About Us - Visit Florence.com

VisitFlorence is an independent travel guide created and run by a small team based in Florence. We have been sharing our knowledge about the city — and about Tuscany as a whole — since 2002.

Our project actually started even earlier: Lourdes first came to Florence in 1997 as a study–abroad student and never really left. Over the years, her curiosity and love for Italy grew into a full-time commitment to helping travelers understand this unique city. Together with Stefano, born and raised in Tuscany, we began building the guides that would eventually become the VisitFlorence and DiscoverTuscany network.

What We Do

We explore Florence and Tuscany, write about the places we visit, share practical tips, answer questions on our “Ask the Locals” forum, and publish articles aimed at helping travelers plan meaningful, stress-free trips. Everything we write is based on direct experience — from major museums and landmarks to small neighborhoods, local events, and everyday life in the city.

Our Editorial Approach

We believe travel information should be honest, practical, and grounded in real life. That’s why we aim to:

• write mainly about places and experiences we have personally visited or tried;
• update our guides regularly to keep information as accurate as possible;
• prioritize clarity and usefulness over marketing or trends;
• maintain full editorial independence.

We do our best to keep all details updated, but Florence is a lively, ever-changing city — and we are human. Opening times, ticket prices, and event dates can change unexpectedly, so we always recommend double-checking important information through official sources.

Why You Can Trust Us

We live here. We raise our family here. We experience Florence both as locals and as curious explorers.

For more than two decades, travelers have used our guides because we offer something increasingly rare online: first-hand experience, not recycled content. Most of the photos on this website were taken during our own walks, visits, and bike rides. The stories and suggestions come from real life — not from AI-generated lists or second-hand descriptions.

The People Behind VisitFlorence

Lourdes

Originally from California, Lourdes moved to Florence in 1997 and has called it home ever since. She is the editor-in-chief of our guides and manages much of our content and traveler support on the forum. She loves exploring museums, neighborhoods, and cafés — often through the eyes of a parent — always looking for practical insights that might help our readers.

Stefano

Born into a family from Florence and Siena, and later a university student in Pisa, Stefano is deeply rooted in Tuscany. He handles the digital and technical side of our websites, contributes articles, and photographs much of what you see on VisitFlorence — often while riding through the Tuscan hills on his bike.

A Note of Thanks

Over the years, several friends and local contributors have helped enrich our guides. We especially thank Cristina for her important contribution in the early years of the project.

Our Network

• DiscoverTuscany.com — region-wide guide with itineraries, tips, and insights;
• Chianti.com — focused on the Chianti wine region between Florence and Siena;
• TuscanyAccommodation.com — lodging guide featuring selected properties and direct-booking options.

How We Support the Website

Some of the links on our website are affiliate links. If you book a service through them, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. These commissions help us keep our guides free and updated, but they never influence our recommendations. We write only about places and experiences we genuinely believe are worth sharing.

Get in Touch

If you have questions while planning your trip, the best place to ask is our forum:

→ Ask the Locals – Discover Tuscany Forum

For other matters, you can contact us by email:
Email: info@visitflorence.com