CITY STORIESFLORENCE WITH DELFINA PINARDI

Delfina Pinardi, co-founder of BLAZÉ Milano, shares her personal Florence: a city where extraordinary artistic and historical legacy blends with an authentic, intimate pace of life. For her, it embodies the perfect balance of culture, nature, and community, where grandeur and simplicity coexist in everyday life.

For Delfina Pinardi, co-founder of BLAZÉ Milano, Florence is more than a city—it is a living masterpiece. Few places in the world can claim such a concentration of genius: from Leonardo da Vinci and Dante to the Medici, Machiavelli, Brunelleschi, Galileo, and Giotto. Their legacy continues to define a city that helped shape the course of human history. After years spent between the world's fashion capitals, Delfina returned to Tuscany. Florence offered her the perfect balance: the slower rhythm and beauty of a smaller city combined with easy access to Milan and Rome, where BLAZÉ Milano has its headquarters.

“What makes Florence so special it’s its effortless mix of culture, nature, and community. You can spend the morning at a local farmers' market, visit a gallery in the afternoon, and be surrounded by Tuscan countryside within minutes. Despite its intimate scale, the city remains remarkably international, attracting creative and curious minds from around the world."

A HIDDEN SPOT

"When friends visit me for the first time, I take them to Palazzo Guadagni in Santo Spirito for an aperitivo overlooking Piazza Santo Spirito. Less crowded than many of Florence's famous landmarks, the square captures the city's authentic spirit, with its morning flower market and lively local scene in the evenings.”

Is there a hidden spot you think visitors often overlook?
“I prefer to keep it secret. In a city already overflowing with visitors, some places deserve to remain in local hands.”

24 HOURS IN FLORENCE

If someone had just 24 hours in Florence, what is one experience they absolutely shouldn’t miss?
“If time is limited, I recommend experiencing two very different sides of Florence. The first is brunch at the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, set within the spectacular Giardino della Gherardesca, a historic garden filled with ancient trees and hidden sculptures. The second is lunch at Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio, where Florence reveals its most authentic self through local food, traditions, and everyday life.”

Together, these experiences reflect what Pinardi loves most about Florence: a city where grandeur and simplicity coexist, and where history remains a living part of everyday life.

Eat & Drink

FLORET SAN NICCOLÒ
A stylish café in one of Florence's most picturesque districts, loved for its excellent brunch, specialty coffee, and relaxed atmosphere.
Via di San Niccolò 81R, Florence
ATELIER DE’ NERLI
A beautifully curated space that celebrates contemporary design and Florentine craftsmanship.
Piazza de’ Nerli 8/9R, Florence
OSTERIA DELLE TRE PANCHE
An elegant Tuscan restaurant renowned for its truffle-focused dishes and refined take on regional cuisine.
Via Antonio Magliabechi 9, Florence.
DALLA LOLA
A lively neighborhood favorite offering great food, natural wines, and a warm, authentic Florentine atmosphere.
Via della Chiesa 16R, Florence

PALAZZO GUADAGNI
One of Florence's most atmospheric aperitivo spots, with a panoramic terrace overlooking Piazza Santo Spirito and views across the city's rooftops.
Piazza Santo Spirito 9, Florence.
IL SANTINO
A beloved local wine bar known for its intimate setting, excellent selection of wines, and simple yet outstanding Tuscan bites.
Via Santo Spirito 60R, Florence.

BETTY SOLDI STUDIO

The studio of renowned calligrapher and artist Betty Soldi, offering immersive workshops that celebrate the art of handwriting, creativity, and mindful expression. For Delfina, this place holds a particularly special meaning: while searching for a calligraphy course, she discovered Betty and was immediately inspired by her extraordinary talent. Betty collaborates with some of the world’s leading brands and organizations, yet her work extends far beyond calligraphy—spanning illustration, design, storytelling, and creative direction.

Via dei Serragli 234R, Florence.

Culture & Design

TEATRO DEL SALE
A uniquely Florentine experience combining food, culture, and live performance in a vibrant, convivial setting created by the Cibrèo family.
Via dei Macci 111R, Florence
GIUNTI ODEON
A stunning cultural venue where a historic cinema meets a curated bookstore, hosting films, talks, and events in one of Florence's most beautiful interiors.
Piazza degli Strozzi 2, Florence
INBODHI YOGA FIRENZE
The studio, founded by Michele Barocchi in Florence, is a welcoming yoga and wellness space dedicated to mindful movement, personal growth, and community connection.
Via del Pignone 28/A, Florence

Wellness & Shopping

V_ROOM STUDIO
A contemporary wellness space offering reformer Pilates and movement classes in a beautifully designed, inspiring environment.
Via dei Serragli 234R, Florence
FIORILE
A beautifully curated boutique offering a refined selection of homeware, gifts, fragrances, and lifestyle objects. The perfect stop for discovering elegant pieces that reflect Florence's timeless sense of beauty and craftsmanship.
Via Santo Spirito 26R, Florence
HEART TO HEART
A destination for vintage lovers, known for its Friulane collection and carefully sourced unique finds. Eclectic yet sophisticated, it embodies Florence's effortless blend of style and individuality.
Via Santo Spirito 54R, Florence