Depending where you’re going too in Italy, there are specific foods you’ll want to look out for that are famous for good reason! I lived abroad for a semester and during my time living in Florence, Italy, I was fortunate enough to travel the country. What is travel for if not to eat! Cuisine is one of my favorite aspects of traveling as most people do, and Italy has some of the best cuisine in the world! 

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy for a whole semester. The ambiance of the city was different then than it is now; I lived there from January through April of 2022. In the wake of covid, the city was being reborn into the popular destination it was before 2020. 

I lived in the Santo Spirito neighborhood with a magnificent view from my bedroom window of the Basilica of Santo Spirito. My American brain could barely comprehend how old it was. 

The city of Florence is truly a masterpiece. Even in my four months living there I couldn’t experience all of the beauty. It is a renaissance city full of culture, art, food, and breathtaking architecture. The city has truly something for everyone but it is a once in a lifetime experience you should definitely build into your trip! 

During my time there I learned that beneath the tourist areas, within the side streets was this friendly bubbling city full of vibrancy and love for life. Italians live by something called the dolce far niente which means the sweetness of doing nothing, this is an aspect of culture and day to day life I recognized. There isn’t fast food, and eating while you walk to class or work is something only the students from America would do. It’s rare for something to open before 9, and people aren’t in a rush in the same way as in the US. This is another thing for you Explorers to know if visiting Florence, it’s a study abroad city. If you’re an American like me you won’t ever feel like you’re alone in this city, especially nightlife. 

The real attraction is in the history of the city itself. In the heart of Tuscany, the beautiful scene of Florence paints a picture of a city frozen in time and full of art. 

Why Florence? 

Florence in itself is a very convenient trip if you plan to go to Italy on your European journey. Just a quick hour and thirty minutes on a train from Rome and about two hours from Milan, this stop along the way you wont regret. Along with its convenience, unlike other European cities, you won’t have to go far to find something interesting. As soon as you enter Florence, with the remnants of the old city walls hovering over you, you immediately feel as though you’ve been transported through time. The uneven cobblestone streets as well as the historic and beautiful churches on every corner solidifies this point even further. From every hill around the city you’re faced with (in my opinion) the most stunning skyline in the world. 

The architecture is breathtaking. There are countless churches, government buildings, and historic roman structures; after our tours we’d all complain about neck aches because we were mesmerized with the structure of the city.​​ The main attraction in Florence is the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower, or Cattedrale Di Santa Maria Del Fiore, is the famous Duomo that is covered with history and iconography. To say it’s beautiful wouldn’t do it justice. The architect Filippo Brunelleschi achieved an architectural feat with its completion in 1436, because of the dome size of the main cathedral. It was the biggest in the entire world until the Astrodome was completed in Texas, USA many years later. As well as the architectural beauty, the facade of the cathedral is something I could analyze for hours. This is a must see on any tour of Florence. 

The Uffizi is another must see, as well due to its magnificent structure. Inside is one of the most beautiful art museums in Europe (it challenges the Louvre for the best). The Uffizi is home to many great works of art such as La Primavera, Bacchus, Medusa, The Annunciation, and (my personal favorite) Judith Slaying Holofernes. 

Students living in Florence can get a cheap pass for the Uffizi as well as the astonishing Boboli gardens! This is why the city of Florence encourages the learning of the culture. 

The food and wine of course cannot be described in any way to convey their true form, perfection. Florence differs from Rome mainly in cuisine. Florence features exclusively Italian food whereas Rome has a more diverse food scene. Many restaurants in Florence also have a certain way about them that gives a different vibe than those of Rome. Florence is most famous for its Florentine steak, but my personal favorite is a traditional carbonara. Explorers, when I tell you I hadn’t lived until my first week in Italy at a restaurant I can’t remember, eating carbonara with a  table of new friends, I mean it. This experience was so memorable for me. The wine in Florence is perfect. In Tuscany, an international brand called Chianti produces wine in only this region of Italy and it can be found throughout the world. The wine is full of history and culture older than medieval times. A Tuscan wine tour is a must see on your trip. 

The wine, culture, food, and general beauty is the reason Florence is a city near and dear to my heart. If you ever get to visit I urge you too. The city itself can get on the pricier side but as long as you’re mindful of it you will be able to have a wonderful experience and get all of the incredible memories. Have fun exploring!