There’s nothing quite like planning a trip to Italy with visions of sunny piazzas and leisurely walks through Florence…only to wake up to pouring rain. Fortunately, it only rained one day during my trip to Florence—but when it rained, it poured. I’ve somehow developed a habit of encountering rainy days on my travels (Tokyo and Paris, I’m looking at you), so I’ve become pretty good at finding ways to enjoy a city when the weather refuses to cooperate. And Florence is actually a pretty easy city to enjoy in the rain. I spent my rainy day exploring places like the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo, with strategic café stops thrown…

I recently stayed at the St. Regis Florence to celebrate a milestone birthday, and if you’re looking for a truly luxurious place to stay in Florence, it’s hard to imagine a more beautiful setting. Housed in a historic palazzo overlooking the Arno River, the St. Regis combines old-world Florentine elegance with modern luxury. And yes, the property is every bit as gorgeous as you’d expect from the photos. But is the St. Regis Florence worth the splurge? And what is it actually like to stay there? After my stay, I’m sharing my honest take on the rooms (beautiful), location (ideal), service (top notch), amenities (thoughtful), and the little things I…