Any itinerary to Italy should include Florence, which is located in the Tuscany region of Italy. Yup, that Tuscany. Florence is only a quick train ride from Rome.
A lot of European airlines fly to Florence meaning you won’t typically need to travel via Rome or elsewhere in Italy if you just want a weekend in Florence. Since there are lots of air options you can into Rome/Milan/Vienna and out of Florence or vice versa. Easyjet fly to nearby Pisa, and you probably wanted to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa anyway.
Each region of Italy has it’s own cuisine. Many people we know have been a bit disappointed with Tuscan specialities (including my parents who were not fans). However, all the general Italian favorites of gelato, cappuccino, and chocolate are still great in cosmopolitan Florence.
Pizza is associated with Italy’s more gritty cities Naples and Rome rather than Florence, but you can still find good pizza in Florence.
Try to make room for several servings of gelato each day. It’s really that good. Gelato in Italy usually comes with the option of a giant dollop of whipped cream on top. It’s highly recommended that you say yes to this option!
The city centre of Florence is very small. You’ll easily be able to see it in a couple of days. The Uffizi Gallery (one of the most famous museums in the world ), the Accademia Gallery (where you can see Michelangelo’s David), and the Duomo (the central catherdral) are the standard things everyone does, but for good reason. Don’t miss them.
You might want to hire a car and do some exploration of some of the little Tuscan towns surrounding Florence. The nearby Umbria region is an equally good, if not better, idea for a roadtrip. Try to stay in an Agritourismo at least once during your trip.
photo credit: echiner1 archer10 (Dennis) via photopin cc
Kim & Clark Kays quit their jobs for an uncertain trip around the world. Originally from St. Louis, they relocated to Chicago after getting married in 2005. After working for five years in middle school and the Fortune 500, they realized there was more to life than the 9-to-5, so made the crazy decision to exchange money for time rather than the other way around.
Their hobbies include fighting over writing styles and searching for gelato. They think food, beer, architecture, and photography are some of the best things about travel—especially when combined. Their travel blog, To Uncertainty and Beyond, includes long-term travel tips as well as humorous anecdotes from their journey through Europe and Asia. They invite you to experience their journey and learn from their adventures and mistakes.
