FLORENCE - Elite Traveler

DESTINATION GUIDE SERIES 

FLORENCE 

1

elite guide to florence 

HigHligHtS oF FlorenCe 3 

only elite 4 

Elite Traveler has selected two of the most exclusive VIP experiences for visitors to Florence 

ConCierge reCommenDationS 5 

Florence’s top concierges share their personal recommendations for a perfect day in the city 

WHere to 

WHat to Do 

neeD to knoW 

T R A V E L E R 

destination guide series 

➤ Stay 7 

➤ Dine 13 

➤ be PamPereD 17 

➤ During tHe Day 20 

➤ During tHe nigHt 23 

➤ FeatureD eventS 25 

➤ SHoPPing 26 

➤ Private Jet terminalS 31 

➤ exCluSive tranSPort 31 

➤ uSeFul inFormation 33 

elite destination guide | florence 

www.elitetraveler.com 

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onboarD an exCluSive CHarter oF tHe 

veniCe SimPlon-orient-exPreSS 

PaPaveri Dining room, Hotel Savoy Firenze 

muSeo galileo 

Club lounge, Palazzo tornabuoni

highlights of florence 

Considered the birthplace of the 

Renaissance, Florence is bursting at the 

seams with breathtaking architecture and 

sublime works of art. Indeed, the city was 

a key destination in the aristocratic Grand 

Tours of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, 

when young European nobles would buy 

paintings, antiques and bronze replicas of 

Florentine sculptures to take home with 

them. Today, a stroll through Florence’s 

SCUOLA DEL CUOIO 

For one-of-a-kind, exceptionally crafted leather accessories visit the Scuola del 

Cuoio, or School of Leather, located in Santa Croce monastery. Founded by the 

Gori and Casini families alongside Franciscan monks, the school once offered 

apprenticeships to Warld War I orphans. Adorned with frescoes by Domenico 

Ghirlandaio, the Scuola del Cuoio has the atmosphere of a Renaissance 

workshop and customers can watch the artisans at their craft. Logos are 

never engraved on the leather so that each item is valued solely on the quality 

of its craftsmanship. Accessories are handmade using calfskin, deer, ostrich, 

alligator and python. Francesca Gori, daughter of the school’s founder, has a 

permanent collection of hand-cut and stitched, individually decorated, jeweled 

handbags. Audrey Hepburn, Steven Spielberg and President Eisenhower owned 

Scuola del Cuoio leather articles. Book private lessons with a Scuola del Cuoio 

Master Craftsman and learn how to make your own accessory – from a leather 

journal cover to a pouch-style handbag or monogrammed belt. 

LEATHER HANDbAgS FROm THE SCUOLA 

DEL CUOIO 

ENOTECA PINCHIORRI 

Head chef Annie Féolde and Sommelier Georgio Pinchiorri began their 

collaboration in 1972 at the esteemed National Wine Cellar, where Féolde crafted 

light dishes to complement Pinchiorri’s coveted wine collection. Féolde’s cuisine 

became increasingly complex and by 1993 the pair were running a three-Michelinstar 

restaurant with a renowned wine cellar. Pinchiorri keeps 120,000 bottles 

of the finest wine in the restaurant’s basement. Enoteca Pinchiorri emanates 

character and charm with mosaics, parquet floors, a pink marble chimney and 

antique furniture, but it is the restaurant’s cuisine rather than its décor that is 

the true show stopper. Born in Nice, Annie Féolde successfully applies French 

techniques to Tuscan gastronomy. Dishes focus on one ingredient prepared by 

a number of methods. One popular dish on a single plate is crawfish filled with 

courgettes and thyme, fried in batter and stewed with onions and bacon. 



medieval streets reveals new treasures 

at every turn. Florence’s five-star hotels 

occupy stunning Renaissance palaces with 

centuries-old frescoes. Once located on 

the Piazza della Signoria, Michelangelo’s 

celebrated Statue of David now resides in 

the Accademia Gallery. Guided tours of both 

the Accademia and world-famous Uffizi 

galleries are highly recommended. 

Florence enjoys a strong artisanal culture, 

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from the goldsmiths lining the famous Ponte 

Vecchio bridge to leather workshops tucked 

away down narrow side streets. The eminent 

Sante Croce School of Leather produces highend 

one-of-a-kind leather accessories, while 

award-winning perfumer Lorenzo Villoresi 

crafts exclusive and bespoke fragrances for 

his clients. Florence’s top restaurants select 

artisan farmed fresh Tuscan produce for their 

gastronomic creations. 

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE, SPA 

Treatment and facilities: This outstanding spa is located within Giardino della 

Gherardesca, the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze’s 11-acre private garden. The spa 

uses a bespoke range of natural products formulated by one of the world’s oldest 

pharmacies, the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella. 

Pierre-Yves Rochon is responsible for the chic cream and black interior of 

the spa lounge, which is adorned with carefully chosen classical art. The nine 

treatment rooms in the main building boast stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, 

contemporary mosaics and polished oak floors. The true pièce de resistance is 

the opulent VIP Couple’s Suite. Located in a separate building, the Couple’s Suite 

has corniced ceilings and a freestanding bath, with a fireplace in the lounge area. 

To ensure absolute discretion, the extensive windows look directly out over the 

suite’s own private garden area. 

Signature treatment: The Sense of Well-Being. Available exclusively in the VIP 

Couple’s Suite, your body is coaxed into a state of total relaxation during this 

luxurious three-hour session. The treatment consists of an eight-step ritual 

including a foot soak, rose water toning treatment, Tuscan exfoliating scrub and 

a pureness facial. 

ENOTECA PINCHIORRI, kITCHEN 

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE, SPA

Only elite 

Elite Traveler has selected two of the most exclusive VIP experiences for visitors to Florence 

PIANO BAR, VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS 

EXCLUSIVE CHARTER OF THE VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS 

VIP contact: Sharon Collett 

Phone: +44 20 7921 4077 

Email: sharon.collett@orient-express.com 

Website: www.orient-express.com 

For a truly exclusive private event oozing 1920s glamour, charter the 

renowned Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to a destination of your 

choice for up to 188 guests. Choose from an overnight journey, day trip 

or gala dinner. Elite Traveler recommends the spectacular La Dolce 

Vita charter, an overnight journey from Florence to London. Guests will 

gather the night before at the Orient-Express Villa San Michele Hotel, 

reserved exclusively for the party. After an exquisite lunch at the hotel 

PLATINUM ADVENTURE 

VIP contact: Alessandro Cecchi 

Phone: + 39 333 942 8655 

Email: alessandro@platinumadventure.it 

Address: Largo Usilia, 12, 53036, Poggibonsi, Siena 

Website: www.platinumadventure.it 

For a private party complete with adrenalin kick, book an exclusive on-track experience 

in Ferrari 360 Challenge sports cars with personal racing settings. Your day begins with a 

theory driving lesson on correct driving position, trajectory and traction. Armed with driving 

gloves and state-of-the-art helmets with in-helmet speakers and microphone, participants 

will be guided to the Ferraris by the track’s hostesses. Initially participants will observe 

from the passenger seat while a professional driver steers the first few laps. After the 

training, you have the chance to get behind the wheel yourself and take an exhilarating spin 

around the track. At the end of the day personalized certificates and a DVD will be given as 

a life-long memento of this breathtaking experience. 



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CUISINE, VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS 

guests will be transported to the station. A string quartet will set the 

mood on the platform as guests board the opulent train. There are 

three individually designed restaurant cars and 24-hour cabin service. 

À la carte cuisine is prepared on board the train by professional French 

chefs. As host, you can decide on the menu, and arrange the seating 

plans and compartment assignments. Guests may be entertained by 

a professional pianist in the bar car while sipping on classically mixed 

cocktails. And as a special souvenir, each guest will be given two 

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express champagne glasses. 

To arrange an exclusive charter of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express 

contact Sharon Collett. For all other Orient Express reservations, 

contact: oereservations.uk@orient-express.com 

PLATINUM ADVENTURE ON-TRACk EXPERIENCE

CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS 

Florence’s top concierges share their personal recommendations for a perfect day in the city 

PAUL LYDKA 

CHiEF CoNCiERgE, FoUR SEASoNS HoTEL FiRENZE 

Phone: +39 055 262 61 

Phone: +39 055 262 61 

Email: paul.lydka@fourseasons.com 

Website: www.fourseasons.com/florence 

Wander down the alleyways of Florence to discover 

unique artisan stores and admire Renaissance 

buildings, galleries and remarkable churches. 

Try your hand at making high-quality leather 

items at the Leather School of Sante Croce, which 

runs afternoon and week-long courses. Guided 

tours of the Galleria dell’ Accademia, the home of 

Michelangelo’s David, and the Uffizi Gallery are 

a must. For stunning views across Florence visit 

Fiesole, a hillside village five miles north of the city 

where there is a well-known horse riding school. 

Take a tour through the delightful Chianti region 

and visit the olive groves, vineyards, castles and 

scenic towns. After a long day, soothe body and 

mind at the Four Seasons Spa. 

BEST RESTAURANTS 

Enoteca Pinchiorri 

Cuisine: French/Italian Fusion 

Phone: +39 055 242 757/777 

Address: Via Ghibellina 87, 50122 

Website: www.enotecapinchiorri.com 

ANgELA BERTi 

HEAD CoNCiERgE, JK PLACE 

Phone: +39 055 264 5181 

Email: info@jkplace.com 

Website: www.jkplace.com 

Enjoy a professionally guided three-hour walking 

tour around Florence’s impressive city center, 

where elegant palaces, fashionable shops and 

charming narrow medieval streets grace every 

turn. Alternatively, JK Place will organize an 

exclusive cooking experience – with a professional 

chef – for their guests. The chef will greet visitors 

at the hotel before guiding them around the 

buzzing San Lorenzo market to select the freshest 

ingredients. Participants then cook alongside the 

chef to produce a mouthwatering Tuscan menu. 

Hiring a personal shopper is recommended, both 

for visiting high-end international boutiques and 

for exploring the fascinating world of Botteghe – 

local artisan stores. Visit the Chianti region to tour 

beautiful villas and to sample the best local wines. 



Cibréo 

Cuisine: Italian 

Phone: +39 055 234 1100 

Address: Via A. del Verrocchio 8r 

Website: www.edizioniteatrodelsalecibreofirenze.it 

Fuor D’Acqua 

Cuisine: Seafood 

Phone: +39 055 222 299 

Address: Via Pisana 37r 

Website: www.fuordacqua.it 

BEST SHoPS 

Via Tornabuoni and Via Strozzi are the most 

exclusive shopping streets in Florence. Italian 

brands on offer include Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, 

Prada, Bulgari, Gucci, Ferragamo and Tod’s. 

For quality handicrafts and antiques, the best 

art galleries and stores are located around Via 

Maggio, Via Santo Spirito and Via dei Fossi. 

San Lorenzo Central Market is the largest in the 

city but Florentines prefer Sant’ Ambrogio for 

Tuscan delicacies. 

Ponte Vecchio, with its traditional goldsmiths’ 

shops, is the place for top-quality, hand- 

made items. 


