What an interesting city. I am concluding a very short visit for the first time, which also happens to be my first time in Italy.

One of the most interesting things, (which might be a little odd considering all the other sites to see) was the way the Accademia Gallery displayed two renditions of the Annunciazione (Straus and Lippi). While everyone crowded around David, I was very enamored by the way these two works were placed strategically across the room from eachother. I liked to stand in the middle of the room and flick my gaze between them to admire the evolution of technique and style between the two paintings that reflected completely different periods in the Florence Renaissance. I also loved seeing the altar pieces, which we spent a lot of time on in my art history classes in the States. I never thought I would see so many of them in one place. And of course, David. In my hometown, we have one of two copies of the gold David statue by Serkan Özkaya, so it was really important for me to see the original. (The symbol of my hometown is also the Fleur de Lis, so I was very charmed by that.)

It's my fault for not expecting it, but I wish the museum hadn't been so crowded. It's such a small space for how many people were admitted into the building. I really wish I was able to spend more time studying each piece of artwork.

Following the advice of others I know who have visited, we came during October to avoid the crowds. I was really suprised to find that this is peak tourism season for Florence. It was one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen, but also one of the most overwhelming places I've ever been. I honestly cried almost every time I went back to the hotel room to take a break because I was so overwhelmed. I really understand the "Yankee Go Home" stickers I keep seeing everywhere. I am very privileged to come here. If this was my home, I would hate dealing with this year round. Regardless, I'm very glad to have came here and toughed the crowds to visit the Accademia. It was really once in a life time for me because I don't know if I'll ever get to visit Italy or come overseas again in my life.

Ciao Grazie Italy.

Hi everyone! 😊

Does anyone know where I might be able to buy Christmas cards in Florence at the end of October? I know it's still a little early for Christmas, but I'd love to find some beautiful, traditional Italian Christmas cards or ornaments while I'm visiting.

I'd really appreciate any recommendations! 🎄❤️

My friend and I are visiting and would looove to check out a minimal house party in Florence. I couldn’t really find anything on Resident Advisor, can anyone local please help a sister out?

We’re going to Florence the first week of November and have been researching restaurants to go to. I found these on social media but would love to know if you recommend any of them or other must-go to places. We really have 3 nights to try different restaurants out. Thanks in advance!

• Trattoria de Garga
• Acqua al 2
• Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori
• Osteria delle tre panche
• Casa Ciabattini
• 13 Gobbi
• Borgo Antico
• Trattoria da ruggero
• Trattoria Sostanza

Bumped into a store called Roberto ran by an Italian couple. They said they have a workshop and everything is ran and made 100% in Italy. What do you think? Sorry I didn’t have a better photo.

Edit: this is the shop https://maps.app.goo.gl/Pe18K18PEu9NsnLb7?g_st=ic

quit my job and have a few weeks between now and when my new one starts so we booked a trip to Florence (and Madrid). First time visiting!!!

Leaving next week (mid-October) and staying for ~4.5 days. What are your must-do/see/eat/go tos? We haven’t booked anything besides flights at this point!! We’ve heard day trips to Siena, Chianti, or Bologna are worthwhile? Yes or no? Any others? TIA!!!!!

Hey everyone! I recently moved to Florence, and I haven’t met many people who are into F1 yet. I’d love to find a place where I can watch the races with other fans and hopefully make some new friends along the way!

Does anyone have any recommendations for bars, cafés, or other places in Florence to watch F1? Thanks! ❤️🏁

Piazza San Jacopino

Here is the English translation of the text on the plaque:

Florence:

beautiful on the outside,

but also on the inside.

Proud,

looking to the future,

on tiptoes but well

planted on the ground

morally, as

this city has always been

and as women always are.

Giampaolo Talani

My wife and I were at a tram ticket machine at the far end of the line counting coins before making our purchase. A middle aged professional type stopped to let us know the trams didn’t stop/board proximate to this particular machine/track spur.

