3. two weeks in florence
With a moment to breathe, we spend two weeks getting back to work and exploring a city that deserves two full weeks. Finally (mostly) getting away from touristy areas, we get to experience local life and settle into a comfortable routine of exploring the city in the day and working at night.
florence Pyramid of greatness
in short
A lowkey city so filled with art, food, museums - and it's so flat and condensed we didn't need a single taxi, bus, or metro (in fact, there isn't one). We train into Florence from Cinque Terre and settle into a beautiful old Airbnb right near Santa Croce, exploring and visiting museums in the day then working from about 5pm until 2am each night. Tiring, yes, but well worth it as we count ourselves lucky every morning when we get to spend our free time climbing the iconic Duomo or wandering the gardens of the Palazzo Pitti.
what we did
Between working, here's what we did in order and would recommend.
All'antico Vinaio - Also making an appearance in the pyramid of greatness, if you've been to Florence you know this sandwich shop. It's worth the hype. We braved the lines twice. I dream of this sandwich
Koto Ramen - Local, surprisingly outstanding Japanese fare
Le Vespa Cafe - Great brunch
Santa Croce Cathedral - Smaller cousin to the Duomo but still worth a visit
Palazzo Pitti and Gardens of Boboli - Beautiful residences and garden with views of the city
Giuliano Ricchi Jewelry - Local jeweler (like you have to ring his doorbell to be let in) that will happily custom make anything at a great price if he's free
Siena - Make a day trip and visit the cathedral as well as Bruscello Bistro
Uffizi - One of the great museums of the world
Palazzo Vechio - Unforgettable city hall and one of the largest rooms in Europe
Cucina Torcicoda - Recommended in New York Time's 36 hours in, lives up to the hype
Sushiami - All you can eat sushi in Florence, surprisingly good, and a welcome break from all the pasta
Palazzo Medici - Great art and another museum worth visiting
New Bridge Pizza Club - Actually good pizza away from tourist hot spots with great beer
Duomo - Make the arduous climb to the top of the dome and you'll be rewarded
Foody Farm - Also recommend in 36 hours in, well worth a visit for lunch
Gallerie Dell'Academia - You have to see David, make a reservation and be prepared for a wait
next time
Somehow we missed the iconic Palazzo Michelangelo at sunset with views above the city, but to be fair the weather was intermitted thunderstorms and showers the entire two weeks. From all the walking you'll be too tired too. Less touristy than Rome, more understated than Milan, and with a deep and rich history, Florence is well worth the visit and the perfect place for an extended stay.