On a recent work trip to Italy, we decided to sneak in just a few extra days to explore on our own. Yes, we could have steeped ourselves in Italian history with tours of museums, churches, and architectural wonders. But we wanted to treat ourselves and explore the more “indulgent” side of the country and spent three days focused on wine, food, and fashion. Here’s our insider's guide to spending four magical days experiencing the essence of style and culture of our two favorite cities: Florence & Rome.
2 days in Florence
Florence may be one of Italy’s smaller major cities, but it packs an oversized punch when it comes to fashion and food. As the birthplace of the Renaissance and home to legendary fashion houses like Ferragamo, Pucci, and Gucci, Florence masterfully blends old-world elegance with modern Italian flair.
STAY
The Ferragamo family has turned hospitality into an art form with their lovingly designed collection of hotels that, combined, act as something of a “city resort” just a few steps from Ponte Vecchio. We toured four of their exceptional properties: Hotel Lungarno, Gallery Art Hotel, Hotel Continental, and Portrait. Each hotel has a distinct personality, but all feature the family's impeccable taste and one-of-a-kind Ferragamo suite experiences, all perched along the picturesque Arno River. The Continental is a bit pricier than the Gallery, but it’s great for honeymooners and couples. The Portrait hotel (there are also Portrait hotels in Rome and Milan) is made up of spacious studios and family rooms so it’s more like a “home away from home.” Lungarno, the most traditional Italian hotel of them all, is designed to feel like a ship in honor of Salvatore Ferragamo’s love of the sea. It caters to families and a slightly older clientele. All hotels are extremely welcoming to Americans.
Another place we love is the Hotel Savoy, which is a collaboration with the fashion house of Pucci. It is the quintessential luxury hotel for those who want to be in the very center of everything, desire white glove pampering, and love immersing themselves in Italian grandeur.
SHOP
On every street and piazza, you'll find shops selling gorgeous handcrafted Italian leather goods from bags to shoes to accessories. Make sure to scout out smaller ateliers creating their own original pieces for local flavor mixed with big designer houses.
We can hire you a guide to tour Ferragamo's flagship boutique and museum showcasing their iconic shoes, and even their historic artisanal workshops on the outskirts of town. And if you want to go all out, we’ll book a Renaissance photo shoot where you can play an Italian aristocrat for a day in period costume.
EAT
The food in Florence deserves its own blog. Quintessential dishes like fresh pasta, ribollita soup, and thick rib steak bistecca alla fiorentina are must-tries. Ristorante Il Guscio turns homestyle Tuscan and Italian classics into gourmet delights, and their wine list is remarkable, with an ample selection of boutique, terroir-centered producers.
2 days in Rome
After the cultural immersion of Florence, head to Rome for a couple of days of pure relaxation, indulgence, and “shopping therapy.” In fact, we highly recommend letting us hire you a personal shopper to lead you on a behind-the-scenes tour of the city's best high-end boutiques.
STAY
Rome is a huge, bustling, and exciting city, and so we love booking our travelers into a serene hotel like The Six Senses. This luxury resort is a true oasis, with lush gardens, pools, and an ancient ritual bathing circuit underground. It’s got the best of both worlds—a grand old Palazzo with all the modern comforts you could wish for. Be sure to save a bit of time for a spa treatment or two. Their signature massages and beauty services are world
SHOP
What sets an exceptional personal shopper apart is their ability to curate truly unique, insider experiences you'd never find on your own. The personal shopper we recommend will whisk you away to hidden gem boutiques, private ateliers, and the chicest showrooms. One memorable stop we made was at a tiny jewelry workshop owned by a talented local artisan. We had the entire space to ourselves as he showed us his colorful, handcrafted resin jewels. A truly intimate and special experience. The personal shopper also introduced us to some of Italy’s best small boutiques, like the hip Altro & Sud and jewelry designer Massimiliano Arriga.
EAT & DRINK
While fine dining is plentiful in Rome, some of your most memorable meals will likely be at classic family-owned trattorias tucked away on quiet side streets. You can indulge in dishes like carbonara, amatriciana, and supplì (fried rice balls) along with plenty of crisp white Italian wines. Your hosts will let you linger for hours, offering a delicious reminder to savor every moment. One standout is the acclaimed Tuillio, an understated Roman gem known for their impeccable seasonal ingredients. For the modern take on classic Roman pizza, don’t miss Emma. Their pizzas are chef’s kiss, and the deep fried zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella are a must.. For a special wine tasting, head to Roscioli, one of the city's best enoticas and wine bars.
Inspired to hop on a plane for a bit of la dolce vida? Get in touch.