by Camryn Samuel
Spring is fast approaching, and it’s bringing the rain with it. With more rainy days, there is less time to experience Florence in its beautiful outdoors. But that doesn’t mean there’s a shortage of activities to discover the city. From guided museum visits to fashion tours, Accord Italy Smart Tours and Experiences offers a variety of excursions through Florence, allowing you to avoid wasting a day in the city.
Museum Visits
As the Birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is home to extraordinary museums perfect for escaping the rain. For a quick morning art visit, the Accademia Gallery offers a detailed journey through the Renaissance period that can be completed in an hour or two. With a variety of pieces, including a room of sculptures and a floor of medieval paintings, the triumph of this museum is Michelangelo’s David. This masterpiece is one of the most famous works of art, making this gallery an ideal spot to discover Florence’s art legacy while staying dry.
For a day's worth of culture, the Uffizi Gallery houses over 100 exhibition rooms and holds art spanning centuries. It holds a vast and invaluable collection of ancient art that establishes it as Italy’s most visited museum. It is renowned for its Renaissance masterpieces, including Caravaggio’s Medusa, Leonardo da Vinci’s Annunciation, and Sandro Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Primavera (Spring). This gallery’s history and art gifts visitors a day inside without missing any of the beauty Florence has to offer.
Cooking Classes
The perfect way to end a cozy rainy day is with a homemade meal, and the cooking classes in Florence teach the traditions of perfecting the classic Italian dinner. With expert chefs, discover the techniques of crafting pasta, pizza, or gelato passed down and perfected over generations. This experience will gift the best souvenir Florence has to offer - an Italian dinner recipe to feed friends and family back home.
Wine Tastings
With Tuscany’s rich history of wine, Florence is the ideal destination to discover local wine. The city is home to many expert sommeliers who teach the fundamentals of drinking wine. Try Chianti for an authentic Tuscany wine. Named after the town near Florence where it is produced, this red wine demonstrates the artistry that goes into each bottle. The city prides itself on its wine industry and culture, so this activity will demonstrate Florence’s authenticity while adding to the cozy vibes from the weather.
Leather Workshops
The streets of Florence are lined with leather shops and local vendors, but when it's raining, it’s difficult to shop. Instead, take advantage of the bleak weather and attend a leather workshop with one of Florence’s craftsmen. These lessons teach participants the basics of creating, repairing, and customizing leather products. With Florence’s reputation and commitment to high-quality leather, these workshops provide an in-depth look into the artistic process behind many Italian goods.
Lunch at Mercato Centrale
The Mercato Centrale, or Central Market, is a meeting point for food and wine vendors. It offers the finest meats, fresh baked goods, ripe produce, and local and international products. Florence’s history mentions many markets that have built the city into the commercial trade center it is today, so this retail space not only offers the best lunches, but also an immersive culture as well. It is easy to get lost in the market’s scents and tastes, making it the perfect spot for a meal indoors.
Fashion Tour
Florence is a one-of-a-kind shopping center, with everything from small boutiques to designer brands. Instead of online shopping indoors, venture into Florence’s elegance with a fashion tour to the city’s stylish spots. Visit Officina Profumeria-Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella, Florence’s ancient perfumery. Continue to the Salvatore Ferragamo Museums and the Gucci Museum for the history behind these iconic brands.
For more shopping, join a tour to Florence’s outlet mall, where you can discover stores from designer brands such as Prada and Armani at discounted prices. Discover Italian style and elegance while building your closet and escaping the rain.
