FLORENCE WITH CHLOE HILL

NAME: Chloe Hill

WHAT YOU DO: Stylist slash occasional photo taker!

STAR SIGN: Virgo

SOCIALS: @chloechill

LIVING: Sydney for at least another month or two!

LOCATION: Florence

SLEEP

I’ve only ever taken day trips from Milan so my recommendations involve booking an early train that arrives before 10.30am in Florence, spending the day exploring and jumping on a 9pm train out.

Florence is so wonderful to walk around you can explore the entire central area in a day, unless you want to see all the museums and galleries, in which case you’d better stay a night or two.

Make sure you wear great walking shoes and if you’re planning on shopping bring a wee suitcase you can leave in a locker at the station and grab in the afternoon to stash your finds.

EAT

As soon as you plan a trip to Florence the most important thing to do is book a table at Gucci Gucci Osteria da Massimo Bottura!

Massimo is the OG Italian chef/restaurateur and the restaurant he opened in the Gucci Garden is the best dining experience I’ve had in my life. If like me you have dietary requirements make sure you let them know when you book so they can plan a degustation that works for you.

To break up an afternoon exploring pop to institution Caffè Gilli for a drink and sandwich.

DO

First of all a disclaimer, Gucci Garden is not an actual garden! It’s a museum dedicated to the brand which is located in the Florentine Palazzo.

Gucci Garden also stocks one off designs that you can’t find anywhere else in the world!

Book a tour so you can really immerse yourself in the history of the brand. The archival pieces date back to when Gucci first launched in Florence and the museum includes full rooms painted by artists like Jayde Fish and Coco Capitán.

If you walk over Ponte Vecchio you’ll find Pitti Palace which houses an amazing art collection. And there are loads more historical buildings, galleries and museums all over town so do your research so you can narrow down the ones you definitely want to explore.

SHOP

My first stop when I get off the train is the oldest pharmacy in the world, Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy. Famous for their perfumes and beauty products, among other things, the store is worth visiting for the building alone.

I make a beeline for the room outback which is filled with pills, potions and natural remedies which date back hundreds of years!

Ponte Vecchio (aka the gold bridge) is apparently where Kanye gets all his gold! It dates back to Roman times and is filled to the brim with…gold of course. Chains in all sizes can be resized to a custom length on the spot.

There are cute stationary shops all over town so if you see one pop in a and stock up on cute notepaper and gift cards. Most stores design and print their own so it’s such a special souvenir to take away.

For fancy home wares, visit the wonderland that is Richard Ginori Porcelain and for something fun, pop into Mario Luca Giusti for their coloured cups and vases.

Just around the corner is Vintage Epoca Firenze for beautiful vintage fashion.

PACK

Wear at comfortable and stylish outfit, because you know you’re gonna want to get some Instagram content here!

The roads are predominately cobble stoned so wear flats you can walk all day in and bring a secure bag so you don’t get pick pocketed in the touristy areas like Ponte Vecchio.