Part one of three in Italy: Milan and Florence. We spent the most time in Italy so I am excited to share this experience because there is truly so much to see and do with so many personal memories. It holds a special place in my heart and I hope it finds it’s way to yours.
DAY 6: DAY 6- TRAVEL TO ITALY
A True Travel Day
Travel day to Milan! Our original plan was to wake up at 8:30am and leave by 9/9:30am for our 12pm flight. However, when we woke up, we were notified that our flight was delayed to 4:10pm but to still get to the airport at the same time. We didn’t, we slept more. Our trip to Milan was already very short so this delay made it even shorter, sadly. We ended up leaving at 11am and sat at the airport for a few hours. I bought a croissant and pretzels and finished watching Season 4 of Stranger Things. It was so good, I was uncontrollable sobbing in the middle of the airport. I can’t wait for the next season.
*Note: Have something to watch for times like these
The flight was quick but the travel to the city center was long. We waited for a train to come, which was another hour long trip and then a five minute metro ride to the city center. The metro came out right by the Duomo and the street with the expensive stores Emma wanted to go to which was perfect. Plus, it was not even a 10 minute walk to our apartment. Instead of getting there around 2pm like we were supposed to, we got there at like 8:30pm which stunk but we still made the most of it.
*Note: It is helpful to look into travel time from airport and train stations to city center so you have an idea of when you will actually be arriving.
Our apartment was ridiculously nice and had an amazing view. I loved it. If I had to pick one of our airbnbs to live in long term, it would be this one. We then went out to dinner at Ristorante Pizzeria di Gennaro and tried to sit outside but I think they were impartial about Americans because they put us inside in the dark, stingy corner. Whatever. I got risotto and the house white wine. It was pretty good, not the overwhelming delicious dishes I remember from Florence but I knew they are coming. We walked around the rest of the night, got back and went to bed in our luxury apartment.
DAY 7: JULY 7- TRAVEL TO FLORENCE, ITALY
The Start of A Good Day
We woke up and walked around Milan in the short amount of time we had before our train to Florence. We quickly got pastries and coffee at a pastry shop nearby called Motta. I got a nutella and pistachio croissant and a cappuccino. The croissant was so good, probably one of my favorites. We went to Prada to look for a purse for Emma but the one she wanted wasn’t there in the color (black) she wanted. However, there were two left in Florence which was perfect because that’s where we were headed that afternoon. We continued to go in and out of the big name stores. We walked to a church, looked at that, walked back, went to Chanel because I was debating on buying perfume but I didn’t. Haley wanted to find sandals so we went to Zara. She didn’t find sandals but I found shorts. We grabbed our stuff from our apartment and walked to the metro and got on the train to Florence!
Where It Gets Good
When we arrived in Florence, I was overwhelmed with joy. It felt so good to be back. The train station is close to the center so we walked to our Airbnb. There, we met our Airbnb host perfectly on time and he walked us up, showed us around and taught us how to use things. He was super nice. Our location and view was awesome, literally right next to the Duomo. We could see it out our window. After we settled in, I insisted that we go to Prada for Emma’s purse. We got there and started looking for the purse. They directed us upstairs where we met a kind woman who checked the availability for us. She said there weren’t anymore but she would go check the back in case. She was gone for a little and Emma said “I should’ve said white was fine” and I said, “She’s gonna come back with black so it doesn’t matter,” and lone behold she comes back dancing with black bag in her hand. She was so cute. We all cheered. It was so wholesome. She said it was the last one in Italy! I cried because I was so excited.
*Note: If you are thinking about getting a high end product while traveling, do it. You usually save money!
More Good
Once Emma made that purchase, we left to go see my old apartment from studying abroad. It was just as I remember. Then we stopped to get paninis at the best panini place, Panini Toscani. People will tell you that All’Antico Vinaio is the best. While their panini’s are good, I think it is a little over rated. There is always a huge line and Panini Toscani has a more personalized, genuine experience. I was nervous that they wouldn’t do the taste testing anymore because of COVID-19 but thankfully, they did. We all taste tested cheese and meats and customized our paninis. I couldn’t not get prosciutto on it so I did and didn’t feel terrible. It was just as good as I remember. The owner took our picture and put us on instagram. @paninitoscanaifirenze
One Not So Good
Haley, Anna and I went to go see the Statue of David while Emma and Juan went to get the tax back for Emma’s purse. While waiting in line for the museum, Haley and Anna got scammed again. There was a guy with paintings on the ground and Haley was looking at them from a distance, talking to me about the one. The guy comes over and says, “25 euros” and Haley said no thank you and then he was like, “20 euros” and then Haley said she only had American dollars and he said, “That’s fine 20 American dollars.” Anna jumped in and was like, “I have $20,” and somehow they both gave him a twenty dollar bill, so he now had $40 in his hand. I guess they were thinking he was gonna give them change or something but he took it all and grabbed another painting. He gave them two for forty American dollars. They were definitely not real, hand painted pictures so that was sad but they were still pretty. They were also fairly large paintings so Haley had to travel around with them for three more weeks already having minimal space in her suitcase, rip.
