Inspiring Art Destinations: Florence, Italy

From the watercolor deserts of New Mexico to the unfathomable architecture of Florence to the crystalline waters of Tahiti, the world around us has inspired countless works of literature and fine art. In this series, we take a closer look at five inspiring destinations the world over with histories steeped in art and literature.

Florence, Italy

"Open my heart and you will see, Graved inside it, ‘Italy.’" –Robert Browning

“While visiting Florence, you must immerse yourself in the art and culture so much so that you become one with it,” says Emrikson.

Fueled by the wealth of the influential Medici family, the art and innovation that flourished in the city during the 15th century sparked the birth of the Italian Renaissance.

Here, names such as Donatello, Dante and Michelangelo come to life to create “a place whose charm and splendid past have remained unaltered,” says Ruggeo Vannini, head concierge at Rocco Forte Hotel Savoy. “With its extraordinarily beautiful churches, its museums and art collections, historic gardens, piazzas, streets and ancient palaces, Florence is an ‘open-air museum.’ Not simply a container for art works, but a work of art in its own right.”

This article is an excerpt from the July, August, September edition of the Traveler magazine. Click here to access the full issue.