Tuscan Treasures: The Ultimate Weekend with WorldStrides | WorldStrides

HE Worldstrides.com:

Come on a weekend excursion organized by WorldStrides to Florence, Italy, with me! We experience the Cradle of the Renaissance and have a chance to dine in the peaceful Chianti wine region.

Low-angle view of the Florence Cathedral showing the colorful marble facade, rose window, and Giotto's Campanile in the background on a sunny day.

Directionless in the streets after we had got off the train, our cohort turned a corner and was suddenly beholding one of the most legendary buildings in the world: the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore!

Narrow street in Florence with 'Ristorante' signs

We all scattered and wandered around the streets surrounding La Piazza del Duomo which were so powerful and filled with history and life—and some of the best pasta I’ve ever had.

An ornate carousel with colorful horses in a European city square.

We made it a mission to see the city’s famous carousel, where my friends and I took a spin and enjoyed the live music in the square!

A sunlit colonnade in Florence, Italy, with people walking through.

WorldStrides organized a guided tour of the Uffizi Gallery, and the riverside view along the way was stunning! On every corner, our tour guide would give us insights into the rich history of the streets around us.

The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli, depicting Venus standing on a scallop shell, blown to shore by Zephyr and a nymph, as another nymph waits with a cloak.

As we wove through the gallery-turned-museum of the legendary Medici family, we landed in front of Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus (a lifelong dream, I must say). We learned all about the revolution that this painting was at the time.

Interior view of the Tribune within the Uffizi Gallery, Florence, displaying sculptures and Renaissance paintings.

The Tribuna of the Uffizi was the center of the Medici’s collection—a room we could not even step into. You could certainly feel the grandeur and legend of the room radiating.

Ponte Vecchio at sunset, Florence, Italy

The most stunning look out onto The Ponte Vecchio, and we caught it at sunset! Great end to day one.

A partially finished Michelangelo sculpture dominates the foreground within the Galleria dell'Accademia, Florence. The background features a blurred David and gallery visitors.

Our second day started with a quick entry into The Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze, where David is framed by the unfinished works of Michelangelo, The Prisoners.

Michelangelo's David statue in a museum, surrounded by a crowd of people.

Photos truly cannot do David justice, but I can certainly say that the powerful story of the piece and the history it represents was felt by all of us.

A gallery in the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art filled with plaster casts of classical sculptures and paintings. Visitors are admiring the artworks.

Adjacent to David was a long gallery lined with busts, statues, and paintings. To gaze upon the faces of history and regard them today is humbling and eye-opening together.

A terracotta bust of a woman with a veiled head and floral crown, displayed on a shelf with other busts in a museum or gallery setting.

One face stood out among the rest to me, however. Who was she?

A view of the Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence, Italy, with its shops and buildings lining the river.

The rest of the day was spent wandering the intimate streets again, with views incomparable to anywhere else in the world!

A man interacts with the Il Porcellino boar statue in Florence, Italy, as people gather around.

Near the bustling leather market, you can find Il Porcellino! If you rub his snout, you’ll return to Florence one day. Then, place your coin into his mouth and let it fall into the grate below. If it lands in the water, you’ve earned some good luck!

A picturesque view of a narrow street in Florence, Italy, showcasing the city's architectural charm.

Every street you turn down in Florence speaks to the city’s legendary history—this was just the walk back to our hotel!

A stone building with green shutters and a balcony under a cloudy sky.

On our final day, we began the journey back to Rome, but with a detour into Tuscan wine country for a tour of Castello di Verrazzano!

A stone building with green shutters and a balcony under a cloudy sky.

A tranquil garden pond reflecting the cloudy sky and surrounding greenery.

The Castle of Verrazzano in Chianti has over 1000 years of history, from ancient settlements to winemaking traditions, the birthplace of explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, and a functioning winery today!

A tranquil garden pond reflecting the cloudy sky and surrounding greenery.

Scenic view of the Tuscan countryside with blooming almond trees.

A beautiful tasting, meal, and weekend with an absolutely stunning view on the way out!

Scenic view of the Tuscan countryside with blooming almond trees.

Ciara M.

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