*Note: Don’t buy things off blankets on the street if you are looking for something authentic.
The End of A Good Day
After David, we got our pins and met back up with Emma and Juan at the apartment and then walked to dinner. We ate at Emma’s favorite restaurant, Trattoria Boboli. She found it when she studied abroad here so it was right by her old apartment. It was a far walk because it was on the opposite side of the water but it was worth it. I got spaghetti with burrata and tried some of Emma’s cacchio pepe. Amazing. Then we walked to Emma’s favorite gelato, Sbrino and got the flavor speculoos. Amazing. It started raining so we ran/danced our way home and stopped anywhere we heard live music on the streets. It was so fun. I talked to my mom on the phone for a little while. A very heartwarming day.
DAY 8: JULY 8- 1 FULL DAY IN FLORENCE
Waking Up In Florence
We woke up close to noon but it was a much needed sleep. We got ready for the day and walked to get coffee and pastries. I don’t remember the name of the place but the waitress was so rude, at least my croissant and sfogliatella was delicious. Then, we walked to Ponte Vecchio and Haley and Anna got rings with Venus and Aphrodite on them. They are unique. We found a wine window and ordered a glass of wine from it and drank it in the street. We wanted to go to this place that Emma knew about that sold cream filled donut holes but it was closed so we just met up with Juan and got lunch. I don’t remember the name of this place either but I had minestrone soup. It was so good but I was sweating. Then, we tried to find a rooftop bar. We were successful but it was full and we didn’t make reservations. We decided to sit outside a restaurant by the Duomo called Amalfi and get wine in the meantime. We shared a bottle of rosé.
Evening In Florence
After, we just walked back to lay down before dinner. For dinner, we had a 7:30pm reservation at Trattoria Zàzà. That place was huge. We got what we thought was white wine but was actually a delicious red even though none of us really like red. I got truffle bruschetta as an appetizer and gnocchi for dinner. I love truffle but only had it here so I’ll have to try it at home. We sat there for a while and talked to our waiter. Another waiter was Colombian and was talking to Juan in Spanish. It was a very good experience. We got gelato at Grom and walked back to our apartment because we planned to go out since it was a Friday night.
*Note: It is helpful to book some dining experiences in advance, especially if you know the place is popular.
Night Life In Florence
We bought wine from across the street of our apartment to pregame with, changed and got ready. The wine was terrible. I don’t even know what kind it was but it was light with an orange tint to it. Didn’t know there was such thing as bad wine in Italy. We walked to the Lion’s Fountain first because that is a staple American bar in Florence. It was super crowded with a lot of college students. Then we tried going to the club Babylon but it was closed. So we tried Space. Also closed. So weird. Some random people near us said being open on Friday or Saturday night was bad luck? It was strange. I was kind of annoyed because I never got to experience the clubs while I was studying there and I wouldn’t be again. Emma, Juan and Anna went to sit at a fancy place to listen to live music and Haley and I went to try Red Garter. It was open and poppin. It was sweaty, smelly, crowded and gross but fun enough I guess. There were too many creepy Italian men. We left to get pizza from Misterpizza on our way home and met two random guys. It wasn’t the night we were expecting but still fun.
*Note: The Lion’s Fountain has customized shots for a lot of colleges in America.
DAY 9: JULY 9- 2 FULL DAY IN FLORENCE
Food and Wine
We tried to wake up earlier but failed. Juan left early to get a tattoo. We had a late start and wanted brunch so we walked to Le Vespe (A good American style brunch place) but they were too busy so we walked to Rooster. Ironically, We ran into Juan eating there before his tattoo appointment. I got a banana peanut butter smoothie and added espresso. (The waitress hated that I did that) and avocado toast. It was good but not the best thing I’ve ever had. Then we walked to a rooftop bar called View on Art and got drinks. We sat, drank, and talked in the sun for a few hours. It was really relaxing but also hot. Then we walked to Zara and got a few things from the sale rack.
Cabri
On our way back we got pastries and water. I stopped to look at the paintings by the Duomo. Painters sit there all day trying to sell their paintings, some of them are working on paintings right there in front of you. I’m not sure why I had an urge to get one but I did so I got one. The painter was super sweet and did a really nice job so I was excited to buy it. It was of the Ponte Vecchio. His name was Cabri and it was 35 euros. It was small but perfect and totally worth it. Drained from the sun, we went back to our apartment to rest. I slept for a little and then walked to the Flying Tiger by myself while everyone napped. Haley woke up and came with me to look through stores. She got a hat and I got Nick and Allie a little espresso cup that says Florence on it with a plate.
A Taste of Italy
At sunset, we walked to the Piazzale Michelangelo. It was super crowded. I would definitely recommend getting there early. We took some pictures where we could and then walked to dinner. We ate at a cute little restaurant called L’arte di Dory. It was a small, family business where they make the pasta to order basically right in front of you. The sweetest woman makes all the pasta. We were somehow the only ones there. It was so delicious and I loved the authentic Italian experience. Grandma would’ve loved that, she kind of reminded me of my grandma. We got gelato at Sbrino again because it is that good and then walked home, showered and went to bed. Amalfi Coast next!
