Florence art and wine walking tour

You will start your informative and entertaining walk from one of the oldest medieval squares, Santa Maria Novella with the stunning marble Renaissance facade of the church belonging to the Dominican friars. Even beyond the ancient name of Santa Maria Novella Church, formerly called “Santa Maria inter Vines” (Saint Mary among the vines) you will start understanding how much art, architecture and wine are stricly intertwined in Florence. Close to the church you will discover the traditional natural scents and liquors produced by the friars at the pharmacy of Santa Maria Novella, probably the oldest in world, with the beautiful 14th Century frescoes inside the Acciaioli chapel.

The walk will continue in the heart of Florence, Piazza della Repubblica, walking along Via delle Belle Donne and stopping at an ancient walled “cantina” (cellar). The importance of wine in Florence’s everyday life is expressed by street names which intimately relate with vines (vigna): Via Vinegia, Via della Vigna Nuova, Via della Vigna Vecchia, Via della Pergola. Florence is considered nowadays one of the great wine capitals, along with Bordeaux, Cape Town, Porto, San Francisco, which all share the historical prestige of the wines produced in their area. Going along the Renaissance palaces in Via Tornabuoni we will stop at a local wine bar for a first glass of wine.

With few steps we will be at Piazza del Duomo where you can admire Brunelleschi’s Dome and the 5th Century Baptistery, before entering the enchanted alleys of Florence. Here we will mix with locals having their snack at traditional peddlers selling a very typical Florentine food: trippa and lampredotto, sandwiches stuffed with tasty stewed tripe (optional tasting for the braves!). Nearby there is the tiny Piazza S. Elisabetta with its ancient tower house, typical private residence built during the Middle Ages.

Our walk will end at a welcoming enoteca (wine bar) where you will taste three top Tuscan wines: Chianti Classico, Nobile di Montepulciano and Brunello di Montalcino. A professional wine expert will share the secrets for deeply appreciating the wines and place them in the context of the Renaissance banquets where the local San Giovese grape variety was king. SALUTE !