Trattoria 13 Gobbi 

Cuisine: Florentine 

Phone: +39 055 284 015 

Address: Via del Porcellana, 9 

Website: www.casatrattoria.com 

Buca Lapi 

Cuisine: Classic Tuscan 

Phone: +39 055 213 768 

Address: Via del Trebbio, 1/r, 50123 

Website: www.bucalapi.com 

Cestello Ristoclub 

Cuisine: Seafood 

Phone: +39 055 264 5364 

Address: Piazza di Cestello, 8 

Website: www.cestelloristoclub.com 

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MiCHELANgELo’S DAviD 

BEST SHoPS 

officina Profumo-Farmaceutica Di Santa 

Maria Novella and Dr. vranjes Firenze 

for natural perfumes, soaps and body 

care products. 

Simone Abbarchi and Antonio Liverano for 

tailor-made men’s suits. 

Casini and Scuola del Cuoio for one-of-akind 

leather items. 

il Micio and Mantellassi for quality, tailormade 

prêt-à-porter shoes. 

Lorenzo villoresi for special perfumes. 

Angela Caputi for original 1940s Hollywood 

inspired bijoux. Angela Caputi Giuggiù 

has gained worldwide recognition for her 

embellished resin jewelry and in 2005 she 

exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of 

Art in New York. Contact the designer at 

angelacaputi@hotmail.com; +39 055 212 972.

CONCIERGE RECOMMENDATIONS 

RUggERo vANNiNi 

HEAD CoNCiERgE, HoTEL SAvoY FiRENZE 

Phone: +39 055 273 51 

Website: www.hotelsavoy.it 

A guided walking tour is the best way to see the 

historical architecture, traditions and art culture 

of Florence. A visit to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the 

oldest and most influential public art galleries 

in the world, is a must. The Boboli Gardens are 

perfect for a romantic afternoon stroll. The historic 

city of Pisa and the elegant town of Lucca are 

both within easy driving distance of Florence. Ask 

your concierge to organize a chauffeur-driven day 

tour through the picturesque Tuscan countryside. 

Alternatively, book a guided tour and wine tasting 

at a vineyard in the nearby Chianti region. 




Enoteca Pinchiorri 


Phone: +39 055 242 757/777 

Address: Via Ghibellina 87, 50122 

Website: www.enotecapinchiorri.com 

The Enoteca Pinchiorri has three Michelin stars, 

an elegant summer courtyard, an exceptional 

wine list and a dazzling menu. 

Nove 

Cuisine: Fusion 

Phone: +39 055 230 2756 

Address: 10 Lung’Arno Guicciardini, 50123 

Classic Tuscan dishes with a Japanese twist 

are perfectly complemented by a selection of 

fine wines. 

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Cestello Ristoclub 

Cuisine: Italian and Seafood 

Phone: +39 055 264 5364 

Address: Piazza di Cestello, 8 

Website: www.cestelloristoclub.com 

Pick your favorite fish from the Cestello Ristoclub 

fish market and enjoy it cooked to order. 

BEST SHoPS 

Exclusive designer boutiques, including 

Emilio Pucci, Prada and Salvatore 

Ferragamo, are located on Via Tornabuoni 

and Cesare Paciotti and Etro are to be found 

on Via della Vigna Nuova. For a unique 

shopping experience, hire a personal shopper 

who can take you on a sartorial excursion off 

the tourist trail. 

THE BEAUTY oF TUSCAN LANDSCAPE

Where to stay 

Whether a sumptuous bed, a spectacular view or service beyond compare, choose from our stunning selection 

LUXURY IN THE HEART OF FLORENCE 

HOTEL SAVOY 

VIP contact: Mr Edward Leenders 

Phone: +39 055 273 5801 

Email: reservations.savoy@roccofortehotels.com 

Address: Piazza della Repubblica, 7, 50123 

Website: www.hotelsavoy.it; www.roccofortehotels.com 

The Hotel Savoy, one of the gems of the Rocco Forte Hotels, has a great 

history and a unique location in Piazza della Repubblica. The hotel is 

welcoming and elegant, built on the site where once the Mercato Vecchio 

and the Church of San Tommaso were located. It was opened in 1893 

and hailed in chronicles as one of the most modern and luxurious hotels 

of the period. Now, as in the past, the Savoy is the most renowned luxury 

hotel in the city center. A feeling of discreet luxury pervades the decor of 

the 102 luxury rooms and 14 glorious suites. It is designed in an elegant 

contemporary style which combines Italian touches with artworks 

inspired by local fashion houses. The hotel style is complemented by 

state-of-the-art technology and services. 

Rooms and suites offer charming views over Piazza della Repubblica, 

Giotto’s Bell Tower and the Cathedral Dome by Brunelleschi. 

The signature suites: Repubblica, Brunelleschi and Signoria are the 

ideal accommodation to indulge and spoil yourself during your stay. 

The Brunelleschi and Signoria Suites offer a private Turkish bath with 

elite destination guide | floRenCe 


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chromotherapy and aromatherapy treatments for a memorable and relaxing 

experience in the heart of Florence. 

A small but unique gym with panoramic views of the Duomo is available to 

all in-house guests. 

The fashionable L’Incontro Bar and Restaurant with its menus created by the 

famous Chef Fulvio Pierangelini offers Tuscan and international delicacies. 

Guests can have the added pleasure of lunching or dining outdoors during 

the summer season in the pleasantly cosmopolitan atmosphere of Florence. 

Within walking distance, you will find elegant shopping streets, grand 

monuments, the River Arno, Ponte Vecchio and all the places that make 

Florence one of the most beautiful and celebrated cities in the world.

Where to stay 

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE 

VIP contact: Patrizio Cipollini, General Manager 

Phone: +39 055 262 6200 

Email: patrizio.cipollini@fourseasons.com 

Address: Borgo Pinti, 99, 50121 


Located in two beautifully restored palaces, the 15th century Palazzo della 

Gherardesca and the 16th century Conventino, the Four Seasons Hotel 

Firenze offers guests the unique opportunity to live among Renaissance 

artwork in its original context. Intricate frescoes, bas-reliefs, stuccoes 

and silk wallpapers are ubiquitous. For greater privacy, take a suite in the 

Conventino, which is located at the far end of an 11-acre private garden. 

An intimate abode with 37 suites and a separate entrance from Via Gino 

Capponi, the Conventino was once the home to an order of nuns. There 

are a number of meeting spaces in both palaces including an elaborately 

decorated former church. The room amenities have been created by 

award-winning Italian perfumer Lorenzo Villoresi. 

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE 

CAPTION: ROYAL SUITE LIVING ROOm 





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ROYAL SUITE VAULTED GALLERY, FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE 

TOP SUITE 

ROYAL SUITE DELLA GHERARDESCA 

� Square footage: 2,518 � Nightly rate: $23,000 

Why we love it: The artistic and architectural detail in the Royal Suite 

della Gheradesca is truly breathtaking. The exquisite ceiling fresco and 

original 18th-century Capodimonte ceramic floor are illuminated by five 

large windows that overlook a private garden. Once the office of Ferrate 

Meridionali, the president of Italy’s first railway company, the marble 

bathroom is adorned with mechanical-themed bas reliefs dating from the 

early 1900s. There is a dining room with seating for ten, plus an office and 

separate guest bedroom. For more space, the Royal Suite della Gheradesca 

can be combined with both the Renaissance and Gallery Suites.

Where to stay 

RIVA LOFTS FLORENCE 

VIP contact: Alice Nardi 

Phone: +39 055 713 0272 

Email: management@rivalofts.com 

Address: Via Baccio Bandinelli 98, 50142 

Website: www.rivalofts.com 

Riva Lofts Florence offers Wallpaper award-winning studios, designed 

by world-renowned architect Claudio Nardi with a skillful combination 

of modern lines on historical walls, and the use of elegant and warm 

materials with contemporary details. 

The property is fitted out with his impressive and eclectic collection of midcentury 

furniture and antiques. Best known for his luxury fashion boutiques 

such as Dolce & Gabbana in New York and Milan, Claudio Nardi has here 

combined old and contemporary elements seamlessly and poetically. 

Guests are welcomed by the architect’s daughter, Alice Nardi, who will 

introduce them to the city’s local secrets with friendly insider tips. 

Each of the nine unique studios (from 320 to 1,100 square feet in size) 

is custom designed and offers a separate entrance, minibar with free 

soft drinks, remote-controlled AC and heating, TV with DVD / CD player, 

a telephone and free Wi-Fi. Some also feature a Jacuzzi and a private 

terrace with views of the garden. 

All guests can enjoy the living room 24 hours a day, with its cozy 

fireplace, library, tea and coffee facilities, DVD and CD collection, 

flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi access and honesty bar. 

In the summer, guests can relax in the beautiful garden with its white 

sandstone pool and soothing hammocks – perfect after a long 

day’s sightseeing. 



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Riva Lofts Florence is located just in front of the main city park, just 

across the River Arno, near the Uccello and Sansovino stop of the new 

tram connecting to Santa Maria Novella Railway Station. Vintage bicycles 

are provided for free. 

Reception is open from 8am to 8pm, so when the sun goes down guests 

get a real feeling of being in a ‘home away from home’.

Where to stay 



LOUNGE, JK PLACE 

JK PLACE 

VIP contact: Claudio Meli, General Manager 

Phone: +39 055 264 5181 

Email: gm@jkplace.com 

Address: Piazza Santa Maria Novella, 7 

Website: www.jkplace.com 

A boutique hotel with only 20 rooms, JK Place has a romantic and 

intimate atmosphere. Relax, book in hand, in the stylish JK Lounge and 

enjoy cappuccinos, fine Chiantis and delicious snacks from the hotel’s 

kitchen. JK Place has the ambiance of a refined private Florentine 

house with a strong emphasis on providing guests with a truly personal 

service. Rather than the typical front desk, the hotel reception is located 

in the library and breakfast is served on a communal table, adorned 

with freshly cut flowers. Before embarking on a night of fine dining in 

the city, enjoy an aperitif on the hotel’s roof terrace, while admiring 

the magnificent views of Florence. JK Place does not have its own spa 

but will arrange appointments at the outstanding Gabrio Staff spa on 

Via Tornabuoni where hotel guests are offered a free session in the 

exclusive Olimpo SPA Steam Bath. JK Place offers an exclusive cooking 

experience with an expert chef in the hotel’s professional kitchens. 

TOP SUITE 

mASTER ROOm 

� Square footage: 500 � Nightly rate: $1,400 

Why we love it: After a romantic evening in Florence, retire to the 

sensuous Master Room suite. The four-poster bed draped in cream 

fabrics, luxurious wall-to-wall carpets and the crystal chandelier ooze 

elegance. The plush living area has a white king-size sofa bed, walkin 

closet, decorative fireplace and a satellite LCD TV. The Wi-Fi and 

minibar are complimentary. 

