What's new on Florence-On-Line:

Piazza dell'Unità Italiana

In Piazzas of Florence:
Florence's Overlooked Historical Square Florence is renowned for its iconic piazzas like Piazza della Signoria and Piazza del Duomo, but there is a square with profound historical significance hiding in plain sight: Piazza dell'Unità Italiana. This busy yet often overlooked piazza commemorates one of the most important chapters in Italian history -- the unification of Italy. Historical Significa... read more.

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Florence Bus Tips

In Florence Travel Tips, In Buses:
I just stumbled across what at first appeared to be a very useful web page called "Destination Tuscany" from AUTOLINEE TOSCANE S.p.A. Unfortunately, most of the links on the page are broken or link to out of date information. Below are some tips with links to the actual information and other pertinent edits: Arrivals & Departures To reach Florence from Peretola Airport, use T2 tram line - all... read more.

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Tracey Emin: Sex and Solitude

In Allora (our blog):
Palazzo Strozzi presents Tracey Emin: Sex and Solitude, the first major institutional exhibition in Italy dedicated to one of today's most celebrated contemporary artists. Curated by Arturo Galansino, Director General of the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, the exhibition allows one to immerse into Emin's varied work, encompassing paintings, drawings, film, photography, embroidery, appliqué, sculpture... read more.

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Piazza Signoria Hotels & Apartments

In Florence Travel Tips, In Hotels & Apartments:
Here is a short list of recommendations for hotels and rental apartments on or very near to Piazza della Signoria. The closer to the piazza, the likelihood that prices will increase. While in the heart of Florence, unless there are special events (like the New Year's Eve celebrations) this piazza is actually much more quiet at night than those of Santa Croce or Santo Spirito - being in the comm... read more.

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Piazza Signoria Webcam

In Florence Webcams:
I am not 100% sure (actually I am pretty sure) but I think this is just a recording of a webcam - the view is not live, but it's still pretty interesting! In the view, from left to right, you have: the bell towers of the Badia Fiorentina and the Bargello, beneath them the façade of Palazzo Uggucioni, the equestrian statue of Cosimo I, the Gucci Museum, the fountain of Neptune, and the Palazzo Vec... read more.

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Florence Airport

In Florence Travel Tips, In Airports:
The official name of the airport in Florence, Italy is Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola, also known as Florence Airport, or Peretola . Its IATA code is FLR. It's also commonly called Amerigo Vespucci Airport (Aeroporto Amerigo Vespucci), named after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci, who was born in Florence (and is buried in Chiesa di Ognissanti). The airport is about 5 kilome... read more.

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Floating Above the Tuscan Countryside: A Hot Air Balloon Adventure

In Allora (our blog):
There's something magical about watching the Tuscan landscape unfold beneath you as you drift silently through the dawn sky. Hot air ballooning in Tuscany offers a perspective of Italy's most celebrated countryside that few experiences can match. As the first rays of sunlight pierce the morning mist, you'll find yourself suspended above a patchwork of vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villag... read more.

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Firenze Flower Show

In Events in Florence:
The Firenze Flower Show is a biannual market exhibition showcasing rare and unusual plants, set to take place April 5th and 6th, and again on September 27th and 28th, 2025, at the beautiful Giardino Corsini in Florence. This event features top exhibitors from across Italy, offering two days filled with fun and learning about high-quality horticulture and gardening. Attendees can also enjoy free si... read more.

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Small Antiques Market, Fiesole

In Events in Florence:
There is a small antiques market in Fiesole on the first Sunday of the month, except July and August. At Piazza Mino da Fiesole. Mercato del Piccolo Antiquariato a Fiesole. UPDATE! We have just received confirmation that there is a small antique market in Fiesole! This is from the Comune of Fiesole: "The small antiques market is held in Piazza Mino in Fiesole every first Sunday of the month. E... read more.

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Santa Felicita

In Churches of Florence:
A Hidden Gem of History and Art Nestled in the Oltrarno district of Florence, just a stone's throw away from the Ponte Vecchio, the Church of Santa Felicita stands as one of the city's most historically and artistically significant churches. Despite its somewhat modest exterior, this church is home to remarkable artworks and has a rich history dating back to early Christianity in Florence. Even t... read more.

