We couldn't decide if we wanted to do Boboli or Bardini (no time to do both) but we ended up at the…read moreentrance to Bardini first so we decided to check it out. Fair warning, the entrance isn't very clearly marked. It looks just like a business front and I was confused as to how entering the park would actually work. I didn't do much research (which is a shock I know) into this garden before coming and was a bit daunted by the uphill climb. From the entrance, I assumed there would be a funicular or something. I was wrong. Not only am I not in shape, but I've been having some medical issues, and I was terrified I just paid an entrance fee to a park that I cannot check out. Luckily, the switchbacks are super gentle. We could hardly "feel" walking up this hill. There was also a lot to look at as we walked up so it was really a beautiful "hike." We were confused a bit by the signs and how far the garden went up. We weren't the only ones either because two couples past us while we rested on a bench, wondering if they were going the "right way" as well. I was expecting a bit more "garden" but got more "trees and shrubs" but I think this place is worth the hike just for the views of Florence alone.

This beautiful park is under the radar, which isn't exactly a bad thing…read more You can enjoy peaceful walks with incredible views from every part of this park. During my visit, it wasn't crowded at all and it made the experience that much better. Highly recommend!

We haven't left Italy yet but this was phenomenal, number one. Capstone. This is a must do! This…read moreis a game changer. We were here for 2.5 hours and could have been here longer. This is my favorite part of my Florence trip. Simply amazing. So many amazing trials. Uphill , downhill filled with amazing art. Sculpted statues of magic! Church bells going on off while you enjoy this beautiful garden. Truly amazing And beautiful. From kashmere gardens In houston Texas to boboli gardens of Florence Italy. Blessed and highly favored. This is a must stop. Not sure how this doesn't have many reviews. Only 10 dollars to get in. I would have paid 50.00 Google has close to 29k reviews. Don't miss it. This place is a charm. Once in a lifetime experience.

Perfect place for some tranquility in the middle of the city…read more This was not on my list to visit the first time I was in the city. It happened to be just about 5 mins away by foot from where we were staying. We didn't book tickets ahead of time, but it was no problem as there was no line when we got there. There weren't that many flowers in bloom which was a bummer, but everything was trimmed that it reminded me of gardens in France. You can get a ton of steps in if you decide to walk every corner. I went up every stairs I saw. You get a great view of the city from the top. It was so nice to not hear the honks of cars and traffic noise. I was a little jealous of the folks who brought in their lunches. A ton of people were having themselves a little picnic situation in the corners that had shade. The property is kept super clean. I didn't see any staff on the actual grounds, but everything was orderly.

Beautiful square with the Basilica della Santiasima or of the Most Holy Annunciation from 1520. A…read morelarge Foundling Hospital is on one side of the the other piazza. The facade were built later to imitate Brunelleschi's loggia. The west façade, the Loggia dei Servi di Maria in the 1520s. It was built for the mendicant order, the Servi di Maria, but is now a hotel. The equestrian statue of Ferdinand I of Tuscany was made by the noted sculptor Giambologna and placed there in 1608. The fountain was added later.

If it weren't for the chocolate festival that was held here, I would have missed Piazza SS…read moreAnnunziata but I was glad to made my way to see it! Piazza SS Annuziata (The Holiest Annunciation Square) is rather out of the way from the typical tourist route, so not many tourists would make their way out here. Consequently, this is somewhat a hidden gem despite being having some jewels like the arched portico of the orphanage Ospedale degli Innocenti, which was an early Renaissance masterpiece by Brunelleschi - the master behind the Firenze Duomo's signature dome! While I would not recommend this piazza as a must-go destination, it is nonetheless an interesting and quiet location to see. If you have time in Firenze, try to take a detour to here, especially if you are interested in Renaissance architecture.

My dad and I enjoyed this tremendously. Our tour guide, Ben, was extremely nice and personable. He…read morewanted to know about us, and gave us every fact about what we were seeing. He also explained everything thoroughly, while making sure we were comfortable and safe. Definitely worth the money, meeting a local wine maker and eating at her home was once and a lifetime.

Five stars for the team at Tuscany Bike Tours. Here's the day:…read more 9:30am Rendezvous at the shop in Florence. Meet your fellow riders. Try to pick out the riders that seem weaker than you. You'll need this info if it snows and you get stuck in the Pyrenees. 10am Take the shuttle bus out of Florence, into the Tuscan countryside. The van seats 8 comfortably. Bonding time with fellow riders...from Canada and the States and Oz. Note that many of them have cycling gear on. Lie to them and say that you competed in the Tour de France in 2012. Wear your seatbelts on the van. (This is Italy.) 10:45ish Tour the castle. Fortify yourself with a little wine. Get fitted for bikes and helmets. Your bike has a name. Remember it. Off onto the Tuscan roads 1pm Enjoy a late lunch at a little roadside cafe. Bruschetta, salad, pasta, lots of wine and plenty of convivial conversation with your fellow bikers. Tell them you were just joking about the Tour de France. Eat a little fruit and some espresso to get you ready for the road again. Try to remember the name of your bike. Was it "Diablo" or "Dianna Ross"? Consider going back in for some more wine while you try to remember. 2pm Another hour or two of biking the countryside. Your route includes an (optional) 2kilo stretch of road straight up Mount Everest. (Okay not really Mount Everest, but it feels like it by the time you are done.) You have the option of tapping out anywhere along the line. It is grueling. Consider giving up. Consider which of your fellow bikers you'll eat first if you've got to survive. Wish that you had done the Tour de France to warm up. Wish that you had not had so much wine. Wish that you never went on a biking tour. Wish that bikes had never been invented. Reach the top and forget all of this in a rush of endorphins. High five the other bikers. Feel better than you've ever felt. Consider buying a bike. Consider watching the Tour de France this year. Consider hugging that guy you were secretly planning to eat if things got really bad. 4pm Return the bikes and get in the van for the trip home. Realize that this was the best thing you've done in Firenze so far. Have a fantastic time talking to the people on your bike tour. Try to put that business about eating the weak behind you. Get lots of great tips from your driver. 5pm Reluctantly say arrivederci to your fellow bikers. Spend the rest of the evening talking about what a great day it was.

The view of Florence from here is one of my favorite parts of my recent trip there. My sister in…read morelaw mentioned this overlook, and I decided to seek it out. I'm glad that I did! Walking up is a trek, but the path winds you through some quaint neighborhoods and the rose garden and Japanese garden. After a steep hill at the top, we were rewarded with a sweeping view of the city below. Breathtaking is the word I would use to describe the view of the city below with the Duomo as the jewel in Florence's crown. Worth the sweat equity (and you could drive if you were really feeling like taking it easy), do r skip the Piazzale Michelangelo on your trip to Firenze!

An alright plaza a the top of the hill. The way to get here was a bit of a hike, but it wasn't…read moreworth doing all that for this plaza. I would not recommend to come here for it unless there is something else in addition to visit. That way can kill multiple birds with one stone...