Robbos World

When most people arrive in Florence, they instantly think of grand monuments, famous galleries and endless queues surrounding the magnificent Duomo.

And yes, Florence delivers all of that in spectacular fashion, but what I quickly realised is that the real magic of Florence often lies hidden behind tiny wooden doors, tucked away down quiet cobbled streets and inside workshops where centuries-old traditions are still alive today.

To truly discover Florence, you need to step away from the traditional tourist trails and journey into the heart of the Oltrarno district — a place where craftsmanship, creativity and history still shape everyday life.

This became a memorable day for me, doing and seeing the unexpected of Florence on my Italian adventures, as we walked through the narrow streets of Oltrarno, it really did feel like stepping back through time, the amazing jewellers shops on the Ponte Vecchio bridge which was built in 1345, the small shops initially belonged to butchers and fishmongers until 1593, then Grand Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici ordered them to be replaced exclusively by goldsmiths and jewellers to eliminate the foul odors near the royal family’s private walkway just a few steps on, and there is where you find the real hidden gems, the small artisan workshops quietly creating masterpieces by hand for the people who still appreciate true craftsmanship and the beauty of tradition.

One unexpected experience on my day in Florence, was a visiting a lovely old gift shop, to discover the world of Florentine paper marbling.

It was amazing watching how this master art is still carried out each day, it was really mesmerising, as you can see my pictures above, this traditional 17th-century technique, using colours were carefully floated and swirled across a gelatinous liquid before sheets of paper were gently laid across the surface, transferring intricate patterns in seconds, its like watching the colours having a little dance and twist in front of your eyes, just before its becomes a beautiful sheet of wrapping paper right in front of your eyes.

This is something special, and not what you expect to see these fine arts still being used, its only when you walk the back streets, and know the right people with these contacts and knowledge in each city to make a city break exciting with a few unexpected visits.

And the best part? Only moments later, these handmade creations were ready to buy, each one completely unique jusy for you.

It amazes me, and admire the patience, precision and artistry involved in these arts, especially in a world of mass production and machine-made products, seeing something crafted entirely by hand suddenly feels incredibly rare and valuable.

Then came the leather workshop and college, visiting the famous Scuola del Cuoio — Florence’s historic leather school, but you quickley find this place is far more than simply a leather workshop.

Scuola del Cuoio was founded after World War II, the school originally gave war orphans the opportunity to learn a practical trade and build a future for themselves. Knowing the story behind it made the experience even more powerful, watching artisans carefully handcraft leather goods using traditional methods passed down through generations was fascinating.

I’ve got to say, the smell of the leather, and the incredible attention to detail showed exactly why Italian craftsmanship remains world famous in leather.

What also hit me, was how these workshops have been creating goods for royalty, nobility and society for centuries, these aren’t simply souvenir shops, they are living pieces of Florentine history, which many never see or know off..

And this is exactly why travel should go beyond ticking off famous landmarks.

Travel creates so mant exciting stories, as we learn more about traditions, and people behind a destination is what truly creates unforgettable memories.

After a day immersed in craftsmanship, history and creativity, there was only one thing left to do…Lunch above the rooftops of Florence overlooking the magnificent Duomo itself.

And wow… what a moment.

Sitting high above the city with a glass of wine in hand, gazing across the terracotta rooftops towards one of the most iconic skylines in the world, it suddenly hits you why Florence continues to capture hearts generation after generation.

This wasn’t just sightseeing.
This was experiencing the soul of Florence.

And honestly, it reminded me once again why the greatest adventures often happen when you wander beyond the guidebooks and discover the hidden stories waiting behind the next doorway.

Learn more aboout my travel adventures ian@eclusivetravel.holiday