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IL SALVIATINO 

IL SALVIATINO 

VIP contact: Simone Giorgi, General Manager 

Phone: +39 055 904 1111 

Email: simone.giorgi@salviatino.com 

Address: Via del Salviatino, 21, 50137 

Website: www.salviatino.com 

Winner of the Andrew Harper Grand Award 2011, Il Salviatino is located 

in a restored 15th-century villa. Situated in the hill-top village of Fiesole, 

four miles north of Florence, Il Salviatino has the atmosphere of a 

private aristocratic home. On arrival, guests are appointed a Service 

Ambassador, similar to a personal butler. Service Ambassadors will 

organize tailor-made suit and shoe fittings, helicopter transfers to 

the slopes and Vespa rides with picnics. The wood-panelled library is 

replete with fine liqueurs and even a secret door. Suites are individually 

designed to preserve original features including marble fireplaces 

and ancient mosaics. From its hillside position amid wild parkland, 

Il Salviatino boasts astonishing views of Florence’s city skyline. The 

hotel’s Deverana Spa offers sumptuous beauty therapies. The Signature 

Florentine Romance treatment includes a lavish bath in milk and roses 

followed by a rose petal scrub. To book an appointment, contact spa 

director Pierangela Flori on +39 055 904 1111. 

TOP SUITE 

mARCELLO SUITE 


Why we love it: At the top of the villa’s tower, the Marcello Suite 

spans three floors and features dramatic 360-degree views. Original 

characteristics, such as the parquet floors, were preserved during the 

villa’s renovation. The suite includes a bedroom, bathroom, private dining 

room and library.

Where to stay 

PALAZZO mAGNANI FERONI 

VIP contact: Antonella Fabiano, Guestcare Service 

Phone: +39 055 239 9544 

Email: guestcare@florencepalace.it 

Address: Borgo San Frediano, 5, 50124 

Website: www.palazzomagnaniferoni.com 

An intimate hotel, the Palazzo Magnani Feroni consists of 12 luxury 

suites. Each suite is composed of a large and luxurious living room, a 

spacious master bedroom, and a lush private marble bathroom where 

guests will find a selection of the best beauty products made by Bulgari. 

The billiard room has an antique baked clay floor and an ornate wrought 

iron chandelier, while antiques collected by the owner’s great grandfather 

embellish each room. Breakfast is served in a charming hall under a 

striking Murano crystal chandelier. There is no restaurant but private 

dinners can be organized on the rooftop terrace with panoramic views of 

the Florentine skyline. The Fresco Meeting Hall can be hired for private 

events. Located on the first floor of the Palazzo Magnani Feroni the hall 

has a private entrance and a superb frescoed ballroom. 



LIVING ROOm, FERONI DELUXE SUITE 

HELVETIA AND BRISTOL 

VIP contact: Stefano Venturi, General Manager 

Phone: +39 055 266 51 

Email: s.venturi@royaldemeure.com 

Address: Via dei Pescioni, 2, 50123 

Website: helvetiabristol.warwickhotels.com 

The Renaissance paintings and carefully chosen antiques in the 

Helvetia and Bristol drawing room evoke images of the young 17thcentury 

aristocrats who stayed here while exploring Florence’s rich 

artistic culture on their Grand Tours. The 67 rooms and suites are 

individually decorated with authentic artworks, silks and brocade. 

Centrally located, the Helvetia and Bristol is a short walk from the 

Duomo and a stone’s throw from the fashionable boutiques of Via 

Tornabuoni. After an afternoon’s shopping, relax with an expertly 

mixed cocktail at the hotel’s Hostaria Bibendum Bar and Restaurant. 

Michelin-star chef Enzo Pettè creates exquisite seasonal Mediterranean 

cuisine and offers exclusive VIP cooking lessons in the hotel’s kitchen. 

The alfresco terrace is the perfect location for afternoon teas and 

romantic candlelit dinners. 

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ENTRANCE HALL, PALAZZO mAGNANI FERONI 

TOP SUITE 

FERONI DELUXE SUITE 


Why we love it: Situated on the second floor of the Palace, the Feroni 

Deluxe Suite ceiling is adorned with a refined fresco. The double 

bedroom has gilded mirrors, sweeping fabrics, satellite LCD TV and an 

en-suite spacious marble bathroom with Bulgari beauty products. Keep 

fit in the privacy of your own suite on the Vibro Power Plate machine 

which offers 52 fitness and beauty programs. A laptop is provided and 

Wi-Fi is complimentary. Make use of the in-suite massage, hairdressing 

and manicure services. 

PANORAmIC SUITE, HELVETIA AND BRISTOL 

TOP SUITE 

PANORAmIC SUITE 


Why we love it: The Panoramic Suite’s expansive plate glass windows frame 

exceptional views of the Giotto Bell Tower, Florentine hills and the Pitti Palace. 

High ceilings and a fifth-floor location give the suite the ambiance of a cozy loft 

apartment with the deep red and burnt umber fabrics creating a warm vibe. There 

is an over-sized bed, autographed paintings and a Carrara marble bathroom.

Where to stay 

THE GALILEO RESIDENCE TERRACE, PALAZZO TORNABUONI 

LOGGIA TERRACE RESTAURANT, VILLA SAN mICHELE 



DINING ROOm, PALAZZO TORNABUONI 

12 

VILLA SAN mICHELE 

VIP contact: Marco Novella, General Manager 

Phone: +39 055 567 8200 

Email: mnovella@villasanmichele.net 

Address: Via Doccia 4, 50014, Fiesole 

Website: www.villasanmichele.com 

Once a 15th century Franciscan monastery, the Villa San Michele is located 

just below the village of Fiesole amid blossoming flora and fauna. The ornate 

reception area occupies the former chapel and it is believed that Michelangelo 

designed the monastery’s striking façade. One of the hotel’s many highlights 

is its dedicated cookery school, located in the kitchen gardens. Executive chef 

Attilio Di Fabrizio teaches a number of classes for a range of abilities. Book 

a private lesson followed by lunch with the chef himself. The Logia Terrace 

Restaurant with magnificent views of Florence is a wonderful location for a 

romantic summer evening meal. The Loggia bar hosts live music and serves 

drinks until midnight. 

TOP SUITE 

THE LImONAIA GARDEN HOUSE 


Why we love it: Comprising of three suites linked by a staircase and private 

garden, the Limonaia Garden House is effectively a private villa within the 

Villa San Michele, and was once the monastery’s orangery. The three double 

bedrooms and living rooms are stylishly decorated in Tuscan Renaissance 

style and boast awe-inspiring views over the city. The private garden has its 

own heated plunge pool. 

PALAZZO TORNABUONI 

VIP contact: Mrs Antje d’Almeida, VIP Membership Advisor 

Phone: +39 055 268 966 

Email: adalmeida@palazzotornabuoni.com 

Address: Via Tornabuoni, 16, 50123 

Website: www.palazzotornabuoni.com 

If the astonishing architecture and artistic culture of Florence truly capture 

your imagination then why not invest in the exclusive Palazzo Tornabuoni 

Private Residence Club managed by the Four Seasons. Located at the 

crossroads of Via Strozzi and the chic Via Tornabuoni, the Residence 

Club occupies a 15th century palace that was once home to Pope Leo XI. 

The Palazzo Tornabuoni has 36 residences with eight memberships per 

residence. To ensure flexibility members can stay in any residence in their 

membership category: studio, one-bed, two-bed or three-bed. The Palazzo 

Tornabuoni is beautified with vibrantly detailed frescoes and terrace 

views of the Duomo. There is a private club room with 30-foot ceilings and 

wooden beams, a library and cigar room with state-of-the-art ventilation 

and a spa and fitness center. Members have access to the outstanding Spa 

at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, located nearby. Each resident is appointed 

an Attaché who will organize anything from private tasting rooms at 

select wineries to exclusive outings at private hunting lodges and resorts, 

or small dinner parties at your residence catered by a Michelin-starred 

chef. The club hosts regular talks by local and visiting experts on diverse 

topics from economics to modern Italian design. Clothes and personal 

belongings can be kept in secure climate-controlled storage, and laid out 

in your residence in time for your arrival. Personal wine collections may 

be stored in the club’s cellar and the concierge will deliver vintages to your 

residence on request.

Where to Dine 

The philosophy of traditional Tuscan 

cuisine is fresh, local ingredients, 

simply cooked. T-bone steak prepared 

on chestnut wood and served with salt, 

top ChoiCe 

elite destination guide | Florence 


pepper and a drizzle of olive oil is a 

Florentine specialty. From three Michelinstarred 

Enoteca Pinchiorri to gelato 

specialists Grom, Florence’s restaurants 

ENOTECA PINCHIORRI 

General Manager: Alessandro Giani 

Phone: +39 055 242 757/777 

Email: ristorante@enotecapinchiorri.com 

Address: Via Ghibellina, 87, 50122 


Head chef Annie Féold and Sommelier Georgio Pinchiorri began their collaboration in 1972 at the 

esteemed National Wine Cellar where Féold crafted light dishes to complement Pinchiorri’s coveted wine 

collection. Féold’s cuisine became increasingly complex and by 1993 the pair was running a three-Michelinstar 

restaurant with a renowned wine cellar. Pinchiorri keeps 120,000 bottles of the finest wine in the 

restaurant’s basement. Enoteca Pinchiorri emanates character and charm with mosaics, parquet floors, a 

pink marble chimney and antique furniture, but it is the restaurant’s cuisine rather than its décor that is the 

true show stopper. Born in Nice, Annie Féold applies French techniques to Tuscan gastronomy. Dishes focus 

on one ingredient prepared by a number of methods. One popular dish on a single plate is crawfish filled 

with courgettes and thyme, fried in batter and stewed with onions and bacon. 


Destination guiDe series 

TERRACE, ENOTECA PINCHIORRI 

13 

use the finest Tuscan artisanal 

ingredients for clean flavors and fresh, 

melt-in-your-mouth textures. Dishes are 

accompanied with velvety Tuscan wines. 

ENOTECA PINCHIORRI

Where to Dine 

stYLish 

ORA D’ARIA 

Head Chef: Marco Stabile 

Phone: +39 055 200 1699 

Email: prenotazioni@oradariaristorante.com 

Address: Via Dei Gorgofili 11r, 50122 

Website: www.oradariaristorante.com 

Cuisine: Tuscan 

For five years the Ora d’Aria was situated opposite Le Murate, a former 

Renaissance women’s prison. Ora d’Aria, meaning ‘hour of air’, refers to the 

prisoners’ mandatory exercise hour. The restaurant has now moved to a more 

central location behind the Uffizi Gallery. Earmarked for a Michelin star, Ora 

d’Aria’s up-and-coming Head Chef, 33-year-old Marco Stabile, was born in 

Pontedera near Pisa. The minimalist grey and white décor is complemented by 

contemporary artwork from the Galleria Bagnai. The à la carte menu changes 

frequently and the two tasting menus are Tuscan and Fish themed. For a 

discrete dinner, request the chef’s table in the cellar for up to four people. For a 

once-in-a-lifetime opportunity book a private lesson with Marco Stabile who has 

taught at the prestigious Jesi, Montecatini Terme, and Arezzo cookery schools. 

eLegant 

CIBRÈO 

General Manager: Cristina Petrelli 

Phone: +39 055 234 1100 

Email: info@cibreo.com 

Address: Via del Verrocchio 8r 


Cuisine: Tuscan 

Chef and owner Fabio Picchi specializes in refining traditional Tuscan cuisine. 

