Florence Travel Diary

Florence, the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, was by far our favorite destination in the country. As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence offers a breathtaking artistic and cultural heritage, from its world-renowned museums and stunning architecture to its charming piazzas.

WHERE WE STAYED

Hotel Regency | Situated on the Piazza Massimo D’Azegilio, this was our favorite hotel in Italy. Pristinely Art Deco, we checked into a room with a neatly made canopied bed. The windows opened up to a tree-filled park central to the square. The hotel dining area opened onto a lush garden.

We enjoyed a leisurely lunch of charcuterie on the patio. A resident bird we named Enrico danced to the music piping out of the speakers and perched on nearby chairs looking for handouts. The lattes were the best I’ve ever tasted.

THE DUOMO

The next day we strolled to the Duomo. As we approached, a classical guitarist strummed Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Of all the places I’ve visited in my travels, the Duomo is certainly the most magnificent. The Taj Mahal, the Grand Canyon, the Southern Alps of New Zealand, all now seemed to pale in comparison. There is a presence at the Duomo, hundreds of years accumulated in one handsomely designed building that seemed to loom so largely and high that I felt practically overwhelmed. So much so that we had to break for a coffee to take in the experience.

The ascent to the Duomo’s summit reveals panoramic views of the city’s terra-cotta rooftops and Tuscan landscapes. The cathedral’s interior, with its frescoes and stained glass, displays the merging of faith and artistry in Florence’s history.

On the way back to the hotel, we stopped for pizza and wandered the squares to take photographs of the immaculate architecture. We spent the evening parked in two club chairs of the Art Deco hotel lounge. My husband said he intended to propose in Florence, but the moment in Venice overtook him. And I can see why – Florence has an undeniably pristine beauty, clean and whitewashed as sun baked limestone. We vowed we would one day return.