Fall into Florence
If you’re thinking of booking an autumn trip and you’re not sure where to go, Florence Italy is one of the most magical and inspirational destinations you will ever visit. I’ve been obsessed with Italian food all my life and finally made my way to Italy for the first time last fall. Autumn is the perfect time to visit Europe mainly because of cooler weather, cheaper flights and hotel rates, and best of all, you get to avoid the crazy throngs of summer vacation tourists.
Florence stood out to me for a multitude of reasons but I want to highlight the three top reasons why you should book your trip pronto.
The FOOD.
Eating in Italy is nothing short of a religious experience. Everything in the historic center of Florence is within walking distance and there are so many trattorias and osterias clustered near the main attractions and hotels. My very first meal in Italy was a giant pan of pappardelle with wild boar sauce. I didn’t think I could possibly finish it but I ate every morsel and almost licked the sauce off the pan! It fundamentally changed the way I cook Italian food at home. Their dishes are simple and contain no more than a couple of really good, really fresh ingredients. They’re also pretty massive and meant to be shared with friends and family. It’s a little tricky when you’re traveling solo but at some places like eateries at the Central Market, you can order side dishes to taste a variety of flavors.
The maze-like streets lead to awesome surprises.
OK, I admit I’m quite directionally challenged. But I think Florence can be confusing even to people who memorize maps and have a built-in compass in their heads. The problem is that the street names are not very visible and can change within a block to another name completely. I find that the GPS on my iPhone was more confusing than helpful and the only time I didn’t get lost was when I used a paper map!
The cool thing about getting superbly lost is stumbling onto things that you won’t normally get to see if you’re following a strict route. While looking for my hotel, I stumbled onto a hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop with a long line. I was tired and hungry but had to see what the hype was all about! Turns out that All’Antico Vinaio is one of the most famous and well-loved panini shops in Florence and I wasn’t even specially looking for it. The panini was definitely worth the wait and getting massively lost for!
The awe-inspiring views.
There are three places in Florence that will give you the best views of the historic city. At the Piazzale Michelangelo, you can see a panoramic view of the city and take postcard-worthy photos.
But if you want a great workout and conquer your fear of heights, you should visit the Duomo di Firenze (Florence Cathedral). It consists of a dome and Campanile di Giotto (bell tower) and I highly suggest you split the combined 800+ step climb (and that’s just one way!) into two days.
The stairs up the dome and bell tower are very narrow and kind of claustrophobic but the views are incredibly worth it! It’s a little daunting if you have a fear of heights but soon enough, the gorgeous views will make you braver than you thought you could ever be. The best time to start your climb would be about 30 minutes to an hour before sunset. Once you get to the top, you will get the most magnificent view of the sun setting on this magical city. It actually glows! It’s worth the asthmatic climb up 400+ steps and the jelly legs you will feel when you get to the top.
What are you waiting for? The stunning city of Florence awaits your arrival. You will eat like you’ve never eaten before, get desperately lost in the crazy streets, become awestruck by the beautiful buildings and art, and best of all, fall hopelessly in love with the city.