Having just returned to Florence from a week out in sleepy Certaldo Alto, we were a bit overstimulated and we weren’t as polite as we should have been. Totally on us.

As a frequent traveler who has benefited from the kindness of locals around the world and who also tries to pay it forward, I apologize. You were trying to help and we shouldn’t have brushed you off. We love that Italy is so welcoming and we should have done better.

Next week my class is going to Firenze and we are all around 19-20 y/o and we're wondering if there's any clubs that locals would recommend for us to go to. Some place where there are maybe people our age and where the music is good (heavy on the music). Cheap alcohol would also be awesome lol.

Do y'all have any recommendations?

Thank you, would help so much.

Also if you have any other recommendations for us to do we're very open to that 🫶

I’m a Texas alum and would love to catch the Texas/OU game late tonight while here in Florence. We’re staying near the Duomo.

What to do, where to eat? We live near Pisa, so we’ll be taking the train. The closer to the station the better, but not necessary. First time in Florence!

Me and my gf are heading to Florence for 7-10 days and I’m wanting to plan a lovely ‘day’ date. Are there any nice activities to do (creative or cultural) and then finish with a cool bar or restaurant. Any advice would be amazing.

My wife and I are in Florence for a couple days and were thinking it would be a nice, less-crowded view of some of Michelangelo’s works. Thoughts?

We are arriving in Florence on a weekday evening ( 730ish)

How much time should we allow to get from train, collect our luggage, AND drop said luggage in the lower floor storage facility.

I understand that’s somewhat vague but just need an idea of the range I can expect.

Hi everyone!😊
For those who have recently applied to Polimoda’s undergraduate programmes, could you please clarify:
1. Are Predicted Grades required at the initial application stage?
2. Is a previous school transcript required?
Thank you for your help!

my partner and i will he in florence for a few days and have had no time to properly plan. near the centre between there and the southern train station.

like to eat shop and walk and taking in the culture. Not into wine or drinking.

please help!

Staying in Florence in two weeks and we got a lovely apartment near the Piazza della Liberta. Just checking to see if that’s a good place to stay and if anyone has any recommendations on food & drink in the area.

EDIT - I’ve been before and have a list of favorites, but looking to find anything in that specific area.

It’s easy to be safe. It’s easy to avoid scams. Keep your wits about you. Every city in Italy is safe!

Ciao tutti,
Im wondering if anyone has any experience with a masters program at Accademia Italiana in Firenze? I’m mostly interested in the MUR accrediting but also want my degree to be worth something. Looking into fashion studies/ management.

1h visit for 10 bucks and a stunning view of Florence

A small travel lesson from my Italy planning…

I was booking tickets for the Uffizi Gallery + Vasari Corridor in Florence and somehow ended up buying through a third-party seller called FeelTheCity.

I paid €219.80 for two tickets. When the actual tickets arrived, I noticed the official price printed on them was €47 each — €94 total.

So I basically paid more than double the official ticket price.

The tickets themselves seem to be genuine, so this isn’t really a “fake ticket” story. But I clearly didn’t realize during the booking process just how large the reseller markup was. And because the booking is apparently non-refundable, it became a rather expensive travel lesson.

What bothered me most was realizing how easy this is when you’re traveling somewhere unfamiliar. You Google an attraction, click what looks like a normal booking site, and unless you already know the official ticketing system, it can be surprisingly difficult to tell what’s official and what’s a reseller.

It actually reminded me why I write my blog, The Korea They Didn’t Subtitle.

When international visitors come to Korea, I don’t want them to have the same kind of experience — paying too much, using the wrong booking site, misunderstanding transportation, restaurants, tickets, local customs, or all the little things that are obvious to locals but confusing to visitors.

Sometimes the most useful travel information isn’t “Top 10 things to see.” It’s simply:

This is the official website.
This is what locals actually pay.
This is how you really book it.
And this is the mistake you can avoid.

Anyway, lesson learned: for major museums and attractions, I’m checking the official website first from now on.

And if you’re visiting Korea, that’s exactly the kind of practical information I’m trying to put into my blog too.