My most special town: Florence

Last Saturday, an almost summer day in the mid-March, we took a little trip to Florence, to see friends and spend some time in our most special town! Florence is a very important place to us! It is where we met, we fell in love, and afterwards got married (well, in fact we got married in Toscany but Florence is Toscany afterall!). 

I have been there countless times, yet everytime I visit Florence, I get dazzled by its beauty. It is such a magical city! I have always the feeling to travel in time, while strolling through its streets and alleys, I expect to come upon Buonarotti, Boticelli, and Da Vinci or that Roberto Benigni would pop up around the corner on his bicycle..

Besides Ponte Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria e la piazza della Reppublica, which are the star attractions, there are so many hidden corners in Florence, challenging the visitor to be explored! .. Every time I wander around its lanes, I stumble on something new! An unknown osteria, an interesting gallery, a local bar, a delicious gelateria or special store windows of contemporary art or unusual clothes that intrigue me.

If you see Florence from above, It seems like a puzzle composed of thousands of pieces. There are several places to admire that spectacular view: climb up the stairs of the Duomo on the top of the cupola, walk up the hills until Piazza Michelangelo or even head to Fiesole, these are the top-notch spots for a breathtaking panorama!

Here are my top picks, along with those of my good friend Maya who shares her experience as an expat (well, she is almost a local already :) in the city:

All the highlights of course reported on all tourist guides:  such as Duomo & Campanile, Galleria degli Uffici, Santa Croce, Palazzo Pitti, Palazzo Vecchio, Galleria dell' Academia...

1. Don't miss the local markets that are abundant in Florence. Apart from the most famous markets of the Mercato Nuovo (don't miss to rub the Porcelino's snout for good luck!) and the San Lorenzo Market, check when and where on the web (or here). 

Track down artisans with this app

2. Get tickets for a concert or an italian opera (especially during the summer time there are a lot of events, see here for tickets)

3. Visit off beaten museums: Museo della Specola (the oldest scientific european museum), where among others, welcomes a precious collection of gems, jewels and crystals, Bargello, Stibbert Museum 

3 Go for a picnic! The gardens are among the city’s finest gems: Orto Botanico, Giardino Torrigiani, Giardino di Boboli (during the summer, don't miss an Italian Opera there!), Giardino Bardini, Giardino delle Rose,.. 

4. Do not miss the aperitivo! It is similar to happy hour; most of the bars offer a drink with a wide buffet of finger food for few euros! You will feel the italian way of socializing! (from 7-9pm)  

A very nice place for it is the Caffetteria della Biblioteca dell Oblate with a marvelous look at Brunelleschi's dome and the campanile, Moyo (my fav) or others here. Try the Caffetteria della Rinascente in piazza Repubblica (I am not sure that they give aperitivo), at the last floor, you can get your cappuccino or your Negroni while savouring a spectacular view over the city...

5. Even if you are not a big fan of meat, you should absolutely try the bistecca fiorentina (Tuscan steak) while on Florence! Try this one or this or this
Not the best for fiorentina, but surely a unique place, is the Restaurant- Museum Alle murate, where you can eat under the lunettes hanged on the splendid frescos among those Dante, Petrarca and Boccaccio figures. The food is refined, and the prices are consequently higher than the usual tratorie. 

6. Shopping is a must while in Italy. Close to Florence there are plenty of designer outlets, which you can reach by car or with buses. My favourite is the Mall (Burberry, Prada, YSL, Valentino, Armani and more... Check it out!

More Florence reviews from expats who live there you can find here, here, here

What about you? Do you have any hotlist for Florence? Do you have a most special city, and where is that?