For centuries considered the cradle of Italian civilization and the culture of the Bel Paese, Florence is still one of the most visited cities by tourists who fly private availing themselves of a jet.
Served by an airport that, despite its small size, allows travelers to have access to the exclusive services and premium privileges designed for those flying by private jet to Florence, the Tuscan capital offers an extraordinary amount of monuments, historic buildings and glamorous events not to be missed.
Among the latter it is worth mentioning the Florence Biennale, a universal exhibition of contemporary art composed of the presence of sculptures, photographs, installations, paintings, calligraphy, drawings and performances that charter passengers can also admire up close thanks to the transfer services made available to them.
There are many gourmet restaurants in which to taste the famous Florentine steak or homemade Tuscan pasta, just as there are many events organized by Pitti Immagine aimed at lovers of high fashion and dominated by fashion shows in unusual locations.
Shopaholics can give way to their shopping cravings thanks to the many shopping streets in the beating heart of Florence, which, with its perfect blend of modernity and history, manages to attract more and more tourists who arrive there by chartering a private jet.
But enough of the preamble and let's throw ourselves headlong into describing the reasons why a private flight is a great travel option for getting to Florence!
Historical and geographical background on Florence
Florence is located within a very large valley at the southern end of the Florence-Prato-Pistoia plain, on the slopes of several hills belonging to the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine mountain range. The Tuscan capital is entirely traversed by the Arno River, which also divides some of its neighborhoods by the tributary of smaller waterways such as the Mugnone or the Greve. Given its strategic location abutting northern Italy, Florence played a crucial role in the Italian and European economies for very long years; however, the very first population to settle in its territory was the Etruscans. Their rule, however, lasted only a few years as the Roman Empire easily subjugated them during colonization campaigns; after the fall of the Empire, Florence was subjected to invasion by the Byzantines and Goths, before the Lombards took possession in medieval times. Thanks to the conquest led by Charlemagne, Florence slowly began to become a thriving commercial hub while allying itself with Pisa, which provided it with riverboats to use for the exchange of goods, and with Siena, a very important city for transactions with the Holy See. Between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the Florentines gave their hearts in the struggle between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, factions that fought to decide who should hold power in Italy; the civil battles, of course, weakened the city quite a bit, which only rose again when it was able to conquer Pisa and become a maritime power of excellence. For a few years following the Congress of Vienna, Florence became the capital of the Kingdom of Italy and the seat of the nation's Parliament. Although World War II heavily damaged the city, Florence rose again stronger than before, becoming one of the most important tourist destinations in the entire Peninsula.
What to do and see in Florence
Florence Biennial
One of the most important events that can attract internationally prominent celebrities and VIP personalities is the Florence Biennale, a highly anticipated event dedicated to contemporary art that is totally self-funded. Artists from all over the world have the opportunity to exhibit their works that are the result of intense work during the year while trying to win the prestigious "Lorenzo the Magnificent" award, a lifetime achievement award aimed at artists who have managed to exalt themselves and stand out above others in the field of design or art. Artistic expressions featured in the event include photography, video and digital art, painting, sculpture, works on paper, as well as various contemporary installations. VIPs may have access to the event through Passes dedicated to them, private backstage access, and airport transfers by limousine.
Pitti Immagine fashion shows
Wealthy tourists and fashion lovers cannot miss the events devised by Pitti Immagine, an organization with a multicultural and ever-evolving history. This is a series of occasions related to the artistic sphere that are based on fashion shows of the highest fashion held in unmissable and completely original locations, from Stazione Leopolda to Villa Vittoria, passing through the Palazzo degli Affari, Fortezza da Basso, Palazzo Vecchio, Cinema Odeon and Ponte Vecchio, as well as the city's high fashion boutiques. Over the years, the exhibitions and cultural activities organized by Pitti Immagine have featured such celebrities as Gianni Versace, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Dolce & Gabbana, to name a few. VIPs who go there to witness the most innovative fashion shows are each time enraptured by the originality and charm that the kermis offers to members of the elite class.
