Best travel tips for your weekend in Italy and Europe!

Coming from two UVA students who studied abroad in Florence for six weeks and squeezed in weekends to Rome, Venice, Amalfi Coast, Nice France, Sicily, Taormina, Switzerland, Lake Como, Cinque Terre, and Tuscan vineyards — here are the travel tips we wish someone had told me. From beach clubs and trains to rooftop drinks and boat days, we learned how to make the most of every moment. Keep reading for the real-deal tips!

#1: Get in touch with people you know who have studied abroad!!!

One of the best ways to uncover hidden gems and avoid tourist traps is by asking friends or classmates who’ve studied abroad. They’ve already navigated the same train systems, figured out which cities are worth the hype (and which aren’t), and probably have recommendations for everything from the best croissant in Paris to the easiest beach town to visit from Florence.

Plus, they can give you realistic expectations about how much you can actually fit into a weekend without burning out. Don’t be afraid to reach out.

I’ll even include my master list below 😉

#2: PLAN IN ADVANCE

As soon as you have your semester schedule, I suggest you start planning your weekend trips right away. Booking early can save you a lot of money on trains, flights, and accommodations, and helps make sure nothing amazing sells out. After arriving in Florence (or wherever you’re studying), block off your weekends and start filling in travel plans based on what’s realistic with your class times.

Don’t forget to make reservations too, future you will absolutely thank you when you’re sitting down to dinner at a top-rated restaurant that books out weeks in advance.

Bottom line: plan in advance, and your weekends will be so much smoother (and cheaper).

#3: Choose destinations that are easy to reach from your home base—but not necessarily from the U.S.

Take advantage of being in Europe by picking places that would be expensive, time-consuming, or tricky to visit from America. Think small towns, underrated cities, or even lesser-known islands that don’t have direct flights from the U.S. but are just a quick train or budget flight away from your study abroad city. For example, while you can always go to Paris later in life, a weekend in Nice France, Cinque Terre, or the Amalfi Coast might be much harder to pull off once you’re back home.

Prioritize those hidden gems that are at your fingertips now.

#4: Don’t overpack your weekends—leave time to wander.

It’s tempting to cram in every museum, viewpoint, and TikTok-famous spot, but the best moments often come when you don’t have a strict agenda. Leave space in your weekend itinerary for spontaneous stops: a local market you didn’t know about, a café you stumble upon, or just time to sit by the water and take it all in. You’re not just checking cities off a list—you’re actually living in Europe for the semester.

Give yourself permission to slow down and enjoy it.

BRITT’S MASTER LIST

If you’re reading this, I’m seriously so excited for you. Studying abroad in Florence is such a special experience, and I hope you make the most of every second. Enjoy the food, the views, the slow mornings and spontaneous adventures. Soak it all in—you’re in for an amazing few months.

Starting with Florence Recs:

Breakfast and lunch in Florence:

Shake Café– My go-to spot for iced coffee and healthy wraps or salads—perfect when you need a break from pasta and pizza.
La Milkeria– amazing iced lattes and breakfast food.
Melaleuca Firenze– Cutest spot on the Arno, had the best cinnamon bun of my life and the Turkish eggs were so good, must go.
Rivarno Café– Good coffee, tasty food, perfect for a quick breakfast or casual lunch.
All’Antico Vinaio– Very touristy, but the hype is real, amazing sandwiches. Worth trying at least once!
Pino’s Sandwiches– Pretty good sandwich spot, but not my favorite
Sandwich Chic– Yummy sandwiches with unique flavors, definitely a fun twist on the classic panini.
Panini Toscani– So good, my favorite sandwich shop in Florence! They let you sample the meats and cheeses before you order, which makes it even better.
Gusta Pizza– So yummy and totally worth the hype. Expect a line, but it’s shorter if you go for a late lunch or early dinner.

Nicer restaurants in Florence:

Acqua Al 2- So good and reasonably priced. I got the salad sampler (3 salads) and loved the mushroom ragu. My friends got the pasta flight—5 mini portions from the menu—and the blueberry steak is a must-try. Also had one of the best tiramisus of my life, cheap house wine too.
Lo Scudo – Right by the Duomo with a chill vibe and reliably good food. It’s the perfect dinner spot before a night out. I had the gnocchi with pear, gorgonzola, and truffle — so good.
Il Teatro – Relaxed spot with great pizza and lasagna. They offer a buy one, get one free bottle of wine deal for students, which makes it a go-to for a fun, affordable dinner.
Trattoria Zà Zà – A little touristy but definitely worth trying once. The truffle gnocchi is amazing, and you’ll need a reservation for dinner.
La Giostra – Slightly touristy but absolutely amazing. The ambiance is dreamy, and the food is next level. I split the tomahawk steak and pear ravioli—both unreal. Don’t skip the rice ice cream dessert. Totally worth the splurge.
Trattoria 13 Gobbi – A local favorite with amazing food, though the service can be hit or miss. The rigatoni served in a soup bowl is a must, and they have great protein options too.
La Bruschetta – Very good food with even better service. I had the blue cheese steak and spicy tomato cream gnocchi—both were delicious. Must get the Mozzarella flight. They even gave us limoncello shots and dessert on the house!
Golden View – Upscale spot right on the Arno with stunning views. I went with my mom and we loved the wine, fish, and meat dishes. On the pricier side, but great for a special night out.

