Florence, Italy

We took the train from Roma Termini to Firenze. The train was clean and roomy. Because the trip was only 1-2 hours, we booked economy. Even though I booked ahead, you can buy your tickets at the station. There are many websites that sell tickets, so make sure you comparison shop before booking. Some options are much more expensive. Here is the direct link that I used to buy my tickets. You need to type your cities in Italian … otherwise the site won’t work.

Hotel:

Home Boutique Santa Maria Novella: I always love to support locals and I try to book with them whenever possible. These boutique hotels offer experiences that you will never get at a chain.  This gem is located in the heart of Florence’s attractions. We only had three days in the city, and I wanted to be able to see as much as possible so location was very important. This historic property was originally built in 1600. Yet, despite its long history, the rooms are new and remodeled. The design and architectural elements are pretty cool. The ambiance and location of this charming boutique hotel made me feel like a city local. Simply put, the experience was unparalleled.

The owner contacted me a day before we arrived, checking on our planned arrival time to be sure that someone would be there to check us in. The room we reserved was for 2 people, and it was big enough to meet our needs. The hotel also offers larger spaces if you need them. They have a common area for guests to use to relax and watch TV, as well as a kitchen to prepare light food. The hotel provides coffee and snacks for breakfast. But, why would you want to eat at the hotel when there are so many great places to explore and enjoy? You are on vacation, go explore and eat out! 

During our stay, I asked the staff to show me all the hotel rooms. Every single one was clean, bright, and spacious. I highly recommend this place, and would definitely go back and stay for many reasons, including: its outstanding customer service and excellent location. 

Restaurants:

Mercato Centrale Firenze: This is heaven on Earth for foodies. The first level boasts a local grocery, selling a wide variety of food products. The second floor is packed with a wide variety of restaurants. These restaurants range from Italian cuisine to those that feature Asian sushi and ramen. We tried to order small dishes so we could sample as much as possible. Make sure that when you go you are hungry. 

Grand Hotel Cavour: I wanted a view of the city from the top, so we headed to this hotel. They have great drinks that come with chips and snacks, and, of course, an amazing view. 

Trattoria Za Za Firenze: This is one of the most well-known restaurants, by both locals and tourists. This place is like a maze and it is huge. Yet, it still has a long line outside it. As I mentioned before, I found Rome’s pasta to be too salty for me. I ordered pasta here and it was perfection. I can still taste it in my memories. Florence is also famous for their steaks. We did not try it, but make sure to order one. I  saw other tables order it and it looked amazing.

Trattoria Mario: This restaurant was recommended by our tour guide. I trusted him, because he took us to great places during our wine tasting tour. This trattoria is right next to Za Za, and it is packed. The menu is hanging on the wall.Some items have nearly illegible English names next to them. Since they do not have an English menu, the clientele is pretty local. 

Caffe Concerto Paszkowski: This is another place for a quick drink right in the middle of city square. There is nothing special about it. However, its large open space with comfy lounge chairs makes it great for relaxing and people watching. 

Trattoria 13 Gobbi: On our last night in Florence, we made a reservation at this restaurant. It had been recommended by an Italian friend. We were seated next to other American tourists, and we all shared our experiences and recommendations. It was a fun night with great company and excellent food. The steak was huge and my husband did not want to share, so we ordered something else. The other table ordered steak and they loved it. From there, along with the other American tourists, we headed over to the gelato place recommended by the tour guide. 

Gelateria Perche No: We all ordered different flavors, and I sampled a few before ordering. They were all delicious. But, there is something important to know. Not all gelato places are good. We went to a coffee shop next to the PIazza Del Duomo during the day, to sit and relax. I  ordered a gelato, and it was BADDDDD. I could not even finish it!

Sightseeing:

Piazza del Duomo: This is the most famous duomo in Florence; you see it in all the pictures. It is a grand structure that is very different than what you will see in Rome. Go to the hilltop where the monastery is or Piazzale Michelangelo to get an amazing view of the city.

Ponte Vecchio: When you are exploring the city, it is impossible to miss this medieval stone closed-spandrel segmented arch bridge. It used to have many butcher shops, but now, it primarily has souvenir shops and jewelry stores. And, it also has great places to take photos.

Galleria degli uffizi: Do you have to visit this place? Well, if you love paintings, then you most definitely should. There are some famous works of art in this museum that are definitely must sees. For someone who is not interested in art, this may be a ho-hum experience, and if you have already been to Rome, then you will definitely get tried.

In addition to our sightseeing excursions in Florence, we also decided to spend one of our three days tasting wine in the countryside. This is entirely dependent on personal preferences. There is definitely more than enough to do in Florence to occupy  anyone, and because of this, some people will want to save Tuscany for another trip. But, I wanted a day outside of the city in peace and quiet, exploring small villages that offer farm-to-table food. I wanted to visit a winery where I could sit with the owner, and talk to him about his passion and challenges that he may experience. 

The Chianti Road Trip: I found our tour guide through WITH LOCALS. He is a great guy with so much knowledge and information, ranging from the history of Florence to food and wine. He has a law degree, but decided to follow his passion and become a sommelier. He asked what I wanted to see and do, and  he tailored a unique itinerary based on our preferences. Not that many tour guides do that. They have a fixed itinerary and take you to the same places they take everyone else. But, our guide was different. I wanted to visit a local winery, eat at a local village shop, and see the beautiful scenery. We visited a pottery shop on our way and headed to the winery from there.

Ottomani winery is fairly new, and is owned by four friends who have degrees in agriculture. Not only do they make wine, but they also produce their own olive oil and cheese. We were able to sample and enjoy all the products. We met one of the owners. He proudly explained everything to us, and showed us how they made wine. Visiting smaller businesses provides great insight. The experience at this winery was one-of-a-kind. 

For lunch, we stopped at a meat shop in a small village. We ordered a platter with a bottle of red wine. I can't explain how flavorful and aromatic everything was. After a great lunch, Lorenzo took us on a ride through wine country to take pictures and visit another small village. We headed back to Florence in the late afternoon.

Another city and another amazing experience! Everything about Florence was fantastic. The streets were alive and full of people. Every corner and alley has a history and something fascinating to explore. A few days is not enough to experience all Florence has to offer! I wish I could spend more days or even months exploring every corner of this beautiful city.