Things I’ve Done
Cooking Classes
I am continuing to love my cooking class except for two things: the lack of air conditioning in a room with multiple stoves on, and the midterms. The exams aren’t hard, just not very fun. It has to be a real class somehow right?
This week we cooked ground beef and chicken skewers, spaghetti cooked in tomato juice, and zucchini risotto. The skewers were incredible, I was drooling as we were making them. Honestly, I’d make every single meal again.
Basilica di San Lorenzo
After class I popped into Basilica di San Lorenzo because I had some extra time before lunch and I was astonished. This was the Medici family’s cathedral. I wandered around listening to my Christian music playlist and took it all in. It was a special moment for sure.
School of Leather
Alexis and I had another lunch date and then explored the school of leather in the afternoon. You can see artisans hand making the leather briefly and then head to the giftshop. If you want to watch them in more detail you probably have to pay for a tour. The purses were extraordinary and were in glass cases without a price tag. Go figures. I bought a $3 bookmark instead.
Habana 500
This was the most fulfilling night I’ve had in Italy. Habana 500 is an outdoor venue with latin music and drinks alongside the river. It just so happened to be hosting dance lessons on the night we were there so we all immediately joined in. Emily and I were all about it and just kept dancing around foolishly even when the lessons stopped. So many people thought our energy was contagious and danced with us.
This is how we became friends with a local who comes every week, Michela. She was hilarious and so full of life. An old couple kept smiling and giggling at us so I reached out and spun the woman, and in return she spun me. It was so pure.
We also met the dance instructor but couldn’t speak the same language so we signed a heart with our hands to show our appreciation. Then she introduced us to her son who could translate for us and recommended bars in the area. Seriously, I was grinning from ear to ear the whole time. I was in my element dancing and meeting all of the locals.
Gucci Garden
The Gucci Garden Museum was so interactive and fun. The way the exhibits were put together was pure artistic genius. Best part is, it is only $4 for students!
Toured Palazzo Vecchio
Palazzo Vecchio is famous for many things, one of which is being home to Duke Cosimo I de’ Medici. Now, it is where the city hosts town hall meetings. The castle is so stunning and rich of history.
Night Photography
I broke out my tripod to capture long exposure shots of the sunset over the river. Then, I continued to walk around the city photographing the night lights, moving carousel and street performers. It was so much fun tinkering with my camera and having a moment to myself.
Oldest Pharmacy in Florence
The oldest pharmacy in Florence now is a beautiful perfume store so I went to check it out! I honestly didn’t like any of the scents because they were so strong and musky. I enjoyed the store aesthetic though.
Salvatore Ferragamo Museum
Salvatore Ferragamo founded the luxury shoe brand in Florence in 1927 and unfortunately died at at 62 in 1960. His wife, Wanda, took the company over and brought it to great success. The museum celebrates working moms, female empowerment and fashion of this time period. I really loved the exhibits.
Viajiyu
Right next to the Salvatore Museum, is a custom made designer shoe shore called Viajiyu. I was drawn in by the beautiful window displays so I decided to walk in and admire. The owner, Nicole Still greeted me and we got to know each other quite well within 10 minutes, discovering we have much in common. I will share more on this later, but for now, if you are in Florence you should stop by her store. She has been running it for nine years making custom designed flats, heels, sneakers and men’s shoes. All shoes are locally and sustainably made and gorgeous!
Piazza Michelangelo
This is one of my favorite things I have done in Florence! Piazza Michelangelo is the best lookout spot of the city of Florence. Everyone heads there for sunset and while it is busy, it does not at all diminish the magic of the experience. My roommates and I packed cheese and crackers to put together a charcuterie board and each brought a bottle of wine to drink. We sat for nearly three hours snacking, conversing with those around us, and journaling.
Places I’ve Eaten
La Toria
This is an area right along the Arno river with food trucks, and several vendor booths. There are fairy lights, a stage for live music, and plenty of comfortable chairs.
Scudieri
After playing around with my camera and having a night photography photoshoot, I was craving something sweet. I stopped into Scudieri and selected three macaroons to enjoy by the Duomo. Let me tell you, these were the best I’ve ever had. They were a tough choice too, everything in the display case looked yummy.
Rosalia
I have eaten so much bread and pasta so my body was dying for a salad. Alexis and I stopped at Rosalia for lunch because it had so many fresh options and a cute style. The build your own bowl line really reminded me of home haha. This is also seems to be the only place in Italy that offers salad dressing other than olive oil.
Sandwichic
Yet another Tik Tok recommendation! Sandwichic has a great student deal where you get a sandwich, a water, and a soda all for six euros. I actually liked this place better than Al’ Antico Vinaio because I thought the bread was softer and less salty.
Gino’s Bakery
This was a bakery I have heard good things about and wanted to try. I got the nutella breadstick ($1) and a mini tiramisu ($3). I loved having the bite sized treat in the afternoon rather than a large portion meant for several people. Great prices for delicious baked goods.
Pizzino Cafe
I like to write my blogs in a cafe and feel like a local. Pizzino Cafe was perfect for that. I wandered across the river and was surprised how hard it would be to find a cafe with indoor seating and wifi. Pizzino Cafe was the perfect environment to get work done and I got to sit right next to these large open windows to enjoy the breeze.
Takeaways
- Some days you will have energy to go, go go! Take advantage of it. Other days you will be too tired to do anything and just need to rest. Allow yourself to.
- It doesn’t really matter if something makes you look like a tourist. If you enjoy it, than do it. Don’t let locals judgement of the way you dress or the sandwich you order bother you.
- MEET THE LOCALS! There is no better experience than human connection. No museum will give you that feeling.
- Don’t use Viator to book excursions. It canceled my trip with a company and I think has been giving out my information. Just overall not trustworthy.
- Take a different walk home. Don’t get too comfortable in routine that you miss out on opportunities.
