Without a doubt the most charming restaurant in Florence, although it is imperative to book a table, especially the ones under the arches.

Il Santo Bevitore’s bakery, perfect for a quick bite to eat before waiting in line at the Duomo.

A perfect trattoria right by the Palazzo Medici. Trattoria Gozzi, known by locals simply as ‘Da Sergio,’ has been serving traditional Tuscan fare since 1915. Two other excellent trattorie are Trattoria Sostanza and Trattoria Mario, an institution in Florence.

The tiniest pizzeria in the Oltrarno neighborhood, with wine barrels instead of tables, and counter service straight with the pizzaiolo.

End any meal or afternoon with homemade ice creams at Vivoli made with the freshest cream and organic eggs.

A little too old school for our taste, but a Michelin-starred institution.

For lunch or dinner in the San Niccolo neighborhood, a mother-and-son duo prepare classic Tuscan dishes, and are famous for their truffle ravioli.

If you’re looking for a quick panino before heading to Siena or Fiesole for the day, Ino and Semel are two excellent options.

A few doors down from Il Santo Bevitore: good wines, small plates, and an incredible atmosphere.

They make excellent sandwiches, and serve even better wines. Go for one or the other, or twice in a day!

A beautiful perfume shop in an old convent, along with the eponymous basilica next door.

Florence’s most famous museum, if you can bear the line.

Walk by the Piazza della signoria (steps away from the Palazzo Vecchio) and the Piazza della Repubblica to see all of Florence’s religious wonders: Duomo, Battistero, Santa Maria del Fiore and Campanile di Giotto.

After visiting the Accademia, explore San Marco: Piazza San Marco and the Fran Angelico frescoes, Palazzo Medici Riccardi, and Gozzoli’s Cappella dei Magi.

For a lovely mid-afternoon stroll, right by the Palazzo Pitti.

The oldest and most beautiful church in Florence, overlooking the entire city and the Piazzale Michelangelo.

Another stunning Basilica is Santa Croce, close to Vivoli’s ice creams.

Florence wouldn’t be Florence without the Duomo and the Ponte Vecchio, as well as the Palazzi Vecchio and Strozzi nearby.

For a day trip near Florence, Fiesole is an old town with some of Florence’s most stunning houses and palaces.

Sienna is also worth a day trip, to climb up the Duomo and see the Palio piazza. Take the scenic route SR222 to go from Florence to Sienna, and stop at Greve in Chianti for lunch: first at Il Ristoro di Lamole for the view, and then at Dario Ceccini’s butcher shop at Panzano in Chianti.

Deeper in Tuscany, you can stay at La buca di Montauto in San Gimignano (an agriturismo where they make wine, olive oil, etc) or at the organic farm Ebbio near Sienna. From there, you will be able to discover towns like Assisi, Montepulciano, Orvieto, Lucca, Perrugia, Voltera…