Florence for The Slow Weekenders: a Friday-to-Monday weekend
The Renaissance, still within walking distance of lunch.
The weekend as rest. A hotel worth staying in, a hammam or a thermal bath, one unhurried sight each day, lunches that run into the afternoon, and early nights.
Friday: Unpack and unwind
- Piazza Santo Spirito
Settle on a café terrace in the Oltrarno's main square with a spritz and watch the evening arrive; the church facade is the backdrop.
- Osteria Santo Spirito
A calm supper on the square: crostini, a bowl of pici and an early night in the Oltrarno.
Saturday: The slow day
- Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Firenze
A treatment and the pool in a walled Renaissance garden palazzo, open to non-guests who book a massage; nobody rushes you out.
- Trattoria Cammillo
A long lunch of tortelli, roast and a good half-litre of Chianti, with a short walk home to nap.
- Giardino Bardini
One sight today: a terraced garden above the river, a wisteria walkway and the best view of the Duomo; take the benches slowly.
Sunday: Boboli and a long table
- Giardino di Boboli
Wander the garden's terraces and fountains at a gentle pace; the amphitheatre lawn is the place to sit down.
- Trattoria Omero
A long hillside Sunday lunch in Arcetri with a terrace; the Tuscan roasts and ribollita deserve the full two hours.
Monday: A quiet leave-taking
- Basilica di Santa Maria Novella
Masaccio's Trinity and the green cloister are best on a Monday morning before the tour groups arrive and the station is near.
- Trattoria Mario
A shared-table lunch of pasta and roast before the train, cash only, and finished by 14:00.