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The NH Concierge’s Tips
It is more than likely that you will arrive in Florence with some idea of what to expect. With the ever-present risk of me over-promising and under-delivering, no matter how beautiful you’ve heard the city is, the experience of actually being here will crank it up a notch or three. Our NH Collection Porta Rossa is perfectly situated downtown and there is no better way to get a feel for the city than by dropping your bags and hitting the nearby streets.
The center of the Tuscan capital is generally bustling and there is plenty to see and do. As you may know, Florence was the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance and the architecture that fills the streets remains a rich source of reference to that time. Buildings of the stature of the Palazzo Pitti, official residence of the Medici family, the grand dukes of Tuscany, is one such example, and the intricately decorated rooms and lush Giardino di Boboli add to its excellence.
As you walk around, you’ll need to steer yourself towards some of the city’s most famous structures: its churches. The Basilica di Santa Croce, San Lorenzo and the Duomo of Santa Maria del Fiore are impossible to walk past without stopping in admiration at their grandeur. I’m particularly fond of the Duomo, famed for its colors, with the basilica exterior made with polychrome marble panels in various shades of green and pink, bordered by white. Thanks to Emilio De Fabris the elaborate 19th-century Gothic Revival façade is appreciated by millions each year.
The Mercato di San Lorenzo is another place that is worth having a look around as you find your feet in Florence. A key location at the end of the 19th century, when this was still the capital of Italy, you’ll find a plethora of vendors with all the prime ingredients that fill any self-respecting Tuscan kitchen. Food plays an important role in the lives of those from here and this can be felt from the enthusiastic interactions at the market.
Despite bursting with so much beauty and intrigue, the other huge appeal of Florence is its very manageable size. Moving from sight to sight or finding the ideal restaurant is almost always possible by foot, and you still have our hotel at a very reachable distance to rest weary legs. For anything that little bit further away, or if time is tight, the local taxi service is always on hand to meet your specific needs. There is a city bus service that hits a number of top venues – the stunning Piazzale Michelangelo being a prime example – and for trips outside of Florence the Santa Maria Novella train station is within easy reach to open up new adventures to the likes of Pisa or Siena.
With an abundance to do and see in this amazing city, allow me to share with you some of my favorites. Pizzale Michelangelo is the place to go for a stunning view over Florence, day or night, and the perfect spot for that photo you’ll almost certainly frame on your return home. Just a short stroll up from the square is the monastery of San Miniato al Monte – you’ll also pass the church of San Salvatore on the way – which provides another spectacular city vista but it’s the uniqueness of the building itself that will capture your attention. It provides a simply beautiful example of original Tuscan Romanesque architecture dating back to the start of the 11th century.
Fancy a typical aperitivo before lunch? Head to Il Locale, which is located in the historical building of the Concini Palace for an atmosphere with a difference in the elegance of its surroundings. Built in the 1200s in the noble quarter of the city, it was recently refurbished bringing its old self back to life and is a favorite place of mine to grab a cocktail with a tasty snack.
Another hidden gem is the Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella, one of the oldest perfume shops in the world. Their products are made entirely from natural ingredients following the traditional process used by Dominican Monks, while also taking advantage of modern technology.
Although the concentrated nature of Florence doesn’t obviously lend itself well to wide, open green spaces, there are some charming exceptions. The Giardino di Boboli, directly behind the Pitti Palace, is a great place to enjoy more of the city’s cultural heritage while being surrounded by trees and greenery. Home to a wonderful collection of sculptures, some dating back to the 16th century, the fountains stand out for me, especially that celebrating Neptune.
For more green space, spread yourself out across the 160 hectares of Le Cascine, the biggest public park in the city. It’s the ideal place for a picnic if the weather permits and you’ll always find a vendor of delicious Italian gelatos or a local iced drink known as a granita. This park is just a few steps away from our NH Firenze on Vittorio Veneto.
Museums are often the backbone of any trip where there is an interest in the local culture. What can sometimes prove more challenging to this activity is generating excitement in the younger members of the family. Florence offers some ideal options with this in mind and where better to start than with Leonardo da Vinci. Take the ‘Leonardo’s Machines’ tour and watch as the fresh faces light up as their hands construct and deconstruct the famous models of the artist, engineer, inventor. They play, they learn and their creativity and imagination are taken on a truly remarkable journey. More discoveries are found at the Museo degli Uffizi where experiences such as ‘Stories of Colors’ are dedicated to inquisitive little ones. What a fantastic way to understand the meaning of all the colors and shades through the most famous of the art masterpieces.
