First time in Florence: must try&do

You guys know how much I love traveling, especially when it’s our yearly anniversary trip. Florence was one of the reasons the country of my choice was Italy. Again 🙂 Ever since we went to Rome and Naples last year, I knew I wanted to come back. Florence was something magical and easily became our “must visit” destination. We stayed here for 3 days and made a quick one day trip to see the leaning tower of Pisa. Despite the fact that we didn’t spend much time in Florence, and it is one of the most crowded cities in Italy, it was almost too easy to fall in love with this unique charming place. So, today I’ll talk details!

ACCOMMODATION
I always try to be honest and avoid sugarcoating my posts. I started writing the blog to share with the travelers like you the truth behind the perfect adventures. So, here is what you have to remember about Florence in summer: it’s really hot. Even for somebody who comes from Austin, TX. That being said, you have to make sure there is A/C no matter where yo stay. We booked a place through Airbnb with no A/C but a good working fan, and were forced to leave it and look for a hotel room because it was way too hot to stay there. We ended up in B&B Hotel Firenze City Center with a gorgeous view and good A/C.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:
– A/C is a must in the room;
– comfortable shoes will make your daily 15 miles walks more enjoyable;
– you will need a scarf to cover your head/shoulders/legs if you’re hoping to visit basilicas.

WHERE TO EAT?

• If I had to pick one place to eat in Florence, it would be a food market. Mercato Centrale Firenze is our absolute favorite spot to find the best produce (speaking from both vegetarian and meat-eater points of view). There are so many delicious Italian dishes to try there – from famous Panino con Lampredotto to variety of pasta in the small pasta shop o the first floor, Caprese salad, Italian wines, gelatos and even cannoli from a tiny cannoli stand. The market is the ultimate destination for foodies. I would highly recommend it for lunch and even dinner. Just remember to always bring cash.
  Other than that, Florence is a gem when it comes to coffee shops and bars for Aperitivo.
  
  BREAKFAST
  Here are a few of my favorite places to have traditional Italian breakfast (pastries + coffee):Mo’Si caffeteria alla vecchia maniera (absolute winner for cornetti con crema)
• Ghibellina Forno Pasticceria Bakery (in Florence since 1890)
• Bar Pasticceria Piccioli
• La Loggia degli Albizi
  
  APERITIVO
  We haven’t made it to many places since we really liked Mercato Centrale Firenze but here a few good options for you:
• Il Rifrullo
• Cabiria
• Kitsch

THINGS TO DO:

• Piazza Della Signoria
• Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore)
• Piazzale Michelangelo
• Galleria Degli Uffizi
• Mercato Centrale Firenze
• Galleria dell’Accademia
• Giardina di Boboli (it will require some serious hiking, so don’t forget about comfortable shoes and a lot of water)
• Palazzo Pitti
• The Ponte Vecchio (grab some produce and a bottle of wine and treat yourself to dinner while watching the sunset)
• The Bargello
• Palazzo Vecchio
• Medici Chapel
• San Marco Museum
• Giotto’s Bell Tower

I hope you’ll fall in love with Florence the way we did! And, don’t forget: explore more! It will fascinate you how much more you can see only if you allow yourself to wander around Firenze.

XX,
Gena.