Chiostro dello Scalzo, Florence

The Italians have a saying, “Natale con i tuoi, e Pasqua con chi vuoi!”… Spend Christmas with your family and Easter with whoever you like! In Florence over the Easter weekend? You’re in luck! You can spend Easter and “Pasquetta”, the day after Easter, which whoever you like at some of the most beautiful and interesting places Florence has to offer. MiBAC (the Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali) will sponsor the extraordinary opening of a wide selection of state-owned sites. Museums, Archeological Sites and Medici Villas will fling open their doors to welcome you!

Cenacolo di Sant'Apollonia, Florence

You’ll have the chance to see some of Florence’s many cenacoli, or Last Suppers, at Sant’Apollonia, San Marco and Santa Croce – fitting for the occasion, no? How about a peek at the seldom visited but always fascinating Chiostro dello Scalzo, or Cloister of the Barefoot Guy, which features what are considered to be Andrea del Sarto’s crowning achievment – a cycle of frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Saint  John the Baptist. Seeing these precious works would be reason enough to make it to Florence, on Easter weekend or any other time of the year!

So don’t spend the whole weekend chomping on chocolate bunnies! Break up your day with a visit or two to some of these unforgettable places. If you’re not in Florence now but are planning on coming, why not put some of these places on your list of must-see’s? Give me a shout – I’ll be glad to take you and give you the inside skinny tour!