Mother-Daughter trips are fantastic. You get special time with your girls and let them lead the way. It’s always cool to see what tops their travel lists. Florence, Italy was indeed one of them. And Florence proved to be one of the best locations for a Mother-Daughter Trip!
Florence offers the perfect mix of sheer beauty, art, architecture, delicious food, and good shopping! My daughters had a quick visit to Florence when younger on a past family trip. However, now in their early 20s, and as college grads, they wanted to see the city through different lenses. They were eager to experience and learn more about this fascinating city. Despite the summer crowds in late June, we made our way to Florence to soak up the city.
Florence is in the Tuscany Region
Florence is the capital city of the stunning Tuscany region. Full of history, the city was named an UNESCO World Heritage site due to its cultural heritage, art and architecture. In 2010, Forbes named it one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It’s no wonder that Florence attracts millions of visitors worldwide. You can spend your entire time in Florence or use it as a base to explore the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Visit wineries, bike ride in the hills, drive to nearby towns or simply enjoy quality time experiencing Florence.
We spent our time inside Florence to get the most out of this lovely city. There is so much to do, it’s hard to know where to start!
Mother-Daughter Trip: Lodging in Florence
Since we were traveling together for a week, we wanted an authentic experience and chose to mix it up during our stay. We stayed in different areas of the city to get to more of a local feel of this iconic city.
Our trip started off at the boutique hotel Riva Lofts on the quieter left bank of the Arno River. Knowing we would be jetlagged and in need of some respite, we opted for more serenity at the outset. Riva Lofts was a breath of fresh air, set in an factory/workshop that was recently transformed into a chic, urban style loft retreat. Combining a mix of old and new, each room is unique and guests share the dining room, outdoor pool and beautiful patio. I love boutique hotels for their personalized service and Riva Lofts did not disappoint. Their friendly front desk helped with taxis, restaurant reservations, complimentary vintage bikes and any other requests. The local tramway (above ground subway) was nearby for quick access to the major sites. Their lovely breakfast was enjoyed inside their dining room or by the pool for a relaxing start to our busy days. The tucked away location was a welcome break from all the action.
After a few nights, we moved to an Airbnb near the Duomo to be closer to the sites. Renting an apartment made us truly feel like a local, even though we opted to eat out each night. You can rent one from Airbnb, VRBO or other apartment rental company. We each had our own room for privacy, a kitchen, and a balcony. We saw the Duomo from our windows and enjoyed apertivos overlooking the rooftops of Florence. Authentic period furnishings in the apartment added to the historic feel of this city!
Best Mother-Daughter Activities in Florence
There is so much to do in Florence, making it the best location for a Mother-Daughter trip!
- Palaces, Churches and Cathedrals: Numerous palaces, churches and cathedrals are at your fingertips, such as the famous Duomo and Pitti Palace. Be sure to be respectful and wear modest clothing when entering places of worship.
- Art Galleries/Museums: Art enthusiasts will be in heaven with the number of art galleries and museums with works from great artists such as Da Vinci, Botticelli and Michelangelo. Local artists have galleries and studios throughout Florence as well. My daughters are both art history buffs, so they were eager to see works they had studied up close. I loved seeing their eyes twinkle in awe and hearing them share details about artists they admire.
- Shopping: Shops filled with handmade Florentine items, designer fashion boutiques, beautiful jewelry on Ponte Vecchio, leather goods in the bazaar and food products abound! Stroll along the small side streets to discover some hidden gems! You can buy anything from high quality leather jackets, leather handbags, leather shoes, chic clothes, gold jewelry, Italian food products, Florentine paper — you name it and you can get it in Florence! We had fun discovering local boutiques, where handmade goods are everywhere. We also took a day trip to The Mall, designer outlets located 45 minutes outside of Florence. There was no shortage of shopping!
What to Eat in Florence
As the capital of the Tuscan region, food is a major highlight in Florence! From morning cornettos with espresso to handmade pastas to grilled bisteccas (Florentine steak) to scrumptious gelato, you cannot get enough of the delicious food in Florence! We enjoyed sampling so many Florentine specialties, visiting the Mercato Centrale (Central Market) and taking a local cooking class at Mama Florence together where we ate our scrumptious creations over a multi-course meal! I know your mouth is watering already!
Florence For Your Next Mother-Daughter Trip
Without a doubt, I highly recommend Florence for your next Mother-Daughter trip! There is so much to do and so much to discover in this beautiful city. As young adults, our daughters enjoy many of the same activities we do. Let them lead the way and you will discover cities in a whole new light. You will share meaningful experiences with your kids and create special memories that will last a lifetime.
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