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Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa

In Florentine Art:
Benvenuto Cellini's Perseus with the Head of Medusa is one of the greatest masterpieces of Mannerist sculpture. Commissioned by Cosimo I de' Medici and completed in 1554, this bronze work stands in the Loggia dei Lanzi in Florence's Piazza della Signoria, where it has remained for nearly 500 years! It was his last public commission and reportedly took nearly ten years to complete. The sculpture ex... read more.

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Where To See Renaissance Sculpture In Florence

In Florentine Art:
You probably know that Florence is the city in which the Renaissance was born. You may not be totally familiar with the concept that the style we call "Renaissance" first became apparent in sculpture, rather than in painting and architecture, which followed soon after. Below we detail some of the museums, outdoor spaces, and individual sculptures that are not to be missed. Renaissance Sculpture ... read more.

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Church of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi

In Churches of Florence:
The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi is a remarkable yet often overlooked gem located on Borgo Pinti in central Florence, Italy. Named after Saint Mary Magdalene de' Pazzi (born Caterina, 1566-1607), a Carmelite nun canonized for her mystical experiences (and perhaps suffering from anorexia, bulimia, and mental disorders), including receiving the stigmata, and her profound devotion to God... read more.

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Florence Christmas Lights

In Allora (our blog):
One of the most memorable times of the year in Florence is Christmas (Natale in Italian). The city always has a different set of displays every year, especially on via Calzaiuoli, but the one constant is an amazing array of Christmas lights throughout her streets. Below are some of my favorite Christmas light photos from Florence. Looking down via dei Servi towards the Duomo at dusk Florence's C... read more.

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Osteria L'Antico Noè

In Food & Drink, In Santa Croce:
L'Antico Noè is two places in one: a sandwich (panino) shop famous for overflowing tuscan panini and a sit-down osteria offering seasonal and regional specialties. The sandwich shop has always been popular with the student community and local shopkeepers because it's a great place for a quick, cheap, and delicious lunch. Order a sandwich from their menu, or create your own combination, and follow... read more.

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La Rassegna dell'Olio di Reggello

In Events in Florence:
This annual event of the first pressing of Olive Oil from the town of Reggello is a great opportunity to get the full flavor of the spicy, green and gold Tuscan olive oil (our favorite!), and of course it is all for sale! For many years this event was held in Piazza Santa Croce - but the festival now takes place in the town of Reggello (about a 45 minute drive for the center of Florence). If you h... read more.

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Trattoria I'Brindellone

In Food & Drink, In Oltrarno/Santo Spirito:
If you find yourself near Santa Maria del Carmine around lunch time you should try I'Brindellone (the "brindellone" is the cart of St. John which is used in an elaborate fire works display during Easter mass). While it may not look like much from the outside, I'Brindellone is a real authentic Florentine trattoria and we have had excellent and reasonable lunches there over the years - and dinners!... read more.

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Trattoria Il Giova

In Food & Drink, In Santa Croce:
Update for Trattoria Il Giova: We had the pleasure of dining at Il Giova again this year for the first time in a long time and it did not disappoint! I found out that the ownership changed right around the time we left Florence (over 10 years ago!), but another family took over the business and it is running it in the same friendly way. We enjoyed our meal and conversation with the new owners an... read more.

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Helen Frankenthaler: Painting without Rules

In Allora (our blog):
Palazzo Strozzi presents the most extensive retrospective ever held in Italy dedicated to one of the most revolutionary artists of the twentieth century, Helen Frankenthaler. The exhibition provides an in-depth overview of Frankenthaler's work, placing her art in dialogue with her famous Color Field and Abstract Expressionist contemporaries: Jackson Pollock, Robert Motherwell, Mark Rothko, Morris ... read more.

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I fochi di San Giovanni

In Events in Florence:
"I Fochi di San Giovanni" (The Fires of Saint John) is a traditional celebration held in Florence, Italy, in honor of the city's patron saint, Saint John the Baptist. This event takes place annually on the evening of June 24th and is one of Florence's most important and festive public holidays. Historical Background Saint John the Baptist: Saint John the Baptist is one of the patron saints of Flo... read more.

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