della Signoria to see this outdoor museum. Stop by the Fountain of Neptune and maybe catch some performers.

  

  Fountain of Neptune

• Afternoon: All'Antico Vinaio, one of the most famous sandwich shops in Florence for lunch. Grab some gelato from a local gelateria. Rub the nose of the Porcellino Statue for good luck. Get a treat at Venchi Gelateria and see the chocolate waterfall. Stop by the beautiful Piazza Della Repubblica, an elegant square that was once the site of Florence's Roman Forum. Visit the Medici Chapels for insight into the Medici family's legacy.

  
  

• Evening:  Head to the Galleria dell'Accademia to see "David" by Michelangelo and other Renaissance art that's engaging for the whole family.

Galleria dell'Accademia

Day 2: Essential Florence

• Morning:  Head to the Piazza del Duomo, where Florence's heart beats. The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore stands out with its iconic red-tiled dome designed by Brunelleschi. Climb to the top of the dome, Duomo, for the killer views. Check out the Baptistery of St. John and  its historic bronze doors, by Ghiberti, often referred to as the "Gates of Paradise." 

  

  View from Duomo

• Afternoon: Shop for leather goods, art, or souvenirs in the San Lorenzo Market. Visit the Mercato Centrale for a gourmet adventure offering everything from traditional Florentine dishes to international cuisine. Choose from the wide variety of foods in the stalls on the second floor.

  

  Mercato Centrale

• Evening: Cross the medieval arched bridge, Ponte Vecchio, lined the jewelry shops to get to the other side of the Arno river. Explore the Oltrarno district, known for its artisans. Climb up to Piazzale Michelangelo for an epic sunset view over Florence.

  

  Piazzale Michelangelo

Day 3: Art, History, and Food

• Morning: A visit to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the world's most prestigious art museums, housing an unparalleled collection of Renaissance masterpieces. The museum's most famous painting "Birth of Venus" by Botticelli. There are special family tours.

  

  Birth of Venus at Uffizi Gallery

• Afternoon:  This fortress-like structure is now a museum where you can explore rooms that once housed the Medici family. The "Hall of the Five Hundred" is particularly impressive with its frescoes. Palazzo Vecchio also has secret passages and a rooftop terrace for views.

  

  Palazzo Vecchio

  Visit the Basilica of Santa Croce to see where the famous Florentines are laid to rest including Michelangelo, Galileo, and other luminaries.

• Evening: Try a cooking class of choice - pizza, pasta, or gelato workshops available. Or just wander the streets.

  

Day 4: Day Trip Options

• Option 1: Day Trip - Head to Pisa to see and climb the Leaning Tower. Enjoy the photo ops in the Piazza dei Miracoli. Don't miss the Cathedral and Baptistery. Pisa is 1 hour away by train.

  

  Pisa

• Option 2: Siena - A beautiful medieval city nearby, with the famous Piazza del Campo.

  By bus from Florence's Santa Maria Novella station, it takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.

• Option 3: Lucca - This charming medieval walled city with a unique atmosphere. Its walls are now a beautiful cycling and walking path. The direct train takes about 1 hour 20 minutes.

  

  Lucca

• Option 4: Fiesole - Enjoy the hike and the panoramic views of Florence. Visit the Roman theatre and Etruscan ruins here. Visit by bus from Florence, 30 minutes away.

• Try to visit several locations on a bus tour.

  
  

  Day 5 and beyond: More to see

• Morning: Visit the Pitti Palace for the art collection and its Boboli Gardens. The gardens are perfect for a leisurely morning stroll. The palace has another amazing art collection.

  

  Pitti Palace

• Visit the Leonardo da Vinci Museum or Museo Galileo for cool science, engineering exhibits, and scientific history.

• Afternoon: End with a street art tour or a visit to a local market like Sant'Ambrogio for souvenirs and food. Bike around or do a kayak tour on the Arno River for a different perspective of the city.

• Evening: For a final night in Firenze hang out more Piazza della Signoria and go gelato tasting. Look for seasonal events to enjoy.

  

  Gelato

Info:

• Background: Florence, or Firenze in Italian, is the cradle of the Renaissance, nestled in the heart of Tuscany. Founded by the Romans in 59 BC, it flourished as a medieval city-state, but it was during the 14th to 17th centuries that Florence truly came into its own, becoming the epicenter of art, culture, and politics under the patronage of the Medici family. This period saw the creation of masterpieces by geniuses like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Botticelli, with iconic structures like the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, with its magnificent Brunelleschi dome, and the Uffizi Gallery showcasing these legacies. Today, this city remains a vibrant homage to its illustrious past, its narrow cobbled streets, historic piazzas, and the serene Arno River inviting visitors to step back in time.

• Accommodation: Choose a place close to the historic center for easy walking access to most sites.

• Transportation: Florence is walkable, but for longer trips, use ATAF buses, or taxis. 

• Reservations: Make sure to prebook all the major attractions you want to see.

• Weather: Dress in layers; mornings can be chilly, afternoons warm.

• Budget: Firenze Card for multiple visits, but remember it has a 72-hour validity period.

• Safety: Watch out for your valuables.