At Portrait Firenze, summer is a season to savour. From tranquil boat rides on the Arno to hidden hillside monasteries, the city becomes a stage for discovery. Among the highlights this season is a private boat tour on the Arno River. Offered exclusively to Portrait Firenze guests, this tranquil experience provides a rare chance to see Florence from a new angle, gliding past centuries-old façades and beneath the iconic Ponte Vecchio aboard a sleek, family-run launch. A chilled beverage in hand and the soft lull of the river create a moment of pure idyll in the heart of the city. As the sun begins to dip, guests are invited to enjoy an exclusive riverside aperitivo at a private club along the Arno.

This new summer ritual pairs Tuscan cicchetti with uninterrupted views of Florence’s golden hour for a serene start to the evening. Those seeking something more sensorial can explore a personalised perfume-making lab experience. Set in an intimate olfactory atelier, guests are guided through the process of creating their own fragrance using dozens of local essences, from sun-drenched citrus to Mediterranean herbs and Tuscan woods. Guests depart with a 100ml bottle and a custom formula - a fragrant reminder of summer in Florence.

For those drawn beyond the city, just 30 km from Florence, the Badia di Passignano rises like a memory from the hills. Founded in 890, this ancient Benedictine abbey, once home to Galileo himself, is a sanctuary of stone, silence and sacred heritage. The surrounding Chianti countryside invites hikes and contemplative walks among cypress groves, olive trees and vineyard-laced hills. Here, nature and history exist in dialogue.

Guests can also explore the great outdoors with curated bike tours organised in partnership with Rolling Dreamers. Designed for cycling enthusiasts and beginners alike, these itineraries combine fitness and discovery, supported by expert trainers, high-end equipment and tailored routes through Florence and the surrounding Tuscan countryside.

For golf aficionados, the historic Ugolino Golf Course offers an exceptional sporting experience. Designed in 1933 by English architects Blandford and Gannon, the course is one of Italy’s oldest and most beautiful. Nestled in Chiantigiana, it is regularly named among the world’s most scenic courses and is listed in Chris Santella’s ‘50 Places to Play Golf Before You Die’. Guests of Portrait Firenze benefit from priority tee times and special rates.

But what would summer be without gelato? Florence is home to some of the finest artisanal gelaterie in Italy, each a celebration of flavour. From the Sicilian-style granita at Carabè to the slow-churned wonders of Sbrino, La Sorbettiera, Badiani and Vivoli, these are places where ice cream is treated as an art form. Discover the creamy perfection of a semifreddo alla fedora or the lemon-zest brilliance of a crema like our nonna once made. Of course, no outdoor summer story in Florence is complete without the lush majesty of the Boboli Gardens. Once the private green playground of the Medici family, this 16th-century marvel is a world of sculptures, secret pathways and sweeping views. Wander beneath its centuries-old trees, discover its fountains and grottoes, and feel the hush of a world that seems to bloom just for you. And for those dreaming of more than one destination, the Portrait Duet offer allows guests to curate their own two-city Italian escape across the Portrait hotels in Florence, Milan and Rome. From a toast on the rooftop terrace of Portrait Roma to watching the sun dip behind the Ponte Vecchio from a river-view suite in Florence, each city offers a distinct chapter of an unforgettable summer journey. The Portrait Lifestyle Team is on hand to craft a personalised itinerary with handpicked local partners and experiences, making your time in Italy as effortless as it is extraordinary. Meet us at Portrait Firenze and reimagine summer as it was always meant to be lived, under open skies, rich with sensation, and utterly unforgettable.