Let me show you the Florence I love.
I have spent years looking at Florence as an artist. I am interested in the things that are not necessarily in the guidebooks: shopfronts, signs, architecture, objects, colours, cars, food, people and the small details that make the city feel like itself.
Now you can spend a day - or two - with me, exploring the city of Florence through observation, conversation, drawing, great good and the places that have become part of my own relationship with Florence.
This is not a tour, and I dislike crowds. Each experience is only available in the late Autumn through Winter and early Spring. We do not have a fixed itinerary, it is a relaxed day together at our own pace.
I might take you to a gallery or a specialist store to show you interesting pieces of Italian design, introduce you to somewhere I've become fond of, or simply stop because I've noticed something worth looking at. We will pick up a coffee and delicious foodie treats at a pasticceria and share lunch. I will also give you a sketchbook and coloured pencils and suggest we sketch to create a lasting memory of your visit.
The day, or two, is about seeing Florence — together.
"I will show you the Florence I know and love. We will walk, talk, sketch, eat great food and look at whatever catches our attention."
Teddy McDonald
HOW IT WORKS
Before we meet, I will talk to you about what interests you, what you may already seen in Florence and what you would like to get from the experience.
From there, I will put together a loose plan, leaving plenty of room for the day to take its own course.
I might introduce you to some of the people I've come to know, take you somewhere that means something to me, or show you details of the city that I think are easy to miss.
Importantly, you do not need to be an artist, and you do not need to know how to draw.
I am interested in looking rather than drawing perfectly. I will give you a beautiful Fabriano sketchbook and coloured pencils and we will use them to record the things that catch our attention, you can draw or simply take notes.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Coffee and a pastry somewhere I like.
Walking through parts of Florence I return to again and again.
Looking at Italian architecture and design.
Visiting a gallery, studio or exhibition.
Drawing or taking notes together.
Lunch somewhere I've chosen.
Talking about art, Italy, creativity, collecting, food, cars, people — or whatever the conversation happens to become.
Most importantly, I want the day to feel natural.
I want you to feel as though you've spent a day exploring Florence with a friend who happens to be an artist.
AVAILABILITY
I deliberately keep these experiences limited and prefer to host them outside of peak season, ideally Autumn, Winter or early Spring, when the skies remain blue but, the footfall and pace of life is quieter and the streets are more cultured by the presence of locals.
I take a maximum of two guests at any one time. That might be one person travelling alone, or a couple travelling together.
One Day - approx 6 hrs - £2,500* for one or two people
Two Days - £4,500* for one or two people
Two days are ideal if you would like more time in the city. We can have dinner at the end of the first day or second day, re-visit favourite locations, get immersed in a particular exhibition or delve deeper into the more local areas of the city.
Prices include food and any entry tickets required. The cost of travel and accommodation is not included, but I am happy to suggest places to stay. Florence airport is notoriously affected by the weather, so depending on available time I often fly into Milan or Bologna and take the high-speed Frecciarossa, which offers excellent private compartments and one-to-one Executive Class. [Milan - Florence 1hr 50, Bologna - Florence 37mins].
*TERMS
Travel to Italy and accommodation is arranged independently and not included in the quoted prices. My fee covers the experience only. If required, I can recommend hotels and assist with bookings on the understanding they are made in your name subject to the venue's terms and conditions.
Due to logistics and the bespoke nature of each encounter, I cannot offer refunds and full payment is required at the time of booking. In the unlikely I have to cancel, you will receive a full refund within 7 days of me informing of the cancellation.
