Florence, Italy

** Editor’s Note: This trip was taken in 2007, photographed with an 8 megapixel point and shoot camera, and written from the perspective of a 22 year old who had never blogged before. Enjoy :) **

After perusing the pages I wrote about my visit to Florence in ’07, it all came rushing back to me today! The only thing I regret was that we only had two days. Two weeks wouldn’t have been enough for this beautiful city.

We stayed at the Emerald Fields Hostel. Don’t stay there. The sheets were “wet-ish” (some might say damp) when we arrived, the rooms were freezing, and there was no way to . There is no shower- just a tub with a hand-held shower head. And when I say hand held– I mean it! There was no where to prop it up. Better learn to wash your hair with one hand while the other holds the shower… because that’s the way they do it at Emerald Fields.

One of my favorite things in Florence were the street markets. I did very little shopping during my trip- since everything I bought I had to carry on my back- but thanks to the fact that I alternated between only 2 pairs of pants and several shirts for 2 months, I was able to fit a few things into my pack. (We did do laundry when we could, thank you!)

• Obviously when you go to Florence you must visit the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, (aka theDuomo). It is one of the most unique and iconic churches you will see in Europe.

• Piazza della Singnoria is one of the most famous public squares in Italy and is home to a huge outdoor art collection- including a replica of Michelangelo’s David. The David was originally placed in this square in the 1500’s but was later moved to the Accademia Gallery, which we did not visit. I am sure there is something very special to some people about seeing the original, but for me, the replica was as good as the real thing.

• The Ponte Vecchio Bridge is also worth checking out. It was built in the 1300’s and is Florence’s oldest bridge. It miraculously survived the medieval times and is now lined with jewelry-type-shops. You don’t have to be in the market for this jewelry to make this stop worth it.

• For the best views of the city (as pictured in the first several photos below) visit the Piazza Michelangelo. It is located across the river from the main square and the views of the city are unparalleled.

• My last recommendation is to check out the gardens. Florence has absolutely beautiful gardens and if you have the chance to walk through them- do it! I received this advice too, and got lost because I was dead set on walking through gardens the whole way home. After a few hours of being lost, several blisters, and no gardens, I was cursing the idea of “walking through gardens” but that is only because I somehow ended up walking up the mountain on twisty streets and couldn’t find my way back. Darn maps! Or maybe darn directionally-challenged self! By the time we found Boboli Gardens the blisters were forgotten and the map forgiven. (It was worth it) :)

Unfortunately, when breezing through a city in only 2 days, you don’t get to take in everything you would like to, so for a more comprehensive list of things to do check out: Visit Florence.

Of course, I am always happy to give what little advice I can, but I know I have several fellow travel bloggers reading, and though I have never met you- I love your comments! So any thoughts or advice you have is always welcomed as well!

Ponte Vecchio Bridge (Oldest bridge in Florence)