Florence!
EAT+DRINK
BREAKFAST: RIVOIRE
Rivoire has been serving Florentines coffee and pastries for more than a century. Sit on the terrace for a light breakfast and espresso.
BRUNCH: LA MÉNAGÈRE
Best known for brunch, La Ménagère houses a bistro, cocktail bar, restaurant, home store, and florist
CASUAL LUNCH: IL MERCATO CENTRALE
Spend a morning or afternoon at Il Mercato Centrale, a gourmet market on the top floor of Florence's central market
SANDWICHES: ALL'ANTICO VINAIO
Famous panineria, worth the wait (if there is one)! Tip: go with their recommendation
LATE LUNCH + COCKTAILS: RIVALTA CAFE
Rivalta Cafe is best for a late lunch + cocktails, and amazing Arno views. DJ comes on around 6, so get there before it gets crowded :)
DINNER: ZEB
Run by a mother-son duo, Zeb is worth a visit if there's just a few of you heading to dinner. The restaurant is cozy with bar-style seating, and the owners are as charming as they come. The son will take care to explain to you every dish on the daily menu :)
COCKTAILS: DOLCE VITA
La Dolce Vita is great for post-dinner cocktails, indoors & outdoors (depending on the weather)
COCKTAILS: LOCALE
If you feel like heading somewhere upscale, visit Locale, housed in a restored palace once owned by the Medicis
DINNER: PARIONE
For a classic, no-frills Florentine dinner, head to Parione
VISIT
BOBOLI GARDENS
Spend an afternoon at the Boboli gardens, situated behind the Palazzo Pitti. Make sure to find the Neptune fountain and Egyptian obelisk when there!
DUOMO
Also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiori. Arrive just before closing time (6:20 P.M. during the week, 5 P.M. on Saturdays) so you can beat the crowds and catch the sunset.
UFFIZI
As one of the most highly-visited attractions in the city, the Uffizi can be hard to manage. The best way to visit is to reserve tickets in advance, link here. You can pick up tickets at door 3 - you'll still have to wait in line, but it'll be much shorter.
BRANCACCI CHAPEL
For art history majors + Renaissance enthusiasts, the Brancacci Chapel is a must. Housed in the church of Santa Maria del Carmine, the chapel is often referred to as the Sistine Chapel of the early Renaissance, featuring works by Masolino, Masaccio and Filippino Lippi.
BARONE RICASOLI
If you have a half-day to spare, visit Barone Ricasoli, the second oldest winery in the world. Tours + tastings are around €35. Given that there are 5 of you, the best way to get there would be by uber, a 1 hr drive from Florence.
SAN MINIATO AL MONTE
San Miniato al Monte, perched on a hillside by Piazzale Michelangelo, is an 11th century church with dimly lit interiors, full of frescoes. Arrive by 4:30PM to hear the Gregorian chants sung by the monks, an amazing experience so say the least.
GALLERIA dell'ACCADEMIA
See the David, along with works by Lippi and Botticelli, at the Galleria dell'Accademia. Like the Uffizi, advance purchase of tickets is recommended, and can be purchased here.