Florence is a city filled with life, love and some of the greatest places I have encountered while being abroad. One great thing about the study abroad program in Florence is that you will never have a dull moment. Around each corner is a new café waiting for your arrival. Beauty is everywhere in this city and the views are unlike anything you’ve seen. Need a new purse? No worries, there are fifteen stores to choose from while staying on the same block. For all of you shopaholics out there, this is the place for you! After trying out tons of different places and sight seeing as much as the time being here would allow, I have complied a list of a few of my favorite things to do and places to see in Florence.
Food
Italians drink coffee like its water! With that being said, there are tons of amazing cafe's to choose from. La Menagere is my top pic for the cutest café. I usually come here and just order a cappuccino and a croissant, although they do have a full menu and offer cocktails. La Menagere also sells fresh flowers which are displayed all around the restaurant and give it it’s amazing vibe. Sipping my cappuccino outside in between my classes is the perfect little pick me up!
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| Cappuccino at La Menagere |
You don’t know what addiction is until you’ve somehow ended up at the same gelateria every single night for the past week. Gelateria Santa Trinita is my favorite gelato shop in Florence. It is conveniently located on the same street as my apartment which might result in me coming back to America 10 pounds heavier! All of the flavors are delicious, but my favorites would have to be panna cotta, stracciatella and raspberry.
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| Raspberry and Stracciatella gelato with a great view! |
Gusta Pizza is a family owned restaurant that was featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives and has made a name for itself in Florence. Gusta serves hands down the best pizza I have ever eaten. The workers will sometimes surprise you and shape the pizza into a heart.
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| Margarita pizza from Gusta Pizza |
Shopping
The leather in Italy is amazing and you can always get it for a bargain at the leather markets or stands around town. My favorite place to go is the San Lorenzo Leather market. This market is filled with handbags, jewelry, scarves and many other leather accessories. My favorite purchase in Florence so far would have to be my leather backpack that I bought at this market. I definitely recommend browsing around here and even heading up to the central market upstairs and grabbing a bite to eat!
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| Different styles of rings being sold at the leather market |
I think I have seen more H&M stores in the few places I have traveled to in Europe than I can count on two hands. I’m not complaining though! After classes or when I have a break, I enjoy shopping around the Piazza De Repubblica where CEA is located. Many of these stores are also present in America but the sales in Italy are unreal.
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| Zara located close to CEA campus |
Right around the corner from my apartment is the Santo Spirito Piazza. Here, the members of the community have a flea market many times throughout the week. You can buy anything from fresh fruit to a fur coat. I love to come here before I head to class and interact with the locals.
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| Clothing being sold at the flea market |
Views
The views in Florence are unbelievable. From standing in the piazza where the Duomo lies taking in all of the history, to eating gelato while walking along the Ponto Vecchio bridge, Florence is filled with beauty.
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| Duomo, Florence |
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| Live, Love, Florence |
If you find yourself in Florence, make sure to check out some of these amazing places!
Samara R. is the Spring 2017 MOJO Blogger in Florence, Italy. She is currently a Junior studying Retailing & Consumer Sciences at University of Arizona.