A Weekend in Firenze
Written by Katie February 4, 2015
This open, modern market is a favorite gathering space among locals and tourists alike.
I spent the past weekend in Florence—a city infused with history, art, and Italian culture. After a long day of classes, we boarded the bus at 5:30pm on Friday and had a three-hour drive to Prato. Upon arrival, nearly 60 CIMBA students scurried off the bus to take a train to the hostel in Florence. We wandered the streets and eventually made our way to the Lion’s Fountain, a popular pub for international students.
The following morning, we began a full day of sightseeing and exploring. We headed straight to the Duomo in the heart of the city. I stood in awe at first glance and had difficulty processing how massive and ornate its structure was. The view atop of the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Flore was well worth the 463 steps we climbed. We rested at the top and passed the time taking pictures and enjoying the sight.
We stopped for a lunch break at Gusta Pizza, which is deemed as ‘the best pizza place’ in Florence. I ordered the Calabrese pizza and it was baked to perfection with tomatoes, spicy salami, basil and mozzarella.
With satisfied stomachs, we walked uphill to the Piazzale Michelangelo. Once we reached the top, the city of Florence sprawled out below us. We enjoyed live music and panoramic views of Florence and the surrounding Tuscan area despite the occasional raindrops that fell from the sky.
We headed to the renovated Mercato Centrale in the city center of Firenze. As I strolled through various shops, I was entranced by the aromas of Italian cuisine, the hustle and bustle, and the vibrant, lively atmosphere.
Later that night, a small group of us decided to visit one of Florence’s most popular clubs, Space Electronic. It’s safe to say I got my exercise as we walked over 15 miles on Saturday alone!
Our last day in Firenze was devoted primarily to shopping and strolling the streets. We visited the Ponte Vecchio, which is Florence’s only surviving medieval bridge stretching across the Arno River. Besides offering an incredible view of the city, the bridge is lined with shops selling jewelry and leather goods.
Luckily, we were also able to visit the Academia at no cost as it was the first Sunday of the month. I marveled at the sheer size of the statue of David. Perhaps what I found most incredible was the fact that Michelangelo created him using only one block of marble.
One of the things I liked most about Florence was the opportunity to reflect on the talented and creative artists whose work has survived centuries. Other than these attractions, we scoured the city in search of the tastiest gelato. I discovered my new favorite combination of flavors, menta e stracciatella.
Florence was a beautiful city overflowing with history and amazing architecture. This weekend allowed me to realize that not having any set plans is liberating. Travel is sometimes better left unplanned and the fun comes from figuring it out as you go. Check back next week for updates on my trip to Il Carnevale di Venezia!
