Florence is a beautiful city steeped in history and culture. The air is filled with the aroma of espresso and fresh pastries, with sounds of bustling markets and cafes add to its lively atmosphere. Florence is filled with artistic treasures, culinary delights, and romantic ambiance.
What area to stay in? We stayed in Santa Croce neighborhood, in the more local area. I highly recommend staying away from the main tourist areas to get the most authentic feel for the city. Florence is a highly walkable city so don’t be afraid to stay further out from the Duomo.
Cooking Class. A cooking class is a must when in Florence, we did The Art of Pasta – Authentic Recipes on Airbnb. It was so fun creates multiple dishes in a group setting and then enjoying each meal. The meals and recipes made were some of the best dishes we had in all of Italy! Our host also gave us a wonderful list of restaurant recommendations, to which we had the best Napoli pizza we have ever had.
Restaurant Recommendations. Best advice for the best restaurants is getting away from the touristy area and get more into the local neighborhoods for the best and most authentic food. With that being said, there are definitely amazing restaurants right in the thick of the action in the city. A standout for me is Degusteria Italiana, I long to eat their pastas again.
We enjoyed walking all around the city (we never took a ride other than getting to and from the train stations) so be sure to bring your best walking shoes. Theres nothing better than exploring a new city and popping in and out of cafes, markets, and local stores. Enjoy Florence!