Using local produce from the Sant’Ambrogio farmer’s market, Picchi creates 

elegant dishes from ancient recipes, including roasted pigeon stuffed with 

fruit mustard, and calamari and spinach stew. Picchi’s homemade chocolate 

cake and cheesecake with bitter Sicilian marmalade are heavenly. The 

accommodating waiting staff are multilingual and will describe the daily 

specials in detail. Cibrèo is a renowned meeting place for writers, musicians 

and intellectuals, and American film director Woody Allen has been spotted 

here. There is a private dining room for up to 20 people and the entire restaurant 

can be hired for private events. 



ORA D’ARIA 

14 

IL PALAGIO AT THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE 

eLegant 

IL PALAGIO AT THE FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENZE 

Head Chef: Vito Mollica 

Phone: +39 055 262 61 

Email: vito.mollica@fourseasons.com 

Address: Borgo Pinti 99, 50121 



For the freshest flavors, Il Palagio sources seasonal ingredients from artisan 

producers throughout Tuscany. The restaurant occupies the former stable block 

at the Renaissance Palazzo della Gherardesca and boasts distinctive period 

vaulted ceiling and columns. The interior is embellished with pale silver and rose 

accents. Generous French doors open onto a summer terrace and offer scenic 

views of the Four Seasons’ private garden. Executive Chef Vito Mollica offers 

mouthwatering tasting menus, harmonized with exquisite wine pairings. Vito 

Mollica’s unique creations include violets with Moscato wine vinegar dressing, 

glazed sweetbreads and black cabbage flan. And choose from desserts such as 

the delectable chocolate and hazelnut cylinder with caramel ice cream and an 

espresso sabayon. In the heart of Il Palagio, guests will find the Winery Room with 

around 400 bottles on display. Select from a menu of small dishes designed to 

complement exquisite vintages, which can be tasted by the glass. 

CIBRÈO

Where to Dine 

L’INCONTRO RESTAURANT CUISINE 



eLegant eLegant 

L’INCONTRO RESTAURANT AT 

THE HOTEL SAvOy FIRENZE 

Executive Chef: Remo Vannini 

Phone: +39 055 273 5891 

Email: fb.savoy@roccofortecollection.com 

Address: Piazza della Repubblica, 7, 50123 

Websites: www.hotelsavoy.it/dining; 

www.lincontrorestaurant.it 

Cuisine: Tuscan/International 

The cutting-edge dishes of two-Michelin-star 

chef Fulvio Pierangelini have made L’Incontro 

Restaurant one of the most fashionable meeting 

places in Florence. During the summer, dine 

on L’Incontro’s terrace, perfectly situated on 

the lively Piazza della Repubblica. Executive 

chef Remo Vannini selects seasonal produce 

from Florence’s quality food markets to ensure 

fresh vibrant flavors. Try the delectable beef 

fillet with balsamic vinegar sauce and vegetable 

caponata followed by the mouthwatering 

calvados soufflé with caramelized apple. Before 

your meal, enjoy an aperitif at the L’Incontro 

Bar, currently listed as part of the ‘Bond Bar’ 

circuit, in recognition of its elegant atmosphere 

and superb classic Martinis. The innovative staff 

add new cocktails to the menu each month. 

L’Incontro can be hired for private events and 

exclusive private dinners. 

15 

L’INCONTRO RESTAURANT AT THE HOTEL SAvOy FIRENZE 

ALLE MURATE 

Restaurant Manager: Silvia Del Priore 

Phone: +39 055 240 618 

Email: silvia@allemurate.it 

Address: Via del Proconsolo 16r, 50122 

Website: www.allemurate.it 


Alle Murate is both a restaurant and a museum. 

Residing in the historical Palazzo della Arte dei 

Giudici e Notai – palace of judges and notaries 

– the restaurant’s frescoes include the earliest 

recorded depiction of Dante and Boccaccio. 

History buffs will be delighted to learn that the 

palace’s Roman foundations can be viewed in the 

basement. Offering traditional Tuscan dishes, 

including Pappardelle with Chianina beef ragout 

and T-bone steak, Giovanna Iorio prefers the title 

of ‘cook’ to ‘head chef’. There are many creative 

dishes on the menu, such as celery soup with 

pineapple and scallops, or stone bass fillet with 

red beetroots and stewed savoy cabbage with 

capers. The restaurant’s cellar includes wines 

from smaller producers in addition to great 

Italian and French labels. Gothic candleholders, 

exposed brickwork and white linens create a 

romantic atmosphere. For a private tour of the 

palace or to organize a private event, contact 

Restaurant Manager Silvia Del Priore.

Where to Dine 

stYLish 

IL SANTO BEvITORE 

General Manager: Claudio Di Sante 

Phone: +39 055 211 264 

Email: info@ilsantobevitore.com 

Address: Via Santo Spirito, 66r 

Website: www.ilsantobevitore.com 

Cuisine: Mediterranean 

Owned by Marco and Martina Baldesi and Stefano Sebastiani, Il Santo 

Bevitore serves Mediterranean-inspired, locally sourced seasonal menus 

that change every three months. Chef Claudio Salvadori selects fresh 

fruit and vegetables from greengrocers in the Santo Spirito and San 

Frediano areas of Tuscany. Ingredients are hand-picked from high-quality 

artisan food producers for scrumptious dishes including leg of rabbit 

with prunes, tomato and cabbage and coffee crème brûlée served with a 

delicious rum ice cream. The Il Santo deli and wine bar next door opened 

only two years ago and can be hired out for private events. Famous 

guests include actresses Jessica Alba and Monica Bellucci, and film 

director Bernardo Bertolucci. 



IL SANTO BEvITORE 

16 

geLateria 

MURA MURA FARM, GROM 

GROM 

General Managers: Frederico Grom and Guido Martinetti 

Phone: +39 055 216 158 

Email: info@grom.it 

Address: Via del Campanile on the corner of Via delle Oche, 50012 Florence 

Website: www.grom.it 

Cuisine: Gelato 

No trip to Florence is complete without a scoop of mouthwatering Italian 

gelato. Famed for their obsessive attention to detail, Guido Martinetti and 

Federico Grom have adopted an artisanal approach to making gelato. 

Martinetti and Grom hunt down the highest quality raw materials including 

cocoas and coffees from Central America, spring water from the Lurisia 

Mountains and rare fruit varieties from their own organic farm Mura 

Mura. The duo grew eight varieties of peach before selecting the very 

best for their peach sorbet. For optimum quality control these premium 

raw ingredients are mixed at a central laboratory overseen by Martinetti 

and Grom. The resultant liquid combinations are distributed to Grom 

stores three times a week and are blended onsite. Grom’s flavors are 

extraordinary, from Chioccolato Extranoir, a chocolate sorbet made with 

Colombian chocolate and Lurisia spring water, to the Caramello al sale 

gelato, which balances sweet caramel with pink salt from the Himalayas. 

GROM GELATO

Where to be pampered 

Allow yourself to be transported to another world of relaxation and beauty with our top spa and therapist recommendations 

Estetica Avanzata 

Medical Division 

Benessere Day SPA 

Estetica Avanzata 

Medical Division 

Benessere Day SPA 

Body Care Benessere day sPa 

Piazza S.Caterina d’Alessandria 1 – 50129 

Phone: +39 055 482 820 

Email: info@bodycarefirenze.it 

Website: www.bodycarefirenze.it 

Located in downtown Florence, close to the magic of the city’s churches, 

piazzas and monuments of the Renaissance, the Body Care Benessere 

Day SPA is a place for relaxation of body and spirit. Stop to enjoy the benefits 

of our sauna, Turkish baths, two pools with Jacuzzis, multi-sensory shower 

relaxation area and follow up with beauty treatments and a massage to tone, 

drain and purify. The Day SPA is an atmospheric and exclusive environment 

where qualified staff provide personalized wellbeing treatments with the 

use of precious essences, active mud and exclusive cosmetics. A lounge of 

wellness, the Day SPA hosts a limited number of customers at any one time 

to discover a new dimension of wellbeing. 

Body Care is a center for the care of the body that also includes an advanced 

technical center and the new Medical Division. Encompassing 2,000 square 

feet, with 22 treatment rooms and 40 professional beauticians, Body Care 

uses the latest technology for the treatment of face and body with an evergreater 

range of services available for customers who require visible results 


www.elitetraveler.com 17 

immediately. From cellulite to stretch marks, weight loss, firming-up, 

anti-ageing treatments and permanent hair removal to manicures, pedicures 

and nail care, all treatments are customized by Body Care. Finally, the 

Body Care Medical Division employs a team of specialists and doctors for 

targeted anti-ageing care including plastic surgeons, cosmetic doctors, 

dermatologists, nutritionists, osteopatologists and psychologists that can be 

consulted at any time. 

PhotograPhy By roBerto leone


gaBrio staff 

VIP contact: Anna Spano 

Phone: +39 055 214 668 

Email: anna@gabriostaff.it 

Address: Via De’ Tornabuoni, 5 

Website: www.gabriostaff.it 

When you’re in need of pampering and relaxation, Gabrio Staff can offer 

a blissful beauty salon experience for guests who won’t accept second 

best. The Hair Spa was born out of a belief that each guest should enjoy 

their appointment with a stylist as a moment exclusively theirs. 

The hair care treatments are an innovative blend of hair styling and 

massage skills. In the past you would expect to sit at a sink while a 

stylist washed your hair. Gabrio Staff breaks with this tradition, treating 

the washing of hair as a beauty ritual. On arrival, each guest is wrapped 

in a soft bathrobe and invited to relax on a chaise longue, letting them 

savor the soothing touch of the specialist’s hands on their head, neck, 

shoulders and arms. The welcoming ‘senses’ massage stimulates 

circulation and rebalances the hair’s cuticle pH while preparing the 

mind and body for total relaxation. The shampooing process relaxes the 



hair and eliminates anxiogenic agents, and the rinsing water is poured 

from crystal pitchers, enhancing the effects of the manual massage 

with a water massage. 

The personal beauty treatments range from a reinvigorating masque 

and the Basic Hair Spa with a leg and foot massage, to the ‘Silk’ 

treatment with an exfoliating leg massage and Hydra with a mini-facial 

and exfoliating massage. The most exclusive service is the ‘4 hands 

Hair Spa’, which involves one masseuse to relax your head and 

shoulders, while another massages your arms and legs. The service 

also includes a mini-facial and an exfoliating massage. 

The décor of the Hair Spa is based on comfort and privacy. The exterior 

retains the charm of historical Florence, while the contemporary 

interior makes delicate use of sand and ivory tones, spot lighting and 

white stones from Massa-Carrara. The four VIP cabins are the pinnacle 

of style and comfort. 

