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In a world with no consequences, I would happily live out the rest of my days eating pizza in Italy, while rolling through the streets like a round ball of dough.
Sadly, these fantasies of pure indulgence are not likely to come true anytime soon.
But I think we can all admit that we’ve dreamt of grabbing our best friends and jetting off to Italy, where dreamy accents can make even “fettucini alfredo” sound like poetry. There’s just something about this incredible country that makes it the perfect escape destination – whether it’s for the food, landscapes or beautiful men (*cough* I mean art).
In particular, there’s many reasons why Florence is ideal for a girls’ weekend, the first of which (as you might have guessed) is its abundance of beautiful humans. Besides that however, the city also boasts a pretty perfect mix of beauty, relaxation and enough food for a lifetime. I’ve been lucky enough to visit on two occasions with friends, and each time was a haze of happiness, glowing sunsets and gelato-fuelled delirium.
So besides eating your weight in spaghetti and stalking your exes on Facebook, what should be on your itinerary for a girls’ weekend in Florence? Here are just a few ideas to set your girly heart aflutter.
Slow down + chat over drinks
Let’s be real: if there are two things that girlfriends are especially good for, it’s talking for hours with a drink (or five) in hand. Certainly in Italy, where wine is cheaper than therapy (and water for that matter), there’s no better activity to kick off a girls’ weekend.
For classy chats with an elegant ambiance:
If you’re going to enjoy a proper girls’ weekend, you might as well start it off in the most sophisticated way possible: at an idyllic bar where Picasso and Cocteau adorn the walls. The Picteau Lounge Bar is an exquisite little gem tucked away in Hotel Lungarno, with elegant decor and a winning atmosphere that pairs perfectly with its classic selection of wines, cocktails, spirits and snacks.
Address: Borgo S. Jacopo, 14, 50125 Firenze, Italy
For rooftop cocktails with an unreal view:
If you feel like channelling Sex and the City with a glamorous rooftop cocktail, then the Terrazza Lounge Bar at the Hotel Continenale has you covered. Come up here for sunset and your Instagram will surely thank you.
Address: Vicolo dell’Oro, 6, 50123 Firenze, Italy
For a non-alcoholic option:
Florence is home to some phenomenal cafes, so whether you’re an espresso shot kinda gal or more partial to foamy cappuccinos, there’s an option for you to get your fix. Here’s a good list of cafes in Florence to check out.
Get pampered
There’s no country that embodies the “treat yo’self” philosophy more than Italy… so naturally, a day of spas and pampering should be on the itinerary of any girls’ weekend. A proper few hours at the spa will leave you feeling recharged and amazing, as all queens should be.
For elegant relaxation with a Florentine twist:
The Continentale’s White Iris Beauty Spa has packages so exquisite, I felt zen just reading their services menu. Guests can enjoy a wide range of different spa rituals from hot stone massages and aromatherapy wraps, all the way to mani/pedis for picture-perfect nails. And if getting doused in luxurious [ comfort zone ] products doesn’t sound relaxing enough, guests at the Hotel Continentale can even get massages in their own rooms. Yes lazy girls, you heard that right!
Address: Vicolo dell’Oro, 6, 50123 Firenze, Italy
Go shopping
Florence is one my favourite places in the world to go shopping, simply because there’s a little something for every taste. While I typically reserve my travel budget for food and activities, there’s something magical about the Florentine air that pulls apart my purse strings, whether it’s for beautiful leather books, gold-embossed wallets or a million shawls & scarves (all of which yes, I have genuinely bought). Here are some options for every type of budget and style:
For luxurious (window) shopping: Those hunting (or dreaming of) the perfect Gucci or Versace will have their dreams come true at Via de’ Tornabuoni, Florence’s most elegant street, crammed with high-end stores that will make your eyes cry from happiness, and your wallet cry from bankruptcy.
For markets and haggling fun: Bargain hunters will love San Lorenzo Market, the perfect place to pick up souvenirs like scarves, leather goods and more at a fraction of what you’d pay in-store. Be wary of the fake designer bags though, and the ever-pushy salesmen! Shopping around (and haggling) is of course encouraged.
For beautiful, unique treasures: Florence’s Oltrarno neighbourhood is known for its excellent choice of artisan shops filled with handmade goods like books, jewelry and sculptures. Besides that, I highly recommend visiting Il Papiro, a stationery shop with a few locations that sells gorgeous journals, papers and my personal favourite – wax seals (which aren’t very useful but still incredibly epic to own).
For foodie favourites: Mercato Centrale is a must-see for foodies, whether it’s to shop for some fresh produce and ingredients for a homemade meal, or to find sauces and pastas for suitcase smuggling purposes 😉
Other ideas
Get your dose of culture: Take advantage of Florence’s countless museums and soak in the incredible history of the city! A girls’ weekend would not be complete without a quick stop to say hello to The David (whose full frontal glory can be found at the Accademia Gallery).
Dig deep into the Florence food scene: Besides just eating at restaurants and cafes (which I’m sure you’ll do plenty of), try taking a food tour or cooking class for an extra special memory.
Escape to the Tuscan countryside: Put on your cutest dresses, grab a floppy sun hat and indulge in a vineyard hop where of course, tasting is encouraged.
