Revisiting Florence in Spring Offers a Welcoming Getaway from London
Imagining paradise on Earth? Hit Florence, baby! This Italian city is pure heaven with its Renaissance art and architecture that'll send your spirits soaring and its Tuscan meals, the perfect indulgence for your body. You ain't alone in thinking so, every renowned artist, musician, and writer from Europe seems to have made a beeline for Tuscany, and the poet John Milton was no exception.
He penned part of his magnum opus, Paradise Lost, in the glorious Garden of the Gaddis. Although the gardens are no more, the Palazzo Gaddi and Palazzo Arrighetti, the survivors, let you experience a taste of that lavish grandeur now. Since the summer of 2024, these architectural masterpieces of the 16th century elegantly serve as Florence's finest hotel, the Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi.
Staying at this ancient beauty is like stepping back in time, surrounded by original Baroque frescoes, heraldic coats of arms, and breathtaking rooftop views of the Duomo. The Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi, protected by Italy's General Directorate of Antiquities and Fine Arts, is the perfect spot to let your creativity run wild.
Slouching comfortably in the Milton Bar, sipping on the divine Lost Paradise, a herbal digestif by the Florentine distillery, Fermenthinks, I plotted my journey through the city. Known as the Cradle of the Renaissance, Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with most of its original 15th and 16th-century structures still intact. Avoiding the pomp and pretense, I decided to stroll around, soaking in the sights just like Milton and Galileo did centuries ago.
Starting at the Basilica di San Lorenzo and Palazzo Medici Riccardi, I ambled along, taking in the splendor of the Duomo and its equally breathtaking marble-clad baptistry. A lengthy line at the cathedral square kept me from exploring inside, but I wasn't complaining. Instead, I moved on to the awe-inspiring Palazzo Vecchio, a 13th-century landmark more fortress than palace, with mind-blowing rooftop views of the city.
With the wind whipping my hair and the chill in the air, I stood, captivated by the man-made beauty I couldn't put into words. Florence's cityscape is the epitome of what you'd imagine it to be. Want more to see? Check out our guide for the best restaurants in Florence!
Winter was setting in, and the Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence's humongous art collection, was open late. With a museum of this magnitude, it would take weeks to appreciate it all, but a few hours were enough to give you a taste. I approached the art pieces haphazardly, finding myself mesmerized by any piece that caught my eye. The stiff, muscular bodies of The Wrestlers have stood the test of time, even though their limbs remain locked in eternal combat.
Some rooms featured numerous depictions of the Virgin Mary and Christ, but Vanessa Beecroft's Self-Portrait, VBSS 03 MP and Antonio Allegri's Adoration of the Christ Child stood out with the intensity of their gazes. And, Birth of Venus held the room in awe, bombastically presenting the goddess half-naked, trying in vain to protect her modesty.
Bellies rumbling, I made my way back to the Terrae Restaurant at the Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi, where Michelin-star Chef Iside De Cesare serves up delectable delicacies in a gastronomic time-travel experience. Dining at Terrae is nothing short of a dream, with hidden ingredients bursting with flavor and a cheese trolley to die for.
Fact box
Sophie Ibbotson enjoyed her stay courtesy of Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi (tivolihotels.com), where rooms start from £189 per night. British Airways (britishairways.com) offers direct flights from London to Florence for £125 return.
- Sophie Ibbotson, inspired by the lavish lifestyle and history of Tuscany, decided to plan her return to Florence, having been tremendously captivated by its charm.
- In the Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi, a hotel nestled within architectural masterpieces of the 16th century, Sophie envisioned herself penning her own poetry, feeling a profound connection with John Milton who penned parts of 'Paradise Lost' there.
- After a day filled with admiring the city's Renaissance art, architecture, and breathtaking views, Sophie looked forward to enjoying a taste of Tuscan cuisine at Terrae Restaurant, reminiscent of the indulgent Tuscan meals she had experienced during her initial visit.