In addition to the Hair Spa, Gabrio Staff features a salon for hairstyling and 

a wellness center for a range of Ayurvedic and Indian massages. Gabrio 

Staff is open Monday 1pm – 8pm and Tuesday to Saturday 9am – 8pm.


CouPle’s suite, four seasons hotel firenze, sPa 

the sPa at four seasons hotel firenze 

Spa Director: Petra Raffl 

Phone: +39 055 262 6261 

Email: petra.raffl@fourseasons.com 


Website: www.fourseasons.com/florence/spa 

Treatment and facilities: This outstanding spa is located within Giardino 

della Gherardesca, Four Seasons Hotel Firenze’s 11-acre private garden. 

The spa uses a bespoke range of natural products formulated by one of the 

world’s oldest pharmacies, the Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa 

Maria Novella. 

Pierre Yves Rochon is responsible for the spa lounge’s chic cream and 

black interior, which provides the perfect backdrop for carefully chosen 

pieces of classical art. The nine treatment rooms in the main building 

have stunning floor-to-ceiling windows, contemporary mosaics and 

polished oak floors. The true highlight is the opulent VIP Couple’s Suite. 

Located in a separate building, the Couple’s Suite has corniced ceilings, a 

freestanding bath and a fireplace in the lounge area. To ensure absolute 

discretion, the extensive windows face directly on to the Suite’s own 

private garden area. 

Signature treatment: The Sense of Well-Being. Available in the VIP 

Couple’s Suite, allow your body to experience a state of total relaxation 

over three delicious pampering hours. The treatment consists of an eightstep 

ritual including a foot soak, rose water toning treatment, Tuscan 

exfoliating scrub and a pureness facial. Sheer heaven. 

soulsPaCe 

Spa Director: Dr. Zelal Elbistan 

Phone: +39 055 200 1794 

Email: info@soulspace.it 

Address: Via S. Egidio 12, 50122 

Website: www.soulspace.it 

Formerly a print works and located in the heart of ancient Florence, 

Soulspace underwent careful restoration and opened as a spa in 2007. 

It offers high vaulted ceilings, muted tones and gentle lighting giving guests 

space to truly let go and relax. There are six treatment rooms, a heated 

indoor pool and a Turkish hamam. Between treatments, clients can relax 




with a book and a soft drink in the decked garden or lounge area, where 

delicate perfumes and melodious music drift through the air. The spa offers 

a light menu of herbal infusions, fresh vegetables, and fruit and yoghurt. 

Signature treatment: Aromasoul Arabian Day Spa. To achieve complete 

relaxation, book an entire day at Soulspace. Relax in the warm indoor pool 

before experiencing an invigorating Turkish bath. Follow this by a firming 

eye treatment that nourishes and elasticizes the skin to relax and revitalize 

tired eyes. Rose and fruit extracts are used to re-plump lips, while ancient 

Oriental, Mediterranean, Indian and Arabian traditions are combined in 

the aromasoul ritual scrub. End your day in complete bliss with a soothing 

Arabian massage.

What to do ➤ during the day 

Considered the birthplace of the 

Renaissance, Florence is rich in 

history and art. Visit the Uffizi and Palazzo 

FaMiLy 

MUSEO GALILEO 

VIP contact: Professor Paulo Galluzzi 

Phone: +39 055 265 311 

Email: p.galluzzi@museogalileo.it 

Email Secretariat: info@museogalileo.it 

Address: Instituto e Museo di Storia della Scienza, Piazza dei Giudici, 1, 50122 

Website: www.museogalileo.it 

In 2010 the Institute and Museum of the History of Science was revamped and 

renamed the Museo Galileo. Dedicated to the father of modern science, Galileo 

SPort 



Vecchio to admire the work of Renaissance 

masters and learn about Florence’s 

scientific revolution at the Museo Galileo. 

20 

Alternatively, escape to the beautiful Tuscan 

countryside and enjoy a round of golf on the 

world-class course, Poggio Dei Medici. 

ROOM III, vIRtUAL RECOnStRUCtIOn, MUSEO GALILEO GALILEO’S MUMMIFIED FInGER, MUSEO GALILEO 

POGGIO DEI MEDICI GOLF COURSE 

VIP contact: Mr. Loris Vento, Golf Course Director 

Phone: +39 055 843 50 

Email: info@golfpoggiodeimedici.com 

Address: Via San Gavino, 27 50038, Scarperia 

Website: www.golfpoggiodeimedici.com 

Poggio dei Medici lies in the beautiful Mugello valley only 20 miles from 

the center of Florence. The course is a design collaboration between 


deStination guide SerieS 

Galilei, the Museum houses over 1,000 instruments and devices, including 

the telescope Galileo used to find Jupiter’s moon. Alongside the impressive 

scientific collections of the houses of Medici and Lorraine, look out for Galileo’s 

mummified middle finger. Missing for decades, this legendary digit turned up 

at auction in 2009 mounted on a marble base. The rest of Galileo’s remains 

are buried at the Sante Croce Basilica in Florence. A family centered museum, 

Museo Galileo offers an interactive video guide with animations showing how the 

scientific instruments actually worked. Contact the Museum’s secretariat for a 

child-friendly private tour with a knowledgeable guide dressed as Galileo. 

Italian architect Alvise Rossi Fioravanti and professional golfer Baldovino 

Dassù. Thanks to its worldwide reputation, Poggio dei Medici hosted 

the Ladies European Tour from 1999 to 2003. The quality course offers 

five different starting tees, and an extensive driving range together with 

pitching and putting greens. Book a private lesson with a PGA instructor. 

There is an onsite resort with a swimming pool, gym, Turkish bath and 

spa. The clubhouse occupies an attractive 16th century building and there 

are plans to construct nine more holes in this beautiful Tuscan location.


UFFIZI 

CuLturaL 

UFFIZI 

VIP contact: Dr. Cristina Acidini 

Phone: +39 055 238 8651 

Email: segreteria@polomuseale.firenze.it 

Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 50122 

Website: www.uffizi.firenze.it 

Designed by architect and painter Vasari, the Uffizi was completed in 1581 under the supervision 

of architect Bernado Buontalenti. The Uffizi, meaning ‘office’, originally housed government 

offices and the official mint before its conversion to a national art gallery that first opened to the 

public in 1756. One of the world’s oldest and most influential galleries, the Uffizi displays the 

greatest Italian and European art from the 13th to 18th centuries, including Botticelli’s stunning 

Birth of Venus, Leonardo da Vinci’s the Adoration of the Magi and Carravagio’s Medusa. The walls 

of Bernardo Buontalenti’s octagonal Tribuna room are decorated with impressive floor-to-ceiling 

Renaissance paintings from the Medici collection. The Vasari corridor, commissioned by the 

Grand Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici in 1564, houses the Uffizi’s dazzling selection of self-portraits. 

The corridor links Palazzo Pitti, the Duke’s former residence, with the government palace, 

Palazzo Vecchio. Crossing the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge, the corridor joins up with the Uffizi 

gallery. The Vasari Corridor can only be visted by guided tour for groups of up to five people. 

In the summer, waiting times for the Uffizi can be up to four hours. To avoid the long queues, 

contact Dr Cristina Acidini to arrange private guided tours of the Vasari Gallery and private 

viewings, conferences and gala dinners in the Uffizi. 



21 

CuLturaL 

PALAZZO vECCHIO 

VIP contact: Elena Pianea 

Phone: +39 055 276 8224 / +39 055 276 8558 

Email: info@museicivicifiorentini.it 

Address: Piazza della Signoria 1, 50122 

Website: www.palazzovecchio-familymuseum.it 

Palazzo Vecchio is the historical seat of 

government for the city of Florence. Currently 

the office of the Mayor of Florence and the seat 

of the City Council, many of Palazzo Vecchio’s 

monumental rooms and halls are now open 

to visitors. Guests are greeted at the entrance 

by a replica of Michelangelo’s David, since 

the original now resides at the Accademia 

Gallery. Designed by Duomo architect Arnolfo 

di Cambio, the Palazzo Vecchio was built 

in the late 13th century on the Piazza della 

Signoria. Remodeled by Cosimo I de’Medici in 

1540, the elaborate interior is an unexpected 

revelation, contrasting starkly with the coarse 

stone exterior. Home to the Florentine Republic 

parliament in 1494, the 13,000 square foot 

Salone dei Cinquecento is bursting with 

outstanding artwork from frescoes by Vasari 

to Michelangelo’s formidable Genius of War. To 

arrange private viewings of the site or private 

guided tours contact Elena Pianea at 

e.pianea@comune.fi.it/gestione.musei@comune.fi.it 

MICHELAnGELO LA vIttORIA, PALAZZO vECCHIO


CuLturaL 



PALAZZO StROZZI COURtyARD 

PALAZZO StROZZI 

VIP contact: Alessandra Lotti Margotti, Logistics and Events Coordination 

Phone: +39 055 391 7125 

Email: a.lottimargotti@palazzostrozzi.org 

Address: Piazza Strozzi 50123 

Website: www.palazzostrozzi.org 

Cultural center Palazzo Strozzi hosts two major exhibitions a year, in addition 

to a permanent exhibition dedicated to the Palazzo’s history. Founded in 2006, 

the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi has worked to bring prestigious international 

cultural events to Florence. Situated in the heart of Florence, with entrances 

on the Via Tornabuoni and Piazza Strozzi, the Palazzo Strozzi is one of 

the finest examples of Renaissance architecture. The palace’s distinctive 

rusticated masonry is in stark contrast with the contemporary exhibitions 

that it houses. Fashion shows and installations by leading contemporary 

artists and free classical, jazz and contemporary music concerts regularly 

take place in the splendid courtyard, which also has a lively café-bar. From 

September 17, 2011 to January 22, 2012, the Palazzo Strozzi will host an 

exhibition entitled Money and Beauty; Bankers, Botticelli and the Bonfire of 

the Vanities. This exhibition will explore the relationship between the modern 

banking system and the Renaissance art movement. Palazzo Strozzi can 

arrange private visits and host special events. 

22 

CuLturaL 

OFFICInA PROFUMO-FARMACEUtICA DI SAntA MARIA nOvELLA 

VIP contact: Mr. Eugenio Alphrandery 

Phone: +39 055 216 276 

Email: officina@smnovella.com 

Address: Via della Scala 16 

Website: www.smnovella.it 

Established in the 1220s by Dominican friars, the Officina Profumo- 

Farmaceutica Di Santa Maria Novella is one of the oldest pharmacies 

in the world. The friars developed their skills producing medication and 

revitalizing balms for the monastery’s infirmary using herbs from their 

own garden. The pharmacy opened its doors to the public in 1612 and 

was eventually named a ‘Distillery of His Royal Highness’ by the Grand 

Duke of Tuscany. The friars soon had buyers in China, Russia and India 

and they created the perfume Aqua della Regina for Caterina de’ Medici, 

the Queen of France. The pharmacy continues to use bespoke machinery 

and the highest quality natural ingredients to prepare the ancient recipes 

of Dominican Friar Angiolo Marchissi. Now a shop and a museum, the 

pharmacy even offers a range of perfumes for cats and dogs, specialty 

foods and special preparations for skin that has undergone cosmetic 

surgery. To book a private guided tour email visiteofficina@smnovella.com. 