Soooo really now, what are you waiting for? I do believe there’s a bottle of Chianti (and a man named Lorenzo) already calling your name 😉
Happy planning!
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Erg, your post makes me really want to travel… but with only 10 days of annual leave, I don’t even know what to do. 🙁 I’m also dying for a girls trip now. But on the bright side, loving all the inspiring photos!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
https://charmainenyw.com
Aw Charmaine, yeah it’s such a struggle to maximize vacation days hey? I hope my posts help you travel the world (vicariously) while you’re working hard!!
I didn’t have a chance to spend time on Florence when we were in Tuscany. Your post sure makes me want to go back and really soak it all in!
Ah Florence is soo wonderful. I hope you make it back to Tuscany one day and get to see for yourself!
These are great tips, girls weekend or not. I’ve yet to visit Florence but now you’ve got my travel taste buds stirred.
Florence is awesome for solo/couple/family travel too! I’m just a big fan of the city haha. Hope you get to see for yourself soon 🙂
I’ve been to Italy twice but still never been to Florence. Looks like I’ve been making a huge mistake! That pasta picture is making me drool uncontrollably. Some really great tips here, thanks!
Thanks for reading, Allison! I love Italy because there’s just SO many awesome places to see. hope you make it there soon!
I love how history and modernity meet in this city. It really is a city for all types to enjoy. Everything about the city is dreamy
yes! Florence is one of my favourites for that reason 🙂 thanks for reading, Mar!
Sounds like Florence is the best travel destination for BFFs! I would love to ask my best friend to come here with me. We both love Italian cuisine. I do wonder how much is the budget for shopping. Anyway, if we cannot afford a lot of shopping, we will just buy small souvenirs.
The good thing is there’s tons of different options no matter your budget level 🙂 I escaped with plenty of nice goodies even when I went as a broke student years ago. Plus you can haggle! hehe
Wow this is an amazing post and I wish the girls in this upcoming bachelorette party I’m planning would be down for international travel! Haha. I guess I will be revisiting this one day for my own bachelorette… 😉 Looks so beautiful! And I agree… pasta for days!
Florence would be such an epic place for a classy bachelorette!! I hope you get to make that dream a reality 😀
Sweet I went to Florence when I was younger. I wish I was a bit closer though and then we could do some of this stuff. I just going to be patient until a eurotrip happens
Ooh I feel ya. Living in Europe was such a dream because I was so close to everything. Now that I’m back in North America, everything feels so far 🙁 Thanks for reading though!
Ah, Florence…it has been many years since I visited but the flavor of the city is still with me. I would love to have a chance to take the kids – and a chance to go for a girls’ trip. How fun!!!
It would be a great city to visit with kids too! So many different choices depending on what kinda trip you’re going for. that’s one of the many reasons I love it so much 🙂
I stumbled on your post at just the right time . I am going to be in florence with a girl friend in a few months from now 🙂 already making my plans as per your post
Awesome! Have a great time, Neha 🙂
That rooftop view is STUNNING! I can’t wait to make it to Italy. I tried to swing it on my last trip to Europe but it just wasn’t in the budget.
Ack yeah, unfortunately Italy is super pricey (especially cuz it’s so easy to throw your food budget out the window haha). BUT I’m sure you’ll see it one day!!
Those rooftop cocktails with the stunning views are so dreamy. And the seafood looks so tasty. Cant’ wait to get back to Florence.
Yeah, I sometimes dream about that pasta lol. I can’t wait to go back either!
This looks like an awesome trip, Christina. I would definitely be most interested in the food/drinks there, although the in room massage is a close second. I usually have a pretty hard time coordinating schedules with my friends, but Florence certainly looks like the perfect spot for a girls trip if I can ever make that happen. I’m staying hopeful 🙂
Ha I feel you with the schedule thing. It’s becoming more and more impossible to get all my best friends together, but hey in a dream world, you’re right – Florence would be the most epic place for a besties’ trip. Hope that dream becomes a reality for you soon! 😀
Florence is amazing and I always wish to visit there once. This post is interesting and will definitely help me somewhat if I set foot in Italy:)
Thanks for reading, Chi!
Girls trip is sounds so fun. Specially to florence , the market looks so good to shop all around. Everything about this city is dreamy , the perfect mix of old and modernity.
Yes the markets are so much fun! especially if you like haggling 😉 thanks for reading!
As much as we advocate solo female travel, girls trip sounds like a lot of fun! Florence sounds like a great destination too! Wish we could go there someday!
Florence would be amazing for a solo trip too!! Hope you get to see it soon 🙂
I have been to Florence but hadn’t really thought about it as a place for a girls getaway. It completely makes sense! Between the wine, shopping, food, and spas, the city has everything you would want in a getaway.
Oh totally! I’ve been there twice with friends and loved it. Thanks for reading, Christina!
I somehow, never equated Florence to a girl’s trip but after reading this – have changed my mind. Glad I stumbled on this. Maybe I will plan an all girls trip here – treat them to shopping and then do my bit by dragging them to the Duomo. 😀
Thanks for reading, Ami!! Florence is an awesome place to visit with anyone really, but a friends’ getaway is one of my favourite ways to take it all in 🙂 Hope you get to visit soon!