Ciao! I’m finally in Florence, Italy! This week I have been getting to know my way around Florence. Here’s what I’ve been up to:
Saturday
On Saturday we loaded the car and headed to LAX for my flight to Florence, Italy. On the way we stopped for In-n-out as my last American meal (not sure how I’m gonna survive without it for 4 months). When we got to LAX I checked my bag and the bag guy was super helpful. Then I said goodbye to my parents and headed to TSA Pre-Check which I highly recommend getting!! I got through security in 2 minutes and there was no one else in line. I then walked to the international terminal which was HUGE, and shortly after boarded my FIRST international flight ever to Paris, France.
I flew Air France, which I recommend, and had the window seat with the middle seat empty. I liked having the window seat so that I could control how much light came in and use the side of the plane to sleep on. To avoid jetlag I attempted to sleep at 6pm which was difficult and sleeping on the plane was uncomfortable, but it did help a lot with jetlag. The food on the flight was not very good so I recommend packing snacks.
Sunday
On Sunday I landed in Paris and sat on the right side of the plane and got to see the Eiffel Tower!! I went through customs pretty quickly to my surprise (in under 30 minutes). Then I boarded my flight from Paris to Florence and got to fly over the Swiss Alps. Once landing in Florence I collected my luggage (which thankfully didn’t get lost). Then we boarded a bus to the hotel. I do not recommend using public transportation to get from the tiny Florence airport to a hotel. We got stuck for an hour on the bus ride that should have been 10 minutes.
Once I got to the hotel I hauled my luggage up 2 flights of stairs and got to my unique Italian hotel room. I stayed at the Grand Hotel Baglioni which was nice overall. Then I met my roommates and headed to the orientation dinner at The Borghese Palace and saw the Duomo in person on our way there. To end the night, I checked out the rooftop bar at the hotel which had a great view of the Duomo.
Monday
First full day in Florence, Italy!
On Monday we had orientation again and got €6 pasta for lunch at “F.N. Pasta Fresca” in the Market Centrale which I recommend if you want a good quick cheap lunch.
Then I grabbed my first Italian caffelatte which was mediocre in my opinion.
Afterwards we went on a walking tour of the city and saw many famous sites such as the Palazzo Vecchio. We also found out where some of the wine windows are located.
After the tour we had to find a way to get cell service so I signed up with Iliad e-sim which I highly recommend if you will be in Florence for awhile. I think it was €20 for the first month and €10 each month after and works in most parts of the city.
Monday night some friends and I visited our first wine window where a sizable glass of wine was only €5.
Tuesday
On Tuesday we moved into our apartment which is in a very good central location but, it has many stairs. After unpacking, my friend and I finally decided to go grocery shopping which is a very humbling experience in a new country… Maybe look up grocery shopping rules before you go grocery shopping.
Then Tuesday night my roommates and I went out to dinner near our apartment at “Osteria Del Gatto e la Volpe” which was very good. I got the cacio e pepe and an aperol spritz. Tuesday night we went to an American Bar called “Lion’s Fountain”.
Wednesday
Wednesday we had another walking tour, orientation, and a cooking class. The cooking class was fun! We made caprese, fresh fettuccine, and a cream pudding for dessert. I surprisingly liked the eggplant part of the caprese, but not the tomato. The pasta was fun to make, but the sauces were okay. The pudding was very good. I walked a total of 9 miles this day and felt the burn in my calves.
Thursday
Unlimited wine in Florence, Italy
Thursday we went to our last orientation, grabbed coffee (this time a cappuccino which was better than the caffelatte), booked a wine tour, a Pisa trip, and a Switzerland trip, went shopping, and headed to dinner.
For dinner we went to this place called “Ristorante Trattoria Pizzeria Dante” which was super fun. We had pasta and unlimited wine for free with the purchase of an entree, for students, which was a really good deal since entrees were only €12. We also got to meet Dante and he gave us free limoncello at the end of dinner.
We went out Thursday night to a club called “Babylon” which was fun.
Friday
On Friday, we took the “Trenitalia” to Pisa. It was only an hour train ride from Florence and then a 0.5 hour walk to the city center. We lucked out with the weather as it was 55 degrees and sunny. On the walk there we saw many historical sites and then reached the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Cathedral. We opted to just walk around and take pictures instead of paying €7 to enter each building.
Then we headed to a cafe to get a better view of the tower and had some very mediocre ham and cheese sandwiches (I do not recommend). Next we went to the market area and got some postcards. Lastly, we did some shopping in the Fashion District and got our first Italian gelato for dessert at La Bottega del Gelato. I highly recommend them if you have food allergies; they were very good about my nut allergies. Overall, if you plan to go to Pisa I would make it a short day trip of 6 hours or less.
Saturday
On Saturday we did a wine tasting tour called “Green Chianti Wine Tasting” with the tour company Smart Trip. Students can use my code “GELATO” to get a discount on any of their trips. This trip was super fun! We boarded a bus to the Chianti region and went to 2 wineries this day. The first winery we went to was “Tenuta Torciano” in San Gimignano where we had salami, cheese, bread, and 3 wines. My favorite was the Chianti House Red.
The second winery we went to, Poggio ai Laghi in Monteriggioni, was my favorite. From the moment we got there our sommelier was super funny and entertaining. The winery was beautiful. We tried 4 wines and my favorites were the Chianti Riserva and the Rosé. I even got to catch the cork (after 2 failed attempts) and the whole room got more rosé. This was a super fun experience and I highly recommend this winery (ask for Andy).
Sunday
On Sunday we went to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy since museum entrance is free the first Sunday of every month. Then we headed to the Santo Spirito Sunday farmers market where they had clothing, jewelry, and art. Lastly, we walked around the city.
This was my first week in Florence, Italy. I am so excited to live here for the next 4 months!!
Looks like you’re doing it right, Miss Meg! Love the blog – Keep it going when you have time. Love you!
Loved your blog, nice treat on a rainy Oregon evening. I m excited to see more.