Drinks!!

The Arts Inn – My favorite bar ever. It’s tiny, covered in art, and run by a guy named Flavio who handcrafts each cocktail with serious care. It takes him 15 minutes to make one, but it’s so worth it — and surprisingly affordable.
Rinascente Rooftop – Gorgeous rooftop on top of the department store with views over all of Florence. Perfect for a drink and a snack while shopping.
Red Garter – A karaoke bar I loved! Super fun energy, and you get a free shot if you sing. What more could you want?

🛍️ Florence Shopping Recs

Brandy Melville – Surprisingly great Florence merch and cute basics.
Zara – Always a win for affordable, trendy pieces.
La Rinascente – Iconic department store with everything, plus a rooftop bar!
Santa Maria Novella Pharmacy – A must-visit. Historic since 1221, stunning, and full of luxurious perfumes and skincare.
Desigual – Bold, fun fashion pieces with a European edge.
Vintage Galleria – Scored a vintage Gucci clutch here for €120—worth digging through!
Desi Vintage – Great vintage selection with some real gems.
Essere Atelier – Got custom pajamas here—super soft and personalized.
Le Labo – Luxe perfumes, worth splurging on a signature scent.
Nomination – Build-your-own charm bracelets—we added a charm for every city we visited. Such a fun keepsake!
Massimo Ravinale – Got a tie for my boyfriend and a silk scarf for my purse. Amazing quality, made in Italy, and affordable.

Nail, Beauty, Fitness Recs in Florence:

Urban Beauty – A small, chic salon perfect if you’re looking for detailed nail art and long-lasting gel manicures (mine lasted 4–5 weeks!). It’s a bit more expensive, but totally worth it for something special.
Papaya Nails – Affordable and super convenient if you’re nearby. They’re fast, simple, and great for a clean gel manicure without the extras.
Benefit Brow Bar (inside Sephora) – My go-to spot for eyebrow waxing and threading. Clean, professional, and easy to book.
Local Pharmacies – Don’t skip them! Many carry amazing European skincare brands like Caudalie and La Roche-Posay for way cheaper than in the U.S. I found so many hidden gems just browsing around, also makes good gifts.
Florence Fitness (GYM) – This gym was right outside my apartment, which made it super convenient. You can get a monthly pass, and while it’s nothing fancy, it had everything I needed for a solid workout while abroad. Perfect if you want to stay active without going far.

My Traveling…

🇫🇷 Weekend 1: Juan-les-Pins & Nice, France

We stayed in an Airbnb in Juan-les-Pins, just 10 minutes from Antibes and a quick 30-minute train ride to Nice. The beaches were dreamy, and we spent both days at a beach club with great food and chill vibes. The journey there was chaotic—our 7-hour train caught on fire, and we ended up on a random bus… but we made it!

Must-visit: Restaurant Baba – right on the beach and so good.

🇮🇹 Weekend 2: Amalfi Coast

Favorite weekend! We stayed in an Airbnb in Amalfi and did a beach club one day, but the highlight was our 6-hour boat day with Sea Swans (€600 total — 100% worth it). We swam, cruised the coast, and soaked it all in. Took a train and a ferry super easy transportation.

Lunch: Pizzeria Donna Stella in Amalfi — an absolute must.
Dinner: Positano evening with drinks at the iconic Le Sirenuse.

🇮🇹 Weekend 3: Sicily

We stayed in Catania (wouldn’t recommend — not super nice), but visited Taormina, which was gorgeous and where White Lotus was filmed. Had to fly there but flights were affordable.

Drinks: Raya (great vibe)
Dinner: La Romana in Taormina – amazing pizza + wine
Hidden gem: Etenea Rooftop in Catania – beautiful and surprisingly great

🇮🇹 Weekend 4: Tuscany, Venice, Rome

Friday: Field trip to a Tuscan winery with a 5-course meal + wine pairing — highly recommend doing one even if it’s not for class!
Saturday: Venice – My favorite city of the whole trip. It’s calm, magical, and the food and vibe are unmatched. We stayed overnight in a hotel and had the best drinks at the St. Regis, followed by an incredible dinner at Impronta. Could not recommend it more!
Sunday: Rome – hot, chaotic, but incredible sights. We hit the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Roman Forum.

🇨🇭🇮🇹 Weekend 5: Interlaken & Lake Como

Best weekend ever. We booked transportation through Smart Trips and stayed at Adventure Hostel—highly recommend, they have fondue parties every night in the front yard. The vibe was so fun with great food, games, and an awesome community feel.

In Interlaken, we went hiking and paragliding—the views were unreal and truly felt like a dream. After the adventure, we headed to Lake Como to unwind with gorgeous water views, charming towns, and the best pasta. 1000/10.