The Wandering Foodie

The Tuscan beat down on the hordes of people streaming along the old brick pathways. Here and there travelers from around the world – UK, Spain, US – mingle and walk about glazing up at the ancient cathedral, licking gelato cones and ducking in to browse various Italian clothing shops. Unlike its more popular Roman neighbor to the south, Florence is a smaller city with a quieter, more chill vibe.

Thanks to the city’s vibrant train system, one can shift easily from the hustle and bustle of the city center where tourists abound amongst the well-suited Italian bankers mounting their motorcycles at the end of the work day, to the peaceful suburbs where Italian families share intimate, leisurely meals in the evenings at some of the best restaurants around.

Here is a quick guide on how to spend 48 hours in Florence:

Stay: Go for an Airbnb. There are many in the city center and the suburbs. I suggest the suburbs where it is quieter, more spacious and you can’t beat the local cafes, restaurants and gelato shops. The hosts are quite accommodating and welcoming.

Eat: Do eat at the local neighborhood restaurants. These are almost always better than anything else and the local gelato shops are on-point as well. Speaking of gelato, beware of “fake” gelato! These are always found on high tourist areas in Italy like the city centers and are piled high in their tin canisters like mounds of cream or pudding. They’re not made with the same quality as true gelato which naturally does not exceed the tin lid/top. For a more fancy night out, but still quality food in the city, I suggest:

⁃ Trattoria Gabriello – traditional Florentine food, try the filet of beef with green peppercorn sauce

⁃ Atlelier de Nerli – Also fancy, high-quality Florentine cuisine

⁃ II Santo Bevitore – fancy, excellent for an evening date

Explore: Be sure to check out the Florence Cathedral known as the Duomo on your first day. A massive fete of medieval engineering and design, it is one of the largest cathedrals in Italy and its famous dome was the largest brick dome to be built. You can buy tickets to tour the inside and climb up to the top. You should also check out Michelangelo’s famous Statue of David at the Accademia Gallery. End the second day on a romantic note with a bottle of wine along the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence (built in 1345), overlooking the Arno River. The gleaming lights dancing off the old buildings and the starry sky will make you and your partner feel like you’ve found the perfect vacation moment.

Indeed, Florence is just that: a true vacation. A respite from the madness of daily life and busyness of traditional trips to cities that feature packed daily itineraries. So take a couple days in the Tuscan hills and enjoy a breath of fresh air.