For an invigorating change from London's bustling atmosphere this spring, consider a getaway to the captivating city of Florence, Italy.
If you're on the quest for a slice of heaven on earth, Florence, Italy, is the place to be. This Italian city's Renaissance art and architecture will send your spirit soaring, the mountainous backdrop will refresh your eyes and soul, and the food and drink? It's nothing short of a Tuscan feast, just what your body ordered, both in this life and the next.
You're not the first one to reach such a conclusion; every European artist, musician, and writer worth their salt seems to have beaten a trail to Tuscany. Among these creative powerhouses, the poet John Milton held a special affinity for Florence, spending two years in and out of the "Paradise of the Gaddi." It was here that Milton penned parts of Paradise Lost, and while the gardens have long vanished, you too can experience a touch of that grandeur at the Gaddis' two surviving palaces, Palazzo Gaddi and Palazzo Arrighetti. Together, these architectural masterpieces from the 16th century make up Florence's finest hotel, now known as the Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi.
Surrounded by original Baroque frescoes and heraldic coats of arms, and boasting jaw-dropping rooftop views of the Duomo, who knows what inspiration might strike you if you check in here for a long weekend? I, for one, plotted out my city tour from the Milton Bar with a Lost Paradise, a herbal digestif made by the Florentine distillery, Fermenthinks, in hand.
Florence's Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protecting for the most part the 15th and 16th century city of the Medicis. Instead of striding out purposefully, take a leisurely stroll, exploring the very streets where Milton and his contemporaries, including the astronomer Galileo, would have sauntered 400 years ago. Wander aimlessly, first to the Basilica di San Lorenzo and Palazzo Medici Riccardi, then between the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (better known as the Duomo) and its equally iconic, marble-clad baptistry.
A long line of tourists and pilgrims snaked across the cathedral square, the waiting time deterring me from venturing inside, so I continued on to the Palazzo Vecchio, a 13th-century landmark which looks far more like a fortress than a palace. Climb the Duomo's cupola for breathtaking views, but the vistas from the top of Palazzo Vecchio's tower are better, because then you can see the Duomo, too. The red-orange dome takes center stage, with swathes of terracotta rooftops around it, and the green-blue mountain ridge beyond. With my hair whipped by the chill wind but my mind completely clear, I stared out at a level of manmade beauty I cannot put into words. Florence's cityscape is everything you imagine it would be.
For more info on Florence's best restaurants, check out Eat, drink, sleep, repeat: The best restaurants in Florence.
A short winter day found me at the neighboring Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence's gargantuan art collection. With a museum of this scale, you would need weeks to do it justice; a few hours will give you but a taste. Take a scatter approach, darting in and out of rooms and standing, dazzled, before anything which particularly catches your eye. The firm, sculpted bodies of The Wrestlers belie their 2,000 years, though their limbs are now trapped in combat for eternity. Among hundreds of depictions of the Virgin Mary and the Christ child, Vanessa Beecroft's Self-Portrait, VBSS 03 MP and Antonio Allegri's Adoration of the Christ Child - an unexpected pairing, I must say - stood out on account of the intensity of the mothers' gaze. And then, demanding utmost reverence, is Sandro Botticelli's Birth of Venus, utterly dominating her room. The subject makes a half-hearted attempt to protect her modesty with her golden hair, but she knows as well as you do that everyone passing can't help but stop and stare.
With my head and heart full of art, I tromped back through dark but lively streets to Palazzo Gaddi, stomach rumbling. The hotel's Terrae Restaurant opens out onto its Secret Garden, a place where if I had the luxury of being like Milton, I, too, would spend endless days and nights, relaxing, thinking, and capturing the resulting thoughts in poetry and prose. Having won a Michelin star for La Parolina in Trevinano, Chef Iside De Cesare has recently come to Florence, creating menus which take fortunate diners on a gastronomic journey through time and place. The dishes in her six-course tasting menu at Terrae (€120; wine pairings €80) dance across the palate with flair, hidden ingredients such as sour plum bursting out from a white cheese and basil oil amuse bouche, while swirls of pickled beetroot enrobe smoky-sweet cubes of fish. And if I needed any more inspiration from Florence, Terrae's cheese trolley is the stuff that dreams are made of. And they are happy, tremendously well-fed dreams at that.
Fact box
Sophie Ibbotson was a guest of Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi (tivolihotels.com), where rooms start from £189 per night. British Airways (britishairways.com) flies direct from London to Florence from £125 return.
Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi Firenze, located in the heart of Florence, is a historic hotel that was commissioned by the noble Gaddi family in the late 1500s[2]. While it is not explicitly mentioned as the residence of John Milton in the search results, it is known for its Renaissance art and architecture. The hotel is set within historic buildings, including Palazzo Gaddi and Palazzo Arrighetti, and features Baroque style and historical art throughout[5].
- Renaissance Architecture: The hotel is situated in buildings that date back to the Renaissance period, offering a glimpse into the architectural styles of that era.
- Baroque Style: It boasts Baroque decor and historical art, creating a unique and culturally rich environment.
- Historic Location: Situated in the historic center of Florence, it is close to famous landmarks like the Duomo and Basilica di Santa Maria Novella[1][3].
- Rooftop Bar: Offers stunning views of the city, including the Duomo, enhancing the guest experience with panoramic views[1][4].
- Mediterranean Cuisine: The hotel features a restaurant offering Mediterranean-inspired dishes, providing guests with a culinary experience tied to the local culture[5].
Commissioned by the Gaddi family, the hotel's history is intertwined with the noble families of Florence during the Renaissance. However, there is no specific mention of John Milton residing there in the available information.
The enchanting ambiance of Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi, with its original Baroque frescoes and heraldic coats of arms, makes it an ideal place for a home-and-garden lifestyle getaway in Florence. After exploring the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site, one can unwind in theSecret Garden of Terrae Restaurant, reminiscent of John Milton'spoetic retreat in Tuscany. On the other hand, the adventurous traveler might find inspiration in the captivating rooftop views of the city, evoking the spirit of Florence's renowned artists, writers, and musicians who once called this city their home.
