The charm of Florence is undeniable and, despite the overtourism issue, international press continues to laud it. The latest mention comes from the British daily The Sun, which devoted a long travel feature to the Tuscan city, presenting it as one of Europe’s most suitable destinations for a weekend that blends art, fine food, wine, and of course the Renaissance wonders it houses. Why has it been praised? Certainly for its compact size, which makes it easy to explore even with only a few days available.
Florence, the city praised by The Sun
On the pages of The Sun a travel article portrays Florence as one of the top destinations to spend a weekend; the British newspaper defines it as a Renaissance city to walk around on foot, with a relatively compact historic center where the majority of the main attractions cluster. The climate is another point of pride: generally milder than the British climate, it allows for pleasant getaways practically all year round, but the central focus of the piece remains the city’s experience, where art is not confined to museums. It is in the façades of churches, in the courtyards of palaces, in the sculptures you encounter while crossing a square.
The Sun also highlights a Florence less tied to traditional tourist routes, one of leather workshops, hidden gardens and venues housed in historic buildings, depicting a city that preserves quieter places despite the large influx of visitors, especially when moving away from the busiest streets around the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio.
What to See and Do in Florence According to The Sun
Florence’s success is unstoppable and among the unmissable stops there is the Uffizi Gallery, which houses marvels such as Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus and works by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. A area often less frequented by tourists is the other side of the Arno, where an absolutely essential visit is Palazzo Pitti with its Palatine Gallery and the Museum of Fashion and Costume… of course, you’ll need to pause to discover the Boboli Gardens, magical all year round.
A true gem recounted to Britons is the wine buchette, an institution in the city: there are about a hundred of them, although many are now closed and have lost their original function. The small openings carved into the façades of the oldest palaces were used to serve glasses directly on the street. The cuisine is also highlighted, with traditional dishes such as the Florentine steak, ribollita, pappa al pomodoro, lampredotto as street food, and crostini with liver pâté. Of course, a little wine cannot be missed to accompany, and the region offers Chianti (and more) of considerable quality.
And for shopping? Eyes on leather craftsmanship, a long-standing tradition that remains a symbol of the city with the production of bags, belts, wallets and handcrafted accessories that become the most desirable souvenirs. The Tuscan city deserves to be explored, in a weekend… or perhaps a few more days.
