“No matter where or why you travel there’s always something wonderfully new to be found.”
Dear Florence,
Wow, we underestimated you! We thought we’d stop by quickly as we traveled between Tuscany and Sardinia. While we can appreciate art, we aren’t that into it so we only planned on staying a day and a half. Instead, we didn’t want to leave and wished we had a few more days to explore. We can’t wait to return!
Although it was short, we were able to take in several of your beautiful sights. Our first stop was to admire the beautiful views of Ponte Vecchio bridge.
What a unique bridge! We stopped along the road to enjoy the view and visualize how you would have looked throughout different periods of your history.
We loved admiring your beautiful bridge during sunset as the sun accented your beauty.
However our favorite time to view this beautiful sight was in the evening! We loved practicing our night photography skills here. The reflections on the water and the illuminated buildings were breathtaking!
We loved the various snacks your city has to offer as well. Our first pit stop was to Perche No to taste your gelato!
We loved walking down your narrow streets admiring the views and enjoying this delicious treat!
One of our best treats was the prosciutto platter at La Proscuitteria. Brian was in heaven!
The platter accompanied with a refreshing glass of Prosecco was the perfect pairing for lunch!
We loved the view points your city has to offer as we walked from the city center up to Piazzale Michelangelo.
When we reached the top and saw the views of your city, we were blown away! When we return, we will come up at sunset. We can only imagine how stunning night photography would be up here!
We loved our stay at Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni Hotel. The rooms were beautiful and the location was perfect! Just a short distance to your main squares! We loved the historical feel of your building, it was consistent with the charm of your city that we were in awe of.
We were blown away by the breakfast this great hotel offered!
Such a delicious spread and the views on the patio while we ate was the perfect way to start the day!
Brian had some of the best prosciutto and mozzarella during the entire two weeks we spent in Italy in your great city at this hotel! He couldn’t get enough!
In the evenings, we would enjoy cocktails on your other rooftop terrace with views of the Duomo, such a staple to your skyline!
We also practiced our night photography from the breakfast patio as well! It was great to see your contrasting views of day and night!
We loved spending time in the Piazza della Signoria. Although we did not go inside any of your art museums, we admired the sculptures around the square!
Although it is gruesome, our favorite sculpture was in the Loggia dei Lanzi.
It was so detailed and unique!
Although we weren’t able to view the real thing, we were happy to see a replica of “David” in the square that we could admire and appreciate his detail!
We loved how you had water fountains throughout your city. We especially appreciated the fountain that offered both natural and sparkling water! What a treat!!
The Florence Cathedral was simply stunning from the street! When we return, a trip inside and a climb up the Duomo will be top of our list!
It was so hot during our trip in July! We loved stopping to enjoy your signature cocktail, the Spritz, in the afternoon!
Thanks for the short, but wonderful glimpse into your city! It’s always great to leave a place and want more. We certainly did not experience enough of you and we can’t wait to return!
Until we meet again…..
~Amanda
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36 comments
Amanda what an inspiring post about Florence. When we were there for a day on cruise it poured and we missed a lot the places you shared here. Only gives me more determination to plan our next trip for a time of the year when the weather is mild and tourists few so we can experience as much as we can. Thank you for linking up with us here at #TheWeeklyPostcard
Unfortunately you cannot control the weather, sorry to hear you did not have luck during your cruise stop. Hope you make it back and can explore the beautiful city!
So pleased you liked Florence and that you saw what a beautiful city it is. Perche No gelato – oh yeh. We ate so many there.
We found ourselves in Perche No a couple times each day 🙂
We had the same experience! Our plan was to travel Italy north to south with a short stop over in Florence, but we left Rome early just so we could head back to Florence and spend more time there. There is something special about this city, and it was definitely my favorite in all of Italy. And the food. I ate so much amazing food in Florence!
Yes, there is certainly something special there. We found it to be the most romantic of all the Italian cities we visited! Lucky you had the flexibility to fit in some extra time there on your trip.
Can you imagine if you had visited some of the museums? I could spend a whole day just at Uffizi! We went into Florence knowing there was much more to enjoy than we had time for, but it was still overwhelming. Which means we obviously need to go back! Thanks for sharing your awesome experience – and the great photos! #WeekendWanderlust
When we return, we would like to actually go inside the Uffizi! The buildings were so gorgeous from the outside we can only imagine the treasures we would find inside. Glad to hear we are not the only ones putting a return trip to Florence on our travel list!