FARMACEUtICA SALA vEnDItA SOFF

What to do ➤ during the night 

Located in southern Tuscany, 

Florence is a city for wine lovers. 

Enjoy exclusive private tastings at the 

Bar 



city’s top wine bars, complemented 

with rustic Tuscan delicacies. For an 

exclusive private event hire celebrity 

DOLCE VITA BAR 

Phone: +39 055 284 595 

Email: info@dolcevitaflorence.com 

Address: Piazza del Carmine 

Website: www.dolcevitaflorence.com 

The Dolce Vita has enjoyed several makeovers since it opened in 1985. Architects 

Simon Miller, Claudio Nardi and Gaetano Pesce have all contributed to the bar’s 



GOLDEN VIEW OPEN BAR CELLAR 

23 

Wine Bar 

chef Fabio Picchi’s Teatro del Sale, 

combining good food with high-class 

theatrical performance. 

GOLDEN VIEW OPEN BAR 

VIP contact: Antonio Marino 

Phone: +39 055 214 502 

Email: antonio@goldenviewopenbar.com 

Address: Via de Bardi 58r, Ponte Vecchio 

Website: www.goldenviewopenbar.com 

The Golden View Open Bar has a number of fascinating rooms, including 

a restaurant serving delicious Mediterranean cuisine, a tea room, a bar 

offering vividly colored cocktails and a bakery serving breakfast. Each room 

boasts magnificent views across the River Arno to the Ponte Vecchio and 

Uffizi Gallery. For a truly elite experience, book an exclusive wine tasting 

session in the bar’s vast private cellar, followed by a private VIP dinner in 

a suite above the restaurant. Chef Francesco Casu uses high-quality fresh 

ingredients, simply cooked to produce delicious and healthy cuisine. Why not 

sample some of the unusual raw fish dishes on offer, such as tartare of tuna 

and red shrimp dressed in extra virgin olive oil. 

GOLDEN VIEW OPEN BAR REsTAuRANT 

iconic interior. Diner-style stainless steel high stools and tables surround the 

curved white bar and bright splashes of paint enliven the concrete floor. There 

is a relaxed leather seating area bathed in blue green light, with luminous 

sculptures and hand-picked glass tiles. The Dolce Vita has a large exhibition 

space where a new selection of artwork is displayed every 30 days. The bar 

offers a broad selection of international wines and hosts regular wine tastings, 

complemented by flavorsome French cheeses and Tuscan salami.

What to do ➤ during the night 

FABIO PICChI 

theater 

TEATRO DEL sALE 

VIP contact: Annalisa Passigli 

Phone: +39 055 200 1492 

Email: info@teatrodelsale.com 

Address: Via dei Macci, 111r 


For a unique private event with catering by celebrity chef Fabio Picchi, 

hire out the vibrant Teatro del Sale. This former theater houses a rustic 

kitchen replete with a wood burning stove and a large room with vaulted 

ceiling for dining and entertainment. The Teatro del Sale is open for 

breakfast, lunch and dinner and regularly presents evenings of theater 

and music. This lively private members club can be hired for exclusive 

events complete with fine cuisine and entertainment. 





24 

Wine Bar 

FuORI PORTA 

VIP contact: Andrea Conti 

Phone: +39 055 234 2483 

Email: info@fuoriporta.it 

Address: Via del Monte alle Croci, 10, 50125 

Website: www.fuoriporta.it 

This unassuming establishment with wooden benches and paper 

napkins boasts an unexpected and astonishing wine list. The cellar 

holds between 530 and 600 labels with a rotation of 250 labels each 

year and new wines arriving every ten days. Wines can be bought by 

the glass or bottle and the staff are knowledgeable. Straightforward 

Tuscan dishes are served to complement the wine menu. In summer, 

pick a spot outside and enjoy rustic bruschetta and crostini and sample 

superior Tuscan and international wines. Owner Andrea Conti also runs 

the adjoining wine shop and will ship wines to the USA. 

FuORI PORTA

What to do ➤ FEatUREd EVENtS 

Sample fine Tuscan wines under 

the guidance of leading wine critic 

James Suckling at Divino Tuscany. 

DIVINO TUSCANY 

DIVINO TUSCANY 

June 2012 

VIP contact: Mr. Jeff Furhman, President 

Phone: +1 212 994 3508 

Email: jfuhrman@imgartists.com 

Website: www.divinotuscany.com 

Divino Tuscany is a celebration of Tuscan winemaking excellence. The event 

brings together the top winemakers from Tuscany to promote, share and 

demystify their top-rated wines. Collaborators include James Suckling, 

former Senior Editor and European Bureau Chief of Wine Spectator and one 

PUCCINI FESTIVAL 

22 July – 27 August 2011 

VIP contact: Alessandra Delle Fave 

Phone: + 39 32 9904 5227 

Email: info@puccinifestival.it or press@puccinifestival.it 

Address: Fondazione Festival Pucciniano, Via della Torbiere, 

Torre del Lago, 55049 

Website: www.puccinifestival.it 

Paying tribute to Lucca-born composer Giacomo Puccini, the Festival is 

held every summer in an open-air theater next to Puccini’s former home, 

Villa Mausoleum. Established in 1930, the festival now attracts 40,000 opera 

lovers each year, all keen to enjoy extraordinary productions of Puccini’s 

operas including Madam Butterfly, La Bohème and Turandot. The modern 

amphitheater-like arena opened in 2008 and seats 3,370. VIPs are offered a 

welcome drink in the guest garden and invited to meet the opera stars in their 

dressing rooms before the performance. A special dinner with the artists after 

the performance can be arranged for elite guests. 

PUCCINI FESTIVAL 

elite destination guide | FloRenCe 


Listen to the celebrated Madam 

Butterfly opera at the Puccini Festival, 

an event dedicated to the music of the 

25 

Tuscan-born composer. Alternatively, 

immerse yourself in Italian culture at 

the Tuscan Sun Festival. 

of the world’s most influential wine critics, and IMG Artists, one of the leading 

producers of cultural and lifestyle festivals, including the Tuscan Sun Festival. 

Consulting with founding vintners from Marchesi Antinori, Frescobaldi, 

Mazzei, Ricasoli, Il Borro, Petrolo and Castello Banfi, Divino Tuscany offers a 

distinctive program that highlights premium wines in one of the most dramatic 

viticultural regions in the world. The unique combination of wine, food, culture 

and history can all be enjoyed in beautiful Tuscan locations, and the elite 

traveler can expect four indulgent days of grand tastings, seminars, special 

dinners and entertainment. The 2011 event included an exclusive Tuscan pig 

roast hosted by Sting at his private villa, Il Palagio. 

TUSCAN SUN FESTIVAL 

1-7 August 2011 

VIP contact: Matthew Todd, Producer 

Phone: +44 20 7957 5813 

Email: mtodd@imgartists.com 

Address: Piazza Signorelli 14, 52044, Cortona 

Website: www.tuscansunfestival.com 

The Tuscan Sun Festival is an arts and lifestyle event with world-class concerts, 

wine and culinary events and wellness classes. The festival opens with pianist 

Martha Argerich’s Argentina evening featuring tango variations by composers 

Ginastera, Piazzolla and Bacalov. Sharon Stone and Jeremy Irons are booked to 

narrate the love story of Chopin and French feminist George Sand. During the 

day, visitors can take part in Tai Chi, Pilates and Yoga classes. There will also 

be cookery demonstrations with a Relais & Châteux chef, readings with literary 

figures and discussions with artists. Gala dinners will be held in collaboration with 

local wine makers. Leading wine expert and former Senior Editor and European 

Bureau Chief of Wine Spectator magazine James Suckling, will host a Masters 

of Wine tasting. This will be followed by dinner at Michelin-starred Il Falconiere 

restaurant. VIP guests are invited to attend exclusive post-concert receptions. 

COOkErY CLASS, TUSCAN SUN FESTIVAL

WHAT TO DO ➤ SHOPPING 

For Florentine fashion houses such 

as Emilio Pucci and international 

designer boutiques including Emporio 

Armani, Gucci and Prada, head to Via 

DePArTmeNT STOreS 

LA RINASCENTE 

Store Manager: Kim Soo 

Phone: +39 055 219 113 

Email: clienti462@rinascente.it 

Address: Piazza della Repubblica 

Website: www.rinascente.it 

LUISA VIA ROMA 

Phone: +39 055 217 321 / +39 055 906 4116 

Email: customerservice@luisaviaroma.com 

Address: Via Roma, 19-21, 50123 

Website: www.luisaviaroma.com 

SHOPS 

LORENzO VILLORESI HOUSE 

VIP contact: Ilaria Guasco and Angela Banti 

Phone: +39 055 234 1187 

Email: info@lorenzovilloresi.it 

Address: Via de’ Bardi, 14 (4th floor), 50125 

Website: www.lorenzovilloresi.it 

Independent perfumer Lorenzo Villoresi opened 

his House in 1990. Located in his ancestral 

family home overlooking the River Arno, the 

beautiful Lorenzo Villoresi House can be 

visited by appointment. His travels throughout 

the Middle East have profoundly influenced 

Villoresi’s work, with the result that distinct 

accents of incense and sandalwood mingle 

with Tuscan laurels, olives and cypresses. 

Emblematic of Florence, the iris root is 

Villoresi’s most precious essence. Winner 

of the coveted François Coty award in 2006, 

Villoresi focuses on personalized perfumes and 

potpourris. In keeping with Florence’s artisanal 

traditions, Villorezi produces each fragrance 

manually using time-honored methods. For 

a truly bespoke fragrance book a private 

consultation with the perfumer himself. 


DeSTINATION GuIDe SerIeS 



Tornabuoni. Unique hand-crafted gold and 

leather goods can be found off the beaten 

track, hidden among Florence’s narrow 

side streets. Many of the goldsmiths who 

LORENzO VILLORESI HOUSE 

26 

line the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge 

still use traditional artisanal methods. 

For bespoke fragrances visit Lorenzo 

Villoresi’s renowned perfumery.


PINEIdER 

VIP contact and Personal Shopper contact: 

Nadia Burberi 

Phone: +39 055 284 656 

Email: pineider-signoria@pineider.com 

Address: Piazza della Signoria, 13-14r 

Website: www.pineider.com 

Offering a wide range of luxury artisanal 

paper, the Piazza della Signoria store opened 

opposite Michelangelo’s Statue of David in 

1774. Although David has since been relocated 

to the Accademia Gallery, the Pineider 

shop still stands and continues to offer an 

exquisite assortment of high quality leather 

goods, clothing, hand-crafted stationery, 

pens and watches, all made by artisans in 

Florence, France and Holland. Pineider was a 

favorite among the bourgeoisie for made-toorder 

visiting cards with their coats of arms 

engraved in gold. A family-owned business, 

Pineider still uses traditional methods 

and each item is endorsed with the official 

Pineider watermark. Pineider has produced 

bespoke items for the Savoy Royal family and 

most recently it was the official supplier for 

the 2009 G8 Summit. Charles Dickens, Lord 

Byron and Giacomo Leopardi have all used 

Pineider products. 

