This post is super sentimental for me because one year ago exactly I was in this beautiful city with my family and decided that is where I wanted to study abroad. Its iconic architecture, rich history, insane art collection, its love for fashion, and delicious food… it is seriously unparalleled. Not to even mention Tuscany! I just immediately knew I wanted to spend more time in this lovely city.
When coronavirus hit my study abroad plans were no longer so definite. I was supposed to be departing for Florence in a little over a month for the whole semester but was recently told all study abroad plans must be put on hold. As devastated as myself and many of my classmates are, we are still hoping to be able to go in the spring semester!
So today I am going to share my favorites from my few days in Florence last summer and continue praying that I can go in January! I am in love with this city!
If you’re looking to stay a while…
My family stayed at the Four Seasons in Florence. I truly only have positive things to say about this hotel. It is absolutely stunning – the lobby, the bar, the rooms… everything! It is so classically decorated and really matches the feel of the city. Very luxurious and fabulous!
From the street you would never know how far back the property of the hotel actually goes. Behind the hotel there are sprawling grounds with gardens, pools, and outdoor restaurant seating. I feel like this is super unusual for hotels in cities! It was really nice to go hang out back there after long days exploring the city.
If you’re looking for a bite to eat…
The one restaurant I MUST rave to you about is La Giostra. I actually asked my grandbig who studied abroad in Florence for some recommendations and this was #1 on her list. Funny enough, my family already had a reservation here!
If you’re going to Florence, you must eat here. It has the most surreal ambiance with low wooden ceilings, twinkly lights, and lots of family pictures! This place is the real deal. Get the burrata and melon and the wild boar Bolognese, you will not be disappointed.
If you’re looking for something to do…
Piazza del Duomo
The first thing you should probably do is go see the Piazza del Duomo. Grab a gelato and just take in its beauty. The amount of detail on this building is really unbelievable. It’s honestly hard to take it all in. And to think that it was built in the 11th century without any modern technology… its mind blowing.
Go see the Arno River by foot or by boat tour! My family did a gondola-style tour down the river. They served us Prosecco and it was a very informative and beautiful ride down the river! I definitely recommend it 🙂
Tuscany
If you’re in Florence you have to also go see Tuscany. Even if you just rent a car and drive around just to see the beautiful rolling hills and vineyards, it is worth your time.
We actually went to a vineyard and ate lunch there and tasted lots of delicious wine! The vineyard we went to was in the town of San Gimignano, there are thousands of vineyards to pick from in this area and I am sure they are all amazing.
Another thing we did in Tuscany, on a different afternoon actually, was we took a private cooking class! I loved this because it was out of a sweet Italian woman’s personal home. She taught us how to cook authentic risotto and gelato! It was really interesting to do this because we got a feel for what life as a local in Tuscany is like. I will never forget she told us she had a wild boar come through her backyard and shake her pear tree to get some pears down!
After all, Tuscany is the land of wine and food!
Go see iconic works of art. The Accademia Gallery is home to the very famous David statue but there are so many art galleries worth your time in Florence. I would also suggest going to the Uffizi Gallery (Botticelli’s Birth of Venus lives there!) As an art history minor, these artworks were so cool to see in person!
Last but least take some time on your own to explore. There are so many streets just like this one. You feel like you’re going back in time or living in a a movie. As you walk through these windy little roads you’ll smell fresh bread, gelato, and pasta… what more could you want?!
Hopefully, I will be able to experience studying in this beautiful-beyond-belief city. But I am grateful right now that my family is healthy and that I am able to go back to Wake in August to continue my studies.
Thank you for reading 🙂 And below I’ve linked some pieces in the outfits I wore throughout Florence and Tuscany! The striped yellow one shoulder dress is on sale for just $30 right now!
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If you want to read more of my dreaming of travel guides:
