Birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence (Firenze to the locals) dazzles with historic art and architecture melded with modern Italian charm. You will love Florence as your next Time & Place luxury vacation destination. The Tuscan capital bursts with treasures of the past (Michelangelo, anyone?) but offers so much more than museums. Climb to the top of the Duomo’s bell tower for majestic views or contemplate the Medicis while strolling through Giardino di Boboli, the city’s grandest garden.
If fashion is your interest, ask your Time & Place Concierge for high-couture shops to rival those in Milan. Stroll along Via Tornabuoni for the latest from the best luxury European designers, and then hop along the Ponte Vecchio to admire the gorgeous jewelry.
While Florence is a feast for the eyes, other appetites are assuaged at some of Italy’s most indulgent restaurants. For simpler fare, don’t miss Mercato Centrale. This expansive covered market has an enormous selection of olive oils and other local delicacies. Or satisfy your sweet tooth at one of the city’s many gelaterias.
The unparalleled experience that awaits you is one of luxury and history, combined to create an environment rife with modern comforts and awash in Italy’s romantic history.
No matter what interests you choose to pursue, this alluring city will always exceed your expectations. There is beauty everywhere you look in Florence, making it a perfect destination for your next vacation with Time & Place. Call our talented reservations team today and start planning your next escape.
$1,085 - $3,806/night
$163 - $357/night
$263 - $387/night
$799 - $3,806/night
$217 - $310/night
Time & Place concierge services love creating unforgettable travel experiences for each one of our guests. Here’s what we can do for you:
Nothing should get in the way of your perfect experience. Check these helpful tips for ensuring a smooth journey.
VIEW LISTUnited States citizens need a passport to visit Italy and to re-enter the United States. We recommend that you keep a photocopy of the photo page of your passport in a separate place in case of an emergency.
Visas and other entry requirements, such as vaccinations, vary for individual countries. We recommend that you check the up-to-date travel rules prior to travel here.
When traveling with your child, but without the child’s co-parent, we recommend preparing a notarized letter from the non-present parent authorizing the child’s travel. Without this authorization, the child may be held at security and unable to travel. This letter is highly recommended for any international destination (airlines include Hawaii in this case), and suggested for travel within the continental United States.
In practical terms, the climate in Florence is very mild with little difference between the provinces. However, the coast and valleys are hotter in summer than the hilly areas. Usually summers in Florence are hot with little or no rain. Spring (April and May) and autumn (October and November) are milder and rainier, but there are still plenty of dry, sunny days. Winter can still have some sunny days but is usually wetter and colder, especially at night. July and August are the hottest months. January is the coldest month.
Spring can be one of the most rewarding times to visit, average temperatures are warm and comfortable. It can however, be one of the wettest seasons, but normally by May, rain is rare and the days are longer with up to 10 hours of daylight.
Summer is usually hot and sunny with pleasant warm evenings for al fresco dining. Humidity levels can get high, especially in the cities.
Autumn, like spring can be a good time to visit, with warm average temperatures into October and sometimes later.
Winter rarely gets really severe weather, a day or two of snow with wetter weather and lower temperatures is the norm. However, it’s usually mixed with crisp bright days and clear, blue skies.
It’s quite warm all over Italy in summer and it can be very hot in Florence; particularly in August. The high temperatures can begin in early June and last until late September. Winters can be cold, with rain and very little snow, with lows averaging in the 40’s.
Annual Average High: 72; Annual Average Low: 40
The Euro is the official currency of Italy however you may still run into prices quoted in both Euros and lire. A bank is the best place to exchange currency or traveler’s checks. You will receive a better rate for traveler’s checks than cash and these may be exchanged at the airport and some travel agencies such as American Express. A currency exchange website can be found at www.markets.ft.com. ATMs are the most convenient way to change money, simply because you needn’t trade cash for cash. Rates are almost always lower at ATMs than anywhere else.
Florence is in the Central European Time Zone, which is one hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. Noon in Italy is 6:00 a.m. in New York. Florence practices Daylight Saving Time, which begins in May (one hour forward) and goes until late September or October (one hour back).
Electricity in Italy is 220 volts, 50 cycles alternating current (AC). For comparison, in the United States it is 110 volts, 60 cycle AC current.
If you plan on using your own 110-volt appliances, you will need a voltage converter, unless your appliance is designed to also work with 220 volt electricity (dual voltage).
In Italy, jobs with tip-based wages do not exist. Waiters, bartenders and others earn full salaries so tips are not required to complete their wage, but they are always appreciated. Most Italians do not tip at all, because it is a different system and they are not accustomed to it. To complement good service, for instance, at a restaurant you can tip 5 to 10 percent. Be aware ahead of time that tips cannot be added to a credit card total, so they must be left in cash, meaning Euro, not dollars.
If you are traveling with prescription medicines, carry them in their original containers and bring a copy of your prescription. If you buy medications abroad, be aware that they may not be FDA-approved or allowed into the United States. For more information on customs rules and regulations, please contact 202.354.1000 or visit www.cbp.gov.