STEFANO RICCI 

Phone: +39 055 210 856 

Address: Palazzo Tornabuoni, 

Via De’ Pescioni 1, 50123 

www.stefanoricci.com 

Classic Italian tailoring at its best, Stefano 

Ricci offers refined clothing and accessories 

for the discriminating gentleman, as well as 

a coveted home ware range. All garments 

are handmade, with shirts cut from the 

finest Egyptian cotton and sewn together by 

expert craftsmen with 25 stitches per inch. 

The trademark cufflinks are handmade by 

master goldsmiths using solid gold, platinum, 

diamond and a host of semi-precious stones 

including blue topaz, rhodolite, onyx, Iolite, 

lapis lazuli, mother-of-pearl and enamel. 

The luxury leather range includes wallets, 

footwear, belts, travel bags and handbags 

for the perfect gift. True to the tradition of 

Florentine artisans, each leather item is cut 

from the skins by hand and the clasps and 

buckles individually crafted. For interior 

design, the Stefano Ricci Royal Suite 

Collection offers exquisite home products 

using select fabrics and fine china. 

SCUOLA dEL CUOIO 

VIP contact: Laura Gori & Tommaso Melani Gori 

Phone: +39 055 244 533/4 

Email: info@scuoladelcuoio.com 

Personal Shopper: Tommaso Melani Gori 

Address: Piazza Santa Croce, 

16 (through the Church of Santa Croce) and/or 

Via San Giuseppe, 5/r (through the garden that 

surrounds the Apse), 50122 

Website: www.scuoladelcuoio.com 

For one-of-a-kind exceptionally crafted leather 

accessories visit the Scuola del Cuoio leather 

school, located in Santa Croce monastery. 

Founded by the Gori and Casini families together 

with Franciscan monks, the school once offered 

apprenticeships to World War I orphans. Adorned 

with frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio, the Scuola 

del Cuoio has the atmosphere of a Renaissance 

workshop and customers can watch the artisans 

as they work. As a matter of principle, logos are 

never engraved on the leather, with the result 

that each piece is valued solely on the quality of 

its craftsmanship. Accessories are handmade 

using calfskin, deer, ostrich, alligator and 

python. Francesca Gori, daughter of the school’s 

founder, has a permanent collection of hand-cut 

and stitched, individually decorated, jeweled 

handbags. Audrey Hepburn, Steven Spielberg and 

President Eisenhower have all owned Scuola del 

Cuoio leather accessories. Book private lessons 

with a Scuola del Cuoio Master Craftsman and 

learn how to make your own accessory – from a 

leather journal cover to a pouch style handbag or 

monogrammed belt. 

FRANCESCA GORI HANdbAG, SCUOLA dEL CUOIO 



EMILIO PUCCI 

EMILIO PUCCI 

VIP contact: Monica Masi 

Phone: +39 055 265 8082 

Email: store_firenze@pucci.com 

Address: Via dei Tornabuoni, 20-22r 

Website: www.emiliopucci.com 

Florentine fashion designer and politician Emilio 

Pucci died in 1992 at the age of 78. Fortunately, 

the Pucci brand still retains his distinct style 

with its kaleidoscope of bright colors and bold 

patterned silks. The Florence store carries the 

full line of ready-to-wear, leather goods, shoes, 

sunglasses, fragrances and silk accessories. On 

the ground floor dresses, blouses and trousers 

are suspended from the ceiling in front of a 

luminous wall that showcases Pucci’s vivid 

color palette. The store’s interior is defined by 

minimalist curves and an understated white 

marble and glass staircase. Sophia Loren, 

Jackie Kennedy and Madonna have all worn 

Pucci, and Marilyn Monroe was famously buried 

in a green Pucci dress.


FASHION & AcceSSOrIeS 

AGENT PROVOCATEUR 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.agentprovocateur.com 

ALEXANdER MCQUEEN 


Website: www.alexandermcqueen.com 

ANYA HINdMARCH 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.anyahindmarch.com 

ARMANI COLLEzIONI 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.armani.com 

bALLY 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.bally.com 

bOTTEGA VENETA 

Phone: +39 055 284 735 

Address: Via Degli Strozzi, 6 Nero, 50123 

Website: www.bottegaveneta.com 

bRIONI 

Phone: +39 055 264 5458 

Address: Via de Rondinelli, 7, 50123 

Website: www.brioni.com 

bURbERRY 

Phone: +39 055 293 811 

Address: Via Tornabuoni, 29r, 50123 

LA RINASCENTE 


Website: www.burberry.com 

CACHAREL 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.cacharel.com 

CÉLINE 

Phone: +39 055 264 5521 

Address: Via de Tornabuoni, 24/26/28r, 50123 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.celine.com 

CESARE PACIOTTI 

Phone: +39 055 215 471 

Address: Via della Vigna Nuova, 14r 

Website: www.cesare-paciotti.com 

CHANEL 

Phone: +39 055 292 395 

Address: Piazza della Signoria, 10r, 50122 

Website: www.chanel.com 

CORNELIANI 

Phone: +39 055 265 4663 

Address: Via Calimala, 20/22, Rossi, 50123 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.corneliani.com 

dOLCE & GAbbANA 

Phone: +39 055 281 003 

Address: Via degli Strozzi, 12/18 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.dolcegabbana.com 

dIESEL 

Phone: +39 055 239 9963 

Address: Via Dei Lamberti, 13r, 50123 

Phone: +39 055 239 9951 

Address: Via Arte della Lana, 16r, 50123 

Website: www.diesel.com 

dIOR 

Phone: +39 055 266 911 

Address: Via Tornabuoni , 57-59, 50123 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.diorcouture.com 

dKNY 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.dkny.com 

EMILIO PUCCI 

Phone: +39 552 658 082 

Address: Via Dei Tornabuoni, 20-22r, 50123 

Website: www.emiliopucci.com 

EMPORIO ARMANI 

Phone: +39 055 284 315 

Address: Piazza Strozzi, 16r, 50123 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.emporioarmani.com 

ERMANNO SCERVINO 

Phone: +39 055 260 8714 

Address: Piazza Antinori, 10r, 50123 

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL FIRENzE 

Phone: +39 055 262 6586 


Website: www.ermannoscervino.it 



ERMENEGILdO zEGNA 

Phone: +39 055 264 254 

Address: Via Tornabuoni, 3r 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.zegna.com 

ETRO 

Phone: +39 055 267 0086 


Website: www.etro.it 

FENdI 

Phone: +39 055 212 305 

Address: Via Degli Strozzi, 21r 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.fendi.com 

FRATELLI ROSSETTI 

Phone: +39 055 216 656 

Address: Piaza Repubblica, 43-45, 50123 

Website: www.fratellirossetti.com 

GIORGIO ARMANI 

Phone: +39 055 219 041 

Address: Via Tornabuoni, 48r, 50123 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.armani.com 

GIVENCHY 


Website: www.givenchy.com 

GUCCI 

FLAGSHIP 

Phone: +39 055 264 011 

Address: Via Tornabuoni , 73r-81r, 50123 

bOUTIQUE 

Phone: +39 055 759 221 

Address: Via Roma, 32r, 50123 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.gucci.com 

HERMÈS 

Phone: +39 055 238 1004 

Address: Piazza degli Antinori, 6r, 50123 

Website: www.hermes.com 

HUGO bOSS 

Phone: +39 055 239 9176 

Address: Piazza Della Repubblica, 46r, 50123 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.hugoboss.com


HUSSEIN CHALAYAN 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.husseinchalayan.com 

JEAN PAUL GAULTIER 

LA RINASCENTE 


Website: www.jeanpaulgaultier.com 

JOHN RICHMONd 

LA RINASCENTE 


Website: www.johnrichmond.com 

KENzO 

LA RINASCENTE 


Website: www.kenzo.com 

LA PERLA 

GRIGIOPERLA 

Phone: +39 055 215 242 

Address: Via Strozzi, 24r 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.laperla.com 

LANVIN 

LA RINASCENTE 


Website: www.lanvin.com 

LORO PIANA 

Phone: +39 055 239 8688 


Website: www.loropiana.com 

LOUIS VUITTON 

Phone: +39 055 266 981 

Address: Piazza degli Strozzi, 1, 50123 

Website: www.louisvuitton.com 

MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.maisonmartinmargiela.com 

MALO 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.malo.it 

MARC JACObS 

LA RINASCENTE 


Website: www.marcjacobs.com 

MISSONI 

LA RINASCENTE 


Website: www.missoni.com 

MIU MIU 

Phone: +39 055 260 8931 

Address: Via Roma, 8r, 50123 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.miumiu.com 

MOSCHINO 

LA RINASCENTE 


Website: www.moschino.com 

NICOLE FARHI 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.nicolefarhi.com 

PAUL & JOE 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.paulandjoe.com 

PAUL SMITH 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.paulsmith.co.uk 



ANGELA CAPUTI 

POLLINI 

Phone: +39 055 288 672 

Address: Via Por Santa Maria, 42r 

Website: www.pollini.com 

PRAdA 

Phone: +39 055 283 439 

Address: Via Tornabuoni, 53r/67r, 50123 

Website: www.prada.com 

PRINGLE OF SCOTLANd 

MANHATTAN CASUAL dI TARALLO 

Phone: +39 055 704 884 

Address: Piazza Taddeo Gaddi, 23r, 50100 

LA RINASCENTE 


Website: www.pringlescotland.com 

PROENzA SCHOULER 


Website: www.proenzaschouler.com 

RAF SIMONS 


Website: www.rafsimons.com 

RALPH LAUREN 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.ralphlauren.com 

RICK OWENS 


Website: www.rickowens.eu 

RObERTO CAVALLI 

Phone: +39 055 239 6226 

Address: Via Tornabuoni, 83r 

LA RINASCENTE 


Website: www.robertocavalli.com 

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO 

Phone: +39 055 292 123 

Address: Via dei Tornabuoni, 4r- 14r, 50123 

bOUTIQUE 

Phone: +39 055 289 430 

Address: Museo S. Ferragamo, 

Via dei Tornabuoni, 2, 50123 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.ferragamo.com


LA RINASCENTE 

SERGIO ROSSI 

Phone: +39 055 284 631 

Address: Via Tornabuoni 35/37r 

Website: www.sergiorossi.com 

SONIA RYKIEL 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.soniarykiel.com 

TOd’S 

Phone: +39 055 219 423 

Address: Via Tornabuoni ,103r 

Website: www.tods.com 

TOMMY HILFIGER 

Phone: +39 552 741 041 

Piazza Degli Antinori 3D, 50100 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.tommy.com 

VALENTINO 

Phone: +39 055 293 142 

Address: Via dei Tosinghi, 52,r 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.valentino.com 