Florence, like the rest of Italy, prides itself on its culinary offerings and therefore it would be remiss of me not to point you in the direction of some of my favorite eateries. For a quick bite pop into the aforementioned Mercato di San Lorenzo, perfect when tasty sustenance is required in between visits to museums and cathedrals. With all types of meat, fish, pasta and pizza dishes available, you’ll always find something to suit everyone’s taste and I recommend you try to find the very traditional, and incomparable, ‘Fiorentina’.
A must when it comes to Florence snacking is All’antico Vinalo, a place that makes the simple sandwich take on a new meaning. These bready delights are the talk of the town, with fresh ingredients and a family atmosphere likely to have you back before your stay is over. That something special for your evening meal is served up beautifully by Cantinetta Antinori, a restaurant owned by one of Italy’s principal wine producers. If seafood is more your desire then Il Cestello will not disappoint and its cozy atmosphere and late-night cocktails will almost certainly keep you longer than you had planned. Both of these gems are within ten minutes of the hotel by foot.
Of course, without even stepping out of the NH Collection Porta Rossa you can enjoy culinary excellence. Our Savini Tartufi Truffle restaurant is run by the Savini family, one whose passion for truffles has endured four generations and is famed throughout the city. Savor traditional Tuscan dishes often enriched with the fresh truffles and a carefully selected Italian wine.
Truth be told, just a stroll around this wondrous city at night can be enough to fill the hours. The statues you appreciated during the day now have a whole new look, as the astutely positioned soft lighting gives them a mysterious glow.The chance to soak up the ever-lively evening atmosphere is definitely worth doing. Order a cocktail in one of the trendy bars around the Basilica di Santo Spirito and relax while listening to live music as you watch the evening unfold in front of you.
Opera, as you may imagine, is one of Florence’s unforgettable experiences and can be arranged alongside a typically Tuscan dinner. The Teatro dell’Opera di Firenze is home to the Maggio Musicale Florentino opera, ballet and arts festival, which runs all year round and is well worth the entrance fee. Then you have the city’s oldest theater, the Teatro della Pergola, which has a rich selection of performances to thrill even the most discerning of opera enthusiasts.
There is plenty to keep you occupied in Florence for some time – including the necessary returns to your favorite sights – but if you have the opportunity to see more of architecturally-rich Tuscany then please do. I’d start with Siena, less than 90 minutes from Florence. A wander around this UNESCO World Heritage Site is a joy to behold with its magnificent cathedral and its town hall, sitting in the fan-shaped Piazza del Campo, rightly grabbing much of the tourist attention. Pisa and Lucca are two other options, similar distances from Florence to Siena but to the west, offering just as much interest. Pisa has, among other points, its world-renowned leaning tower, Torre di Pisa, for the obligatory photo capture, while Lucca brings a distinctive Renaissance style with its defense walls surrounding the historical center.
I hope that this has given you a flavor of what you can expect in our wonderful city of Florence but we know that every guest has his or her own tastes and preferences. For that reason we are always available to answer your questions and give you personalized guidance to ensure your stay is completely fulfilling, and likely to be repeated…
I’m Cecilia Ziviani and I’ve been a part of NH Collection since 2016. I love the fact that every day I have the pleasure of meeting lots of people from different countries and cultures. This is a great opportunity to enrich my knowledge enabling me to give the best experience to our guests. NH Collection Porta Rossa is one of the most beautiful hotels in Italy. It has a historical story to tell and we always say that a stay with us is like sleeping in a museum with people truly fascinated by its beauty. My main goal is simple: I put all my efforts and passion into satisfying the needs of our guests.
The five-star NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa is thought to be the oldest hotel in Italy, complete with a 13th-century tower and ancient frescoes. It has an outstanding location in the center of Florence, just a few minutes’ walk from the famous Duomo and Uffizi Gallery.
The 5* Tivoli Palazzo Gaddi Firenze Hotel, formerly known as NH Collection Firenze Palazzo Gaddi, is located in an historical Renaissance palace, just minutes away from Santa Maria Novella railway station in the Renaissance city of Florence.
The NH Firenze hotel is in the Porta al Prato area, near to one of the gates of the ancient Walls of Florence. In front of the hotel is Cascine Park, the city’s biggest green space. And 20 minutes’ walk along the Arno River gets you to the stunning Duomo and the San Lorenzo shopping area.
That view that takes your breath away, that meal that you’ll always remember, and that museum you had never even heard of. Our tips for your Florence stay.
Florence is an art city boasting remarkable and worldwide famous monuments but we are sure you never heard of its ancient skyscrapers.
Whether it’s the masterpieces of one of the world’s most visited museums, or the city’s oldest and most significant bridges, Florence gives you plenty to explore.
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