The Pretty Area Of Florence Rick Steves Says To Visit For Untouristed Italian Experiences

With globally recognized works of art and architecture, Florence is among Italy's most beloved cities. However, with millions of visitors each year, there are some tourist traps to look out for. After checking out all of the must visit spots in Florence, try to make sure you are still getting an authentic Italian experience despite the crowds of tourists.

Always in search of such authentic experiences, travel guru Rick Steves found just that in Florence's Oltrarno district. In this part of the city, you'll "discover rustic, old Florence," Steves explains on his website. "Wander the back lanes and you'll find artisans practicing centuries-old crafts like picture framing, violin making, and more." You don't have to go far to get here, either. The Oltrarno district is close to popular Florentine destinations like Ponte Vecchio and Giardino di Boboli. This district can show you a little bit of everything Florence has to offer, from the opulence of the region's past rulers to quintessential Florentine cuisine all in one walkable part of the city.

Florence is an art lover's paradise. In fact, some of Rick Steves' absolute favorite works of art in Europe are in Florence. Of course there is Michelangelo's David at Galleria dell'Accademia, but Palazzo Pitti in Oltrarno is an amazing art destination too. This massive palace once belonged to members of the Medici family, a dynasty that presided over the greater Tuscany area from the mid-1400s through the early 1700s. Aside from paintings by the likes of Raphael and Caravaggio, you can also see the lavish living spaces of the Medici family, their Habsburg-Lorraine successors, and royals from the House of Savoy who took over the region after the Habsburg-Lorraine family. Elsewhere in the museum, you can see glamorous examples of fashion throughout the past few centuries and the Habsburg-Lorraine family's chapel with walls adorned in detailed frescoes.

Palazzo Pitti is next to the Giardino di Boboli. Wander through these gardens to find fountains and Renaissance-era statues galore. The three ruling families who once occupied Palazzo Pitti also each presided over the design of these gardens. Giardino di Boboli inspired other fairytale-like garden designs all over Europe as well.

When in Oltrarno, Rick Steves recommends sampling local Chianina beef, a breed of cow native to Tuscany. The beef is often served with extra-virgin olive oil on top and paired with Chianti wine, which also originates in Tuscany. Steves ordered a cut at Antico Ristoro di Cambi just around the corner from Porta di San Frediano, a tall 14th century tower marking a former entrance gate to the city.

As you wander the city, look for artists at work and their locally made items. From ornate picture frames at Franceschi Cornici to jewelry at Argentiere Pagliai, the maze of streets in Oltrarno will have something at every turn and is free from the mass factory production of large department stores. This is especially true on Borgo S. Jacopo street which runs between Ponte Vecchio and Ponte Santa Trinita. Finish an amazing day of dining and shopping by relaxing in Piazza del Carmine outside of Cappella Brancacci or strolling through the Brancacci Art Gallery, also at this piazza.