Your post about Florence made me sad. I was scheduled to go there this October but had to change my plan because of my dog. What a pity I’ll miss all these…
Sorry to hear you had to change your plans. Hopefully you can fit Florence into a future trip!
That prosciutto platter looks absolutely divine. I’ve been to Florence twice. The last time was as a quick 8 hour shore excursion while on a Mediterranean cruise. My husband and I practically ran through the city to cover everything we wanted to see. I felt like I was on the Amazing Race. We had the best gnocchi ever there, too. Florence definitely merits a return visit.
LOL, although it’s not preferred sometimes the only way to see a place is running through. We look at it as a nice preview until we can go back and really enjoy & explore!
I’m with you – not really into art – but completely mesmerised by Florence.
Glad to hear we aren’t the only ones!
What a beautiful tribute to Florence! I love all those photos, too many to name a favorite! It must be so amazing to live in one of those houses over the bridge. I loved the views from the terrace of the hotel as well. Looks like you had a fabulous time! I really hope we’ll get to see Florence in person some time, within the next five years or so 🙂
Thanks for visiting Florence with us! When you get there in person, highly recommend the hotel we stayed at for the views!
[…] 1.Dear Florence, We Underestimated You! by Amanda of Eat – Work – Travel – Oh Florence.. What a gorgeous city it is! I had visited Florence with my girlfriends a few years ago and without any doubt, it was the highlight of our trip. The cute little streets and the gorgeous cathedral, it’s like the place is frozen in time. I’d go back in a heartbeat! […]
That cathedral looks stunning! Also, the platter and the prosecco seems like plenty of reason to visit Florence. I love when places that you don’t expect much from on your travels blow you away and become highlights! Just goes to show that there’s so much in this world that we have yet to see! Thanks for sharing your amazing photos!
We loved Florence and love food in Italy. Somehow pasta just tastes better there! If you like Italy and Italian food- go to Bologna. It is amazing!
I agree pasta, prosciutto and cheese just don’t taste the same to us now that we’ve returned. Brian really wanted to get to Bologna however we just couldn’t fit it in on our trip. It is definitely high on our list when we return to Italy! Thanks for the tip!
Beautiful pictures! Florence looks like a dream. My boyfriend and I are headed there this November; now I am really torn if I should add a few more days. Lovely trip!
Have a wonderful time in Florence! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Such beautiful photos of this gorgeous city! I went to Florence about four years ago with work. I was helping to arrange an exhibition stand at a conference and spent the majority of my time in the exhibition hall. I only saw a small part of the city at night when we went out to eat. You’ve made me realise what a wasted trip that was. I missed the real Florence! #MondayEscapes
For us, work trips always sound like a great way to visit new places but unfortunately most of the time we are stuck in conference rooms. Hope you get the opportunity to go back and really see Florence!
I felt the same way after having gone for a night when I studied abroad in Germany during college. We mostly stayed in Rome but took a trip up to Florence for the night and had such an amazing time! I cant wait to do it over again and see so much more that I didn’t get the chance to see! #MondayEscapes
We were blown away with how much we enjoyed it, total surprise for us! Glad to hear you share our views!
I loved Florence too, and was only there for a day.
I like your photo of the bridge at night! Looks pretty.
Perche no, great name for a gelato place!
Thanks for the comments on that photo, it’s one of our favorites from our trip! Perche No was recommended to us while we were in Tuscany and they heard we were spending time in Florence, it was delicious!
Ah…I visited Florence for a day and half many many years ago and indeed there is so much more to see in the city! I particularly like the Duomo…it has so much detail!
Going inside the Duomo is high on our list when we return, we only admired it from afar. Glad to hear you enjoyed Florence as well!
This is a great post, I love when a place is better than you expect 🙂 So many great food shots too – Italian food is just incredible 🙂 Beautiful photos!
Thanks for stopping by! I agree, “Italian” food at home just doesn’t taste the same now that we experienced the real thing!
Florence looks just incredible and the view from the hotel is just breathtaking. I could sit there and look at the view for hours x
Indeed, stunning birds eye views all around the city!
What a great and fitting tribute to such a beautiful city. We were in Florence last November for a day and a half and felt the same way you did. We’d love to go back for a longer period especially during the summer. You certainly covered a lot during your short time. That prosciutto platter is amazing. I will need to look into staying at your hotel for those amazing views alone.
It looks beautiful there and that’s useful to know – the weekend trip I’m planning in my head has just been upgraded to a long weekend at the very shortest 🙂 #mondayescapes