The surroundings of Florence
The airport serving Florence and allowing private jet chartering also allows VIP passengers to visit the hinterland of the Tuscan capital in which Siena, a beautiful town and home of the famous Palio, one of Italy's most important events, certainly stands out. Sites of historical and artistic interest abound in the city, from the Palazzo Pubblico with its famous tower from which to enjoy a marvelous view, to the Piazza del Campo, via the Duomo and the historic center full of historic buildings and squares. Also worth mentioning is San Gimignano, a very pretty little town famous throughout the world for its towers in which the great aristocratic Tuscan families flaunted all their wealth to the rest of the population. A number of Renaissance works of art belonging to Michelangelo and Donatello can be spotted in the city, not to mention the tower of the Palazzo Pubblico from which to admire the beautiful surrounding hillside landscape. Finally, Volterra, a small town that was once an important Etruscan city-state that still amazes with the archaeological beauty contained within it, also deserves honorable mention. Not only that, Volterra has also been the main setting for several film and television works that have enhanced its fame; basically, it is a very quiet and private location ideal for VIPs looking for some privacy and relaxation.
Climate and best time to visit Florence
The climate in Florence is subtropical characterized by a very high percentage of humidity that makes summers hot and winters very cold. The spring season is characterized by all-too-pleasant temperatures settling around 20°C, with moderate but still limited frequency of rainfall that allows for outdoor activities. In summer, humid heat takes over, raising temperatures as high as 35°C (95°F) during the hottest days; the weather only cools down from October, a time when tree foliage begins to fall, offering picturesque glimpses of the city. The Florentine winter is very harsh due to temperatures that can drop below freezing rather frequently; snow is quite rare but snowy days can happen. The best time to charter a private jet to Florence is definitely late spring since the temperatures are pleasant and the tourist turnout is not so high.
How and why to fly by private jet in Florence
Florence Airport (ICAO code LIRQ), also known as Amerigo Vespucci Airport, was inaugurated in the late 1930s; since then, it has undergone expansion and improvement works that have resulted in the construction of a new terminal and a longer runway. Thanks to this, scheduled flights can be joined by private flights with which VIP passengers can reach the Tuscan capital from any location. Those who charter a private jet, in fact, have access to a very large VIP area called the Masaccio Room, located on the second floor of the terminal dedicated to general aviation and equipped with several food outlets, bars, stores of all kinds, and conference rooms with free WiFi and special equipment. The city center is only 6 km from the airport, a distance that passengers on private flights can cover through car rental services with or without a driver or, alternatively, through limousine service to enjoy decidedly high levels of comfort.
How much does it cost to fly on a private jet to Florence
One of the most important routes operated to and from Florence connects it to Paris Le Bourget Airport, which is about 1 hour and 50 minutes away; given the small size in terms of length and width of the runway at the Florentine airport, it is only possible to rent a Light Jet or a Medium Jet at respective costs of about €11,000 and €18,000. Among the most frequently operated routes is the one that connects the Tuscan capital to Ibiza, a tourist destination incredibly selected by private flight passengers; in this regard, the rental of a Light Jet is available at a price of about €10,000, while that of a Medium Jet sees the required amount rise to about €19,000. In the range of the total 3-hour flight time is one of the ordinary routes taken to get to Florence, which departs from Berlin Brandenburg Airport; the trip in question costs about €11,000 by chartering a Light Jet and about €20,000 if you opt for a Medium Jet.
The best jet to fly to Florence
The Embraer Phenom 300, inaugurated in 2010 and part of the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer's extensive fleet, is one of the highest performing light jets ever. The aircraft cabin can accommodate up to a maximum of 8 members, offering them maximum comfort with reclining seats, sofas, side tables and an extremely spacious luggage compartment. The maximum range of the aircraft reaches as much as 3,500 kilometers, while the jet's maximum achievable speed is close to 800 kilometers per hour, making it perfect for making medium-haul routes. Among the Medium Jets, it is worth mentioning the Learjet 60, an aircraft that offers outstanding performance in terms of cruising speed, range, cabin width and comfort made available to the 7 accommodating passengers. Its capabilities allow it to reach an altitude of 43,000 feet in about 14 minutes, reaching close to 850 km/h once at cruising altitude. The range it enjoys on a single full tank of fuel allows the jet to travel about 5,000 kilometers, more than enough distance to reach Florence from quite distant locations. The cabin is equipped with comfortable seats, highly refined furniture and sofas on which to relax and admire the beautiful view from above.
The most frequent flights to and from Florence
Below of the most frequent links to Florence:
