Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1175260
NORTHSHOREMAG.COM 36 OCTOBER 2019 CONTACT lungarnocollection.com Another must-see is the city 's Duomo. The Gothic structure was built beginning in 1297 on the 7th-century site of the church of Santa Reparata, which can still be seen below the cathedral in the crypt. The final building took almost two centuries to complete, with its famous dome being constructed in the 15th century. The exterior walls are covered in pink, white, and green marble. Within the building are elaborate mosaic floors. Perhaps the most magnificent artwork is the dome's Last Judgment by Giorgio Vasari, painted in 1572. After a day of exploring the city, I head back to the hotel for a stellar gastronomic adventure at Michelin-starred Borgo San Jacopo. Chef Claudio Mengoni designs inventive modern Italian dishes for an elegant dining experience, and the wine list has over 900 labels. (If weather permits, you can enjoy a romantic dinner on the terrace overlooking the Arno.) The dining room's décor is as beautiful as the dish presentations. Crisp white tablecloths and sophisticated surroundings twinkling in candlelight complete this fabulous meal. To get the full experience of the hotel collection, I also tour the Hotel Continentale. Elegant and inviting, its white color palette evokes harmony, simplicity, and fantasy, and it is the most playful of the collection. Topped with a rooftop bar, this the place to see and be seen when the weather warms. Then I head to Portrait Firenze to check in. A new concept in bespoke tourism, Portrait has taken uniform luxury and turned it into a very personalized experience for each guest. The hotel is an all-suite property overlooking the Arno where the most discerning traveler can find an exclusive, pampered stay. The rooms are gray with accents of black and gold, creating the ultimate sophisticated backdrop. Black-and-white photos of iconic stars adorn walls and desks. There is no lobby, but rather a comfortable lounge decorated in stylish mid- century modern furnishings made in Florence. A welcoming portrait of the Ferragamo's daughter, Fiamma Ferragamo, hangs in the space. A member of the hotel's lifestyle team provides personal touches to your stay and will customize tours for you. I venture out on a Tuk Tuk (basically a motorized ricksaw) tour of the city that passes over historic bridges, through winding back streets, around the city's original Roman and Byzantine wall, and up into the surrounding hills for a bird's-eye view of Florence. This is a perfect way to get an overview of the city and cover a lot of ground. The next day I venture out for a window- shopping odyssey. Florence is truly the place to see the latest fashions; head to Via Tornabuoni and its exclusive boutiques. A must-stop for those with a shoe obsession is, of course, Salvatore Ferragamo, where you can browse the archives of this iconic shoe designer and recreate shoes worn by Judy Garland, Greta Garbo, or Audrey Hepburn. The shop, which opened in 1937, is located in a medieval palace and caters to the world's elite. Stop into the Ferragamo Museum for a tour of the Golden Age of Hollywood glamour. After a day of shopping (I score a beautiful emerald green satin slip dress) and taking in the history and beauty of this ancient city, I have clocked 10 miles according to my iPhone. I am sad to leave this magical place— and perhaps my favorite European city—but vow to one day return to fall in love with Firenze all over again. Top to bottom, Portrait Ponte Vecchi Suite, Portrait Point, A view of the Ponte Vecchio Bridge PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE LUNGARNO COLLECTION FAC E S + P L AC E S