Florence has a way of drawing people closer. Its beauty unfolds slowly, in sun-warmed stone and candlelit tables, in gallery rooms that quiet the mind and streets that invite wandering without agenda. For a girls’ getaway, the city offers something rare: a place where art, ritual, indulgence, and conversation exist in perfect balance, encouraging connection as much as discovery.
This weekend in Florence is shaped not by urgency, but by rhythm. Mornings begin with masterpieces and shared awe, afternoons drift through gardens, workshops, and historic scents, and evenings rise above the rooftops with aperitivo and long, lingering dinners. Anchored in the historic centre, the experience blends Florence’s most iconic moments with its everyday pleasures—an elegant, unhurried escape designed for friends to celebrate, reconnect, and mark International Women’s Day in a city that has inspired centuries of creative women before them.
Day one: art, beauty and first impressions
The weekend begins with Florence’s great artistic icons. A morning at the Uffizi Gallery or the Accademia sets the tone, offering immersion in Renaissance masterpieces before the city fully wakes up. From here, the pace softens with a walk across the Arno towards Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens, where terraces, fountains and sculpted greenery invite slow exploration and conversation.
Beauty and ritual follow naturally. A visit to Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella feels like stepping into another century, with frescoed rooms, marble counters and shelves lined with botanical remedies and historic fragrances. It is both a cultural stop and a moment of indulgence, perfectly suited to a celebratory weekend.
As afternoon light fades, the climb to Piazzale Michelangelo delivers one of Florence’s most cinematic views. The city stretches out in terracotta and stone, a reminder of why Florence continues to inspire artists and travellers alike. From here, the evening naturally moves to Angel Roofbar, which crowns the experience atop Hotel Calimala. Aperitivo and dinner unfold against sweeping rooftop views, including a striking perspective over the Torre di Arnolfo at Palazzo Vecchio. With sunset light, cocktails and a lively yet refined atmosphere, Angel becomes a ritual in itself, an effortless setting to toast friendship and mark Women’s Day as the city lights begin to glow.
Day two: artisans, shopping and wine windows
The second day is devoted to discovery. The Oltrarno district, centred around Santo Spirito, reveals a quieter, more creative Florence. Here, artisan workshops, leather studios and independent boutiques line the streets, many offering small group workshops that allow visitors to engage directly with the city’s craft traditions. Via dei Serragli and Via Maggio are ideal for antiques, vintage finds and one-of-a-kind pieces.
Lunch unfolds casually at Mercato Centrale or in a traditional trattoria such as Dalla Lola, followed by coffee at historic institutions such as Caffè Gilli or Procacci. Between stops, Florence’s wine windows add a playful note to the day, with glasses of local wine passed through tiny openings in palace walls.
As evening approaches, returning to the historic centre sets the scene for a relaxed dinner at MEZE, the restaurant at Hotel Calimala Florence. MEZE is designed for sharing, with vibrant small plates and seasonal ingredients that encourage long, unhurried dinners. The atmosphere is lively yet intimate, making it an ideal spot to gather after a day of exploring, with wine, conversation and the ease of staying right in the heart of the city.
Where to stay
At the heart of the experience is Hotel Calimala Florence, a design-led boutique hotel set within a historic palazzo, just steps from the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria. Its central location allows friends to move effortlessly between galleries, gardens, shopping streets and evening plans, while still feeling immersed in the everyday rhythm of Florence.
The interiors, designed by architect Alex Meitlis, blend contemporary elegance with the building’s original character. Warm tones, sculptural lighting and curated artworks create a welcoming, social atmosphere that feels particularly suited to friends travelling together. The hotel balances intimacy with energy, offering spaces to retreat as well as areas designed for gathering.
The hotel unfolds across two distinct wings, West and East, which reflect Florence’s dialogue between heritage and modernity. One side leans into the building’s historic character, while the other introduces a more contemporary language, creating a subtle contrast that runs throughout the interiors. Designed by architect Alex Meitlis, the spaces balance architectural restraint with warmth, using art, texture and light to shape an environment that feels both thoughtful and inviting.
Art and design are woven into the hotel’s identity rather than treated as decoration, with curated works and bespoke details giving each space its own personality. The atmosphere is sociable yet intimate, particularly suited to friends travelling together, offering corners to retreat to as well as spaces designed for gathering.
With MEZE’s dining and Angels’ Rooftop experiences housed within the hotel, Calimala naturally brings together culture, food, views and staying under one roof. It offers an easy, seamless base for a celebratory weekend, blending ancient and modern Florence into a single experience that feels ideal for marking International Women’s Day with friends.
