Hotels in Fiesole

Villa San Michele, Villa Fiesole Hotel and Pensione Bencistà are close to the wedding venue. For all 3 hotels we have set up a room block until April 15.
If you would like to make a reservation in any of the 3 click the below links and use the code Silvia Galfo Laurent Kreutz.

Hotels in Florence

Florence offers a large variety of hotels. Please find below a short selection from the most affordable to the most luxurious ones, all in the center of Florence and 15-20 minutes from Villa Di Maiano in Fiesole.

Renting a Villa

If you plan to extend your stay to an Italian summer vacation, one of our favorite sites to rent beautiful villas in Italy and Tuscany is Weekhomes.com. Our friend Giacomo will take well care of you by using the code WeekHomesSilvia.

DISCOVER FLORENCE

Florence’s city center is very compact and pedestrianized, you can walk across the city in less than 30 minutes. Below are Florence’s must-see sites, while strolling the countless piazzas and small streets.

HISTORIC CENTER:

PIAZZA DUOMO
Visit the Cathedral Santa Maria del Fiore, the most recognizable landmark of the city & climb Giotto’s Belltower (463 steps) for some of the best views in Florence. To climb up to the top of Brunelleschi’s Dome and Giotto’s Belltower you need to get tickets in advance.

GALLERIA DELL’ACCADEMIA
This art museum is home to Michelangelo’s most famous work, including David. Best way to visit is with a guided tour that also skips the line.

PIAZZA DELLA REPUBBLICA
Take a wander around and have an espresso at Caffé Gilli, the oldest cafe in Florence.

PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA, PALAZZO VECCHIO & UFFIZI GALLERY
With the Palazzo Vecchio and Uffizi at its heart, Piazza della Signoria is a cobbled, open-air gallery of grand statues and fountains. Uffizi Gallery is famous for the most impressive collection of Renaissance art. To avoid waiting in lines, book the tickets to the Uffizi in advance or skip the line with a guide,

PONTE VECCHIO
One of the oldest bridges in Florence, filled with little jewelry shops.

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OLTRARNO DISTRICT:
Cross the Ponte Vecchio and the river Arno, the Oltrarno neighborhood is characteristic for cobblestone piazzas, laidback cafes and artisan shops.

PALAZZO PITTI & BOBOLI GARDENS
Palazzo Pitti has been the home of various Florentine dynasties, most notably the Medici family. Discover the royal apartments with their treasury and unique art collection. Behind the Pitti Palace is the epic Boboli Garden, known for its maze of grottos, fountains and tree tunnels.

PIAZZA SANTO SPIRITO
This square is the center of the Oltrarno district, with its charming antiques market, cool bars and restaurants.

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PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO:
One of the best panoramic views and sunsets of Florence. A few steps up the hill is the Romanesque church and monastery San Miniato al Monte.

GELATO

The best places to eat a good, artisanal ice cream.

Gelateria Vivoli - Via Isola delle Stinche, 7r
Gelateria La Carraia - Piazza Sauro Nazario, 25/R
Gelateria dei Neri - Via dei Neri, 9/11R
Gelateria della Passera - Via Toscanella 15/red

APERITIVO

Florence offers various great options for aperitivo. The ones selected below have breathtaking views and scenery.

Serre Torrigiani - Via Guadiana 27
Sesto on Arno Rooftop Bar at the Westin Excelsior - Piazza Ognissanti, 3
Angel Roofbar & Dining at Hotel Calimala - Via Calimala, 2
The Lodge Club - Viale Giuseppe Poggi, 1
Loggia Roof Bar at Palazzo Guadagni - Piazza Santo Spirito, 9
Palazzo Portinari Salviati - Via del Corso, 6
Locale - Via delle Seggiole, 12

RISTORANTI

Some of our favorite restaurants and go to places from our local friends.

Il Santo Bevitore - Via Santo Spirito, 64r
Trattoria 13 Gobbi - Via del Porcellana, 9r
Cibreo Ristorante - Via del Verrocchio, 8r
La Giostra - Borgo Pinti, 10/12/18r
Il Magazzino - Piazza della Passera, 2/3
Angiolino Ai 13 Arrosti - Via Santo Spirito, 36R
Osteria del Pavone - Via del Pavone, 1r
Trattoria 4 Leoni - Via dei Vellutini, 1r

PANINO

Tasting the delicious Tuscan sandwich is a must do in Florence, whether for lunch on the go or just as snack.

I Fratellini - Via dei Cimatori, 38/r
I Maledetti Toscani - Via dei Cerchi, 19r
Procacci - Via de’ Tornabuoni, 64R

BOTTEGHE - ARTISANAL SHOPS & MORE

The Florentine culture can also be discovered through its countless small artisanal shops, as well as some interesting fashion & lifestyle spots.

ARTISANAL SHOPS
Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella - Via della Scala, 16
Maestro Profumiere Sileno Cheloni Firenze - Via S. Niccolò, 72R
AquaFlor Firenze Profumi - Borgo Santa Croce, 6
Scuola del Cuoio - Via S. Giuseppe, 5/R
Bottega d’arte Maselli - Via de’ Ginori, 51/R
Scarpelli Mosaici - Via Ricasoli, 59/r
Antico Setificio Fiorentino - Via Lorenzo Bartolini, 4
Ginori 1735 Firenze - Via dei Rondinelli, 17
Il Torchio - Via de’ Bardi, 17
At Scriptorium - Via de’ Pucci, 4


FASHION & LIFESTYLE SHOPS
Gucci Garden - Piazza della Signoria 10
Luisa Via Roma - Via Roma, 19/21/r
Bjork Florence - Via dello Sprone, 25R
La Menagere - Via de’ Ginori, 8/R
Street Doing Vintage Couture - Via dei Servi, 88/r
Loretta Caponi - Piazza Antinori, 4r

VISIT FIESOLE

Located on a hilltop offering a very scenic view of Florence and Tuscan countryside, Fiesole is home to a wide range of historical sites, churches and parks where you can spend some time escaping the crowds in Florence.

ETRUSCAN-ROMAN ARCHEOLOGICAL AREA
In a lush setting you’ll find the Roman amphitheater of the Imperial era, remains of the Roman baths and a stretch of Etruscan walls. The ruins are in great condition and still somewhat undiscovered by tourists.

CONVENTO SAN FRANCESCO & THE VIEW OF FLORENCE
The best view of Florence, olive trees and the surrounding Tuscan Hills is along the climb up to the monastery of San Francesco at the crest of the higher hill on which Fiesole sits on. After the viewpoint, you’ll find Convento San Francesco.

PANCHINA DELLA REGINA
At the top of Via Vecchia Fiesolana there is the Panchina della Regina (Bench of the Queen), so called because its panoramic view made it the favorite place of Queen Victoria of Fiesole during her summer vacation in 1888.