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🩵