So I am going to start off by saying that Florence is definitely my favorite Italian city. It was romantic and super comfortable and warm and fun and beautiful and I was so happy the entire time I was here (it MAY have had SOMETHING to do with the fact that my newly budding relationship with Steven was heating up in this city – but maybe also the beauty and excitement of the city is what led to the heat?? This whole 30 day trip in Europe was a cutesy love story for me, because how can you not be swept away in places like these, even as someone who is normally opposed to being swept away? Western Europe is romantic AS HECK).
On your next trip to Europe, whether you’re on your own, with your friends, or with your honey babe, do not miss an excursion to this delightful city in the region of Tuscany.
What to Do
Shop in the open air markets
One of my favorite things about this city – its markets. I JUST LOVE PERUSING THESE 
THINGS. I spent one of my afternoons here under the ruthless Italian sun sweeping up and down to find the perfect leather goods – Florence is known for its leather; we also went to a leather shop and learned about the process of making goods and how to tell if a leather item is genuine. I got a souvenir for my dear Italian-descended mother, who has wanted to see Italy for eons, as well as a 25€ purse that I have used every day since (2016 – still using that little baby). I would suggest getting something engraved with this coat of arms, the crest of Florence, for a perfectly specific thing by which to remember this Tuscan city.
Clubbing!
There are some quality nightlife options in both Italy and Spain that is more clubby than some other places I have visited. We went to Space Electronic Discoteca for a night and for someone who is repelled by the club scene in general, I was enjoying the hell out of myself and at one point came back into my body and realized I was standing at the bar, alone, taking a tequila shot, alone (NO, COLLEGE-ROBIN, YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO FOLLOW ME ACROSS THE ATLANTIC). Easy to get rowdy. As a rule I have put into place for myself, I like to stay away from getting drunk while traveling in general, but I had lots of friends with me in this scenario, and I had a fun experience while getting to meet some younger locals.
Take a day trip to a winery for wine tasting
This is Tuscany – a region known for its wineries. You’d be doing yourself a disservice if you didn’t take a couple hours out of your day to visit the countryside and taste some authentic Italian wines. Check this post about the winery that we went to!
Visit Palazzo Vecchio
Palazza Vecchio is the city’s town hall and a medieval architectural marvel. You can go up in the tower, or you can take a tour through the building to visit all the secret rooms and learn about life as a wealthy and powerful Florentine resident.
What to Eat
Gusta Pizza
VERY highly rated pizza place in Florence with some of the best pizza in the country (which is impressive because hello? This is Italy. There is so much pizza here that I thought I’d leave the country and never be able to look at pizza again, but I still fall into pizza’s comforting embrace on the regular, like tonight for instance. However, any pizza in Italy is infinitely better than a frozen pizza from a box).
Lunch overlooking the Arno River
The Arno River, running through Florence, is one of the most beautiful parts of the city, in my personal opinion. Stop at one of the many restaurants along the river, and try to get a seat by the window to enjoy the water winking back at you as you wink at your gorgeous and delicious meal (I love food; it’s okay, I have accepted myself for me).
Gelato
If you don’t know by now that you need to be eating gelato in Italy…there is no help for you, you crazy person.
What to See
Piazza del Duomo
Unmissable. One of the most iconic and unique buildings in all of Western Europe. And it is absolutely stunning in person; it literally took my breath away…I’ve never seen anything like it! Go inside because the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore is really something to see both inside and outside, and climb up into the dome (the duomo) which is the largest brick dome ever constructed, no big deal. There is a beautiful view of the city waiting to be beheld from up in the dome. I think this complex is one of my favorites that I have ever seen!
David
I don’t believe in censorship so here is David in all his glory, as Michelangelo meant for him to be enjoyed 😉 . Florence is known as the birthplace of the Renaissance era as one of the wealthiest medieval cities, so this kind of sculpture art is not only located in the Galleria dell’Accademia with the handsome David here, but it is all over the city, notably in Piazza della Signoria. The originals are as a general rule kept in the museums for preservation, while copies are strewn across the Piazza as a tribute to various Italian artists.
Ponte Vecchio
Yes, Ponte Vecchio is an ideal, albeit crowded, place to buy souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones, as the bridge is unique for having several shops along it – something that was once common in Florence. However, I think it is also just a really exciting spot to park yourself and look out over the river and bridge – they don’t make sights like this in America.
Piazza della Repubblica
This lovely square marks the center of the city since Roman times…so it is likely that you will find yourself here at some point, and what a lucky little regazzo or regazza you will be! It is a gathering place for artists and performers; the celebration of art and huge arches across the buildings make this a very classic Florentine gathering spot!
I genuinely adored this city, my favorite of all Italian cities (thus far; I can’t rule out those that I have not had the pleasure of visiting yet, of course). I know that it is for sure my favorite because as I recall being here and the feelings I felt, I am filled with a sense of nostalgia and an eagerness to remember and experience more and more than I already have (always journal your trips, because otherwise you feel like an idiot and have to zoom in on your pictures and squint to try to figure out where exactly you were when you snapped that shot. I have zoomed in up to 800% on pictures to try to see menus of restaurants I was impressed with just so that I can try to find out the restaurant name from the couple of letters I can decifer…UGH). After the time in Florence, we moved onto south of France and then Spain, so this was my last chance to stuff as much pizza, pasta, and Italian wine down my gullet as humanly possible! What a special country, the country that was once home to half of my ancestors. I am glad I got to spend a week understanding more about where I came from, all while making incredible memories and seeing incredible places.
italygrid
