It was January 2023. My friend and neighbor Paul Ellington was about to embark on a six-city tour of Italy with his Duke Ellington Orchestra. My business partner and friend Glenn just learned he was getting divorced, and the company that acquired Level 11 just shit canned me. We needed a change of scenery and a platform to create some positive experiences and new memories. Off to Florence.

Dinner at Frescobaldi

Upon arriving in Florence, I learned that Francesco arranged dinner at Ristorante Frescobaldi Firenze, the Frescobaldi family restaurant, one of Italy’s oldest winemakers. Mr. Frescobaldi himself hosted us and gave a great overview of his family’s history and winemaking. Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi produces Gorgona, a unique wine made in collaboration with inmates on Gorgona Island, an open agricultural penal colony in the Tuscan Archipelago of Italy.

Walking Firenze

Italy · Florence · Dinner near Piazza della Signoria

Italy · Florence · Hotel Spa

Glenn and I stayed at Helvetia Bristol, an excellent hotel in central Florence. It was an old mansion and was built over an ancient grotto.

Italy · Florence · Piazza Santa Trinita & the Uffizi Arcade

Italy · Florence · Ponte Vecchio

Italy · Florence · Palazzo Pitti

Glenn and I set off on foot across town to visit the Palazzo Pitti. The Palazzo Pitti, sometimes called the Pitti Palace in English, is a vast, mainly Renaissance-style palace in Florence, Italy. It is situated on the south side of the River Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio

Italy · Florence · Boboli Gardens

Italy · Florence · Along the Arno

Italy · Florence · Piazza della Signoria

Italy · Florence · Evening Jazz Concert

That night we attending Paul’s show and were joined by Francesco and friends.

Italy · Florence · Evening Out

Italy · Florence · Duomo

Italy · Florence · Galleria dell’Accademia

Italy · Florence · Streets Around the Duomo

Italy · Florence · Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is overwhelming and would take several days to see it all. We had art fatigue.

I loved the map room.

Italy · Florence · Lunch near the Duomo

Buca Lapi

Francesco took Glenn and me to a bistek restaurant he has been going to for years.

Italy · Florence · Duomo & Piazza della Repubblica at Night

Italy · Florence · Evening Out

Italy · Florence · Duomo & Lunch

Italy · Florence · Via de’ Tornabuoni

I took Glenn to the original Gucci and conducted a lesson on proper shopping.

Italy · Florence · Palazzo Vecchio

Italy · Florence · Duomo & Brunelleschi’s Dome

Italy · Florence · Hotel Lounge

Italy · Florence · Ponte Vecchio & Old Town Streets

Italy · Florence · Lunch

Italy · Florence · Shopping

Claris Firenze

My friend Walter, the sommelier at the Four Seasons, took me to Claris Firenze, a lovely, small restaurant and wine bar.

Italy · Florence · Brunch

Italy · Florence · Piazza della Repubblica

Italy · Florence · Lunch

Italy · Florence · Duomo

Italy · Florence · San Lorenzo & Mercato Centrale

Italy · Florence · Santa Maria Novella Station

Photo Montage

Thanks for traveling with TheHad🩵