VANESSA bRUNO 

LA RINASCENTE 


Website: www.vanessabruno.com 

VERSACE 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.versace.com 

YVES SAINT LAURENT 

LA RINASCENTE 

Website: www.ysl.com 

JeWelry AND WATcHeS 

AUdEMARS PIGUET 

CASSETTI GIOIELLI 

Phone: +39 055 287 361 

Address: Ponte Vecchio, 54r, 50125 

GIOIELLERIA FRATELLI COPPINI 

Phone: +39 055 215 585 

Address: Via Della Vigna Nuova, 93/95r 

GIOIELLERIA UGO PICCINI 

Phone: +39 055 214 511 

Address: Via por Santa Maria, 9-11r, 50122 

Website: www.audemarspiguet.com 

bAUME & MERCIER 

ANCRE 

Phone: +39 055 294 005 

Address: Via Cavour, 110r, 50129 

PINzANI 

Phone: +39 055 600 308 

Address: Via della Roninella, 83r, 50135 

MARRETTI ALbERTO 

Phone: +39 055 215 603 

Address: Via Calzaiuoli, 86r, 50122 

Website: www.baume-et-mercier.com 

bREGUET 

MARRETTI ALbERTO 

Phone: +39 055 215 603 

Address: Via Calzaiuoli, 86r, 50122 

Website: www.breguet.com 



CHOPARd 

CHOPARd bOUTIQUE 

Phone: +39 055 267 0157 

Address: Via della Vigna Nuova 41/43r 

Website: www.chopard.com 

OMEGA 

ENRICO VERITÀ 1865 

Phone: +39 055 287 862 

Address: Via Dei Calzaiuoli, 122r, 50122 

FLORENCE GOLd CENTER SRL 

Phone: +39 055 216 348 

Address: Via Dell’Anguillara, 4r, 50122 

PICCINI UGO 

Phone: +39 055 214 511 

Address: Via Por Santa. Maria, 9/11 r, 50122 

Website: www.omegawatches.com 

VACHERON CONSTANTIN 

bARdUCCI bARdO E FIGLIO S.P.A. 

Phone: +39 055 230 2322 

Address: Via degi Strozzi, 22r, 50123 

GIOIELLERIA PICCINI UGO & FIGLIO S.P.A. 

Phone: + 39 055 214 511 

Address: Via Por Santa Maria ,7-11r, 50122 

Website: www.vacheronconstantin.com

Need to kNow Private jet termiNals/traNsPort 

Florence Airport has one terminal for 

both commercial and private flights. 

TAG BOLOGNA- GENERAL AVIATION 

TERMINAL- BOLOGNA AIRPORT 

VIP contact: Mr Sante Ghedini 

Phone: +39 051 641 8901/2 

Email: operations@tagblq.it 

Address: Via della Salute, 97, 40132, 

Bologna Airport 

Website: www.tagbologna.it 

TAG Bologna is a dedicated FBO located in the 

General Aviation Terminal at Bologna Airport. 

Full handling services are offered including 

exterior and interior cleaning, electrical ramp 

facilities, and a refueling point for JET A1s 

that supply fuel at 130 gallons per minute. 

The terminal boasts stylish Italian eco-friendly 

architecture, and there is a meeting room, 

VIP lounge and a separate crew lounge. 

A new 6,000 square foot hangar can recover 

aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 736. The 

apron is 14 square miles and has five parking 

places for long and short stays. TAG Bologna 

organizes limousine transfers to Florence 

on request. 

EXCLUSIVE TRANSPORT 

ZUZZINTUSCANY 

VIP contact: Alessandro Cecchi 

Phone: + 39 333 942 8655 

Email: alessandro@zuzzintuscany.com 

Address: Via del Chianti, 

9, 53036 Poggibonsi, Italy 

Website: www.zuzzintuscany.com 

Private concierge and event planner 

Zuzzintuscany offers fully escorted Ferrari 

and vintage car tours through the spectacular 

Tuscan countryside. The rolling hills and 

never-ending curves, which are characteristic 

of the region, ensure an exhilarating driving 

experience. On request, Zuzzintuscany 

will arrange activities along the way. 

Culinary connoisseurs will be enticed by 

the specialist-led truffle hunt and tasting 

accompanied by expert truffle-hunting dogs. 

Alternatively, soar gracefully above the 

beautiful hilltop city of San Gimignano in a 

shimmering hot air balloon. On August 16, 

2011 witness the colorful Il Palio horse race 

at Siena’s Piazza del Campo. 

Elite Traveler has also selected private 

jet terminals in Bologna and Rome that 

UNIVERSAL AVIATION ITALY-CIAMPINO AIRPORT 

VIP contact: Lorena Carraro, Managing Director 

Phone: +39 067 949 4495 

Email: italy@universalaviation.aero 

Address: General Aviation Terminal, Ciampino 

Airport, Rome, 00043 

Website: rome.universalaviation.aero 

Universal Aviation offers a 24-hour FBO 

service for private jets at Rome’s busy 

Ciampino airport, providing practical services 

and luxury facilities for elite and executive 

travelers. There is a full VIP meet and greet 

service and the stylish VIP lounge offers 

complimentary beverages and provides space 

for relaxation and leisure, while on-site 

caterers serve local and international gourmet 

cuisine. Experienced tour guides are available, 

and VIP protection and bodyguard services 

can be arranged. Universal Aviation can book 

private helicopter charters. Universal Aviation 

provides air and land transfer from Rome to 

Florence on request. Contact Laura Bertaso 

on +39 033 125 3003/+39 348 497 1795. 

FERRARI TOURS, ZUZZINTUSCANY 



can arrange transfers to Florence for 

your convenience. 

AIR ONE EXECUTIVE 

VIP contact: Fabrizio Liberatori, General Manager 

Phone: +39 067 909 09; +39 335 811 6666 

Email: executive@aoexe.it 

Address: Via Mameli, Hangar 109, Ciampino 

West Airport, 00043 Rome 

Website: www.aironeexecutive.it 

An exclusive private jet charter company 

offering exclusive tailor-made travel in elegantly 

appointed Cessna and Falcon jets, Air One 

Executive provides flight services across Italy 

and internationally, all in sophisticated, private 

luxury. Business travelers in particular will 

appreciate the efficiency and attention to detail 

with which travel arrangements are handled. 

This includes the provision of chauffeur-driven 

airport transfers to ensure smooth and stylish 

connections at every stage of your journey. 

Air One Executive’s jets can land at Florence 

Airport’s commercial terminal. Alternatively, Air 

One Executive will organize a charter to a private 

jet terminal in Rome followed by a limousine 

transfer to Florence.

Need to kNow exclusive traNsPort 

The best way to travel… 

BLUCAR SERVICE di Matteo Ghiozzi & C. S.a.s 

Mobile (24 hr): +39 348 385 9540 

Phone: +39 055 321 5217 

Email: info@blucarservice.it 

Address: Via delle Panche, 60/A, 50141 Florence 

Website: www.blucarservice.it 

Blucar Service leads the way in luxury transport in Italy, providing 

limousines and other chauffeur-driven vehicles for the world’s elite. 

Rely on Blucar Service to provide professional transportation either 

for a business trip or for moments when you just need to sit back 

and relax. Blucar Service offers you the very best in chauffeurdriven 

transport in Florence, Tuscany and Italy, with a good selection 

of executive vehicles to suit every need. With its vast experience, 

unrivalled fleet and professional drivers, Blucar Service is the perfect 

choice for your luxury transportation needs. 

Whether this is your first visit to magical Tuscany or your fiftieth, 

make this your most memorable trip yet by letting Blucar Service 

maximize your Tuscan experience. Native drivers will provide a unique 

perspective on the sights, sounds, tastes and scents of quaint Tuscan 

villages and bustling town centers. Travel under the Tuscan sun at your 

own pace, or allow Blucar Service’s bi-lingual, licensed and insured 

staff to provide a care-free trip for your business engagements, 

leaving you to focus on your work. 



Blucar Service: Advanced ground transportation service with 

efficient solutions 

• Airport & station shuttles • Corporate travel 

• Meetings & sport events • Road shows 

• Sightseeing tours • Shopping tours 

• Special events • Weddings 

• Day trips from marinas • Chauffeur services by the hour 

Blucar Service executive vehicles: 

• Mercedes-Benz S Class. S500 & S320 available as a long top 

luxury sedan. The ideal sedan for special occasions, business 

or leisure trips or simply a swift and stylish transfer. 

• Mercedes-Benz E Class. Full-size classic sedan. Elegance and 

comfort from the German manufacturer’s top models. 

• Mercedes-Benz Viano & Sprinter. Deluxe minivans for 

parties who wish to travel together while maintaining the 

same exceptional comfort, safety and spaciousness of luxury 

Mercedes sedan models.

Need to kNow useful iNformatioN 

WHEN BEST TO GO 

The best time to visit Florence is during spring 

and autumn when the weather is warm. Florence 

is hot, humid and crowded in July and August and 

many restaurants close during these months. 

Late October and November are mild but rainfall 

is high. Florence is quietest during the winter. 

ATTIRE 

Florentine dress is stylish and smart, even when 

dressing casually. Shorts are not commonly worn in 

the city and certainly not in churches. When visiting 

churches and cathedrals, women must cover bare 

arms and shoulders, and long trousers or skirts 

should be worn. Light clothes are advisable in spring 

and summer with a jacket for the cooler evenings. In 

autumn and winter, keep an umbrella to hand. 

TIME ZONE 

GMT +2 Daylight Saving (27.3.2011-29.10.2011) 

GMT +1 (30.10.2011-25.3.2012) 

TYPICAL OPENING HOURS 

Shops open from 9.30am-1pm 

and 3.30pm-7.30pm daily. 

LANGUAGE 

Italian; English widely spoken. 

CURRENCY 

Euro 

EXCHANGE RATE 

$1 = EUR 0.73 

£1 = EUR 1.17 

COUNTRY DIALLING CODE 

+39 

24-HOUR EMERGENCY CONTACT 

Ambulance: 118 

Fire services: 115 

Police: 113 

EMBASSY CONTACTS 

US: 

Phone: +39 055 266 951 

Address: Lungarno Vespucci, 38, 50123 

UK: 

Phone: + 39 055 284 133 

Address: Lungarno Corsini, 2, 50123 

POPULATION 

0.5 million 

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 

New Year’s Day 

Easter Monday 

Liberation Day 

Labor Day 

Christmas Day 

Boxing Day 



LOCAL CUSTOMS 

Sitting on steps and in courtyards in close 

proximity to public buildings is an offence in 

Florence. Eating and drinking in front of churches 

and cathedrals is also frowned upon and modest 

clothing that covers legs and shoulders, should 

always be worn inside religious buildings. 

Mean temperature ( o C) Total rainfall 

Month Daily minimum Daily maximum 

(mm) 

Number of rain 

days per month 

January 2 9 49 8 

February 2 10 54 8 

March 6 14 69 8 

April 8 18 74 8 

May 12 23 77 8 

June 16 28 68 7 

July 31 37 3 3 

August 18 31 48 4 

September 16 26 83 6 

October 12 20 101 8 

November 8 15 99 10 

December 3 9 70 10

FLORENCE - Elite Traveler

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