Florence is known as the “cradle of the Renaissance”, la culla del Rinascimento in Italian and it is no doubt one of the most visited towns in the Tuscany region. I have seen a lot of blogs and websites add Florence to the list of places you should take a day trip to from Milan. With the fast train Freccia Rossa, it takes only about an hour and a half – so in the past, I agreed it was a great idea for a day trip from Milan.
However, after I visited this beautiful city nestled in between the hills in Tuscany, I took a different stance. Florence needs more than a day to explore! You need time to immerse yourself in each moment you uncover.
What's inside?
The City Skyline from Piazza Michelangelo
And apart from the inner peace you feel settling within once you step into this city, there is a lot to discover – the good food, historical centres, and vibrant nightlife. I left the city with the wish I had spent more time there.
You see, elaborating a little more on the inner peace. For me, it wasn’t really about the size or what I could see in few hours. Florence gave me a relaxing and homely feeling. It was like a breath of fresh air from the quiet chaotic Milan. It felt like I was in a town that I would find a Novelist like Nora Roberts describe. Oh, I’m a sucker for her novels!
What to eat in Florence
Bruschetta
Bruschetta is really famous in Florence. They are made from grilled bread topped with variations like tomato, vegetables, beans, cured meat or cheese.
Ponte Vecchio, the famous bridge of Florence
Giardino delle Rose
The garden is located on the left, while on the way up to Piazza Michelangelo. It is impossible to miss. You can also get another great view of the city from here.
The street of Florence
A few of the things I found unique were the jewelry stores lined up close to the Ponte Vecchio bridge. They look like a big wooden box of ancient collections while closed.
Piazza della Signoria, Firenze
Piazza della Signoria is an L-shaped square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. It hosts some important statues, Hercules and restaurants.
Historical Buildings in Florence
Florence Cathedral
Formally called the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. It is also called the Duomo di Firenze, meaning the Cathedral of Florence in English. Duomo literally translates as Cathedral.
Palazzo Vecchio
This is the town hall of Florence, located near the Piazza della Signoria.
Medici Chapels
The Medici Chapels are two structures at the Basilica of San Lorenzo, dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. They are built as extensions to Brunelleschi’s 15th-century church,
San Lorenzo Market of Florence
The market was so full I couldn’t make it past the entrance to see what more was ahead.
There are a lot of open-air bag shops like this. These bags are traditionally made in Florence.
As regards to costs of items, Florence is quite on the same radar as Milan. But if you keep your eyes out for Trattorias and dig just a little more, you can score good deals that will help you save more on your trip!
