Studying abroad in Florence, Italy, quickly made us realize we had been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our educational and personal growth. Unlike at any other time in our lives, we stepped into a new country with a new culture and way of life. None of us has ever been to Italy before coming here in January, so this experience brought us a whole new level of responsibilities to juggle – balancing classes, social life, traveling, and new cultures. We knew this adjustment would be different than other times in our lives when we were starting a new semester at school, yet we were all excited to begin our journey in Florence. 
Upon arrival, we were quickly blown away by Florence’s beauty and history. We got lost in the cobblestone streets, stumbled upon small businesses, and started to get the lay of the land where we were now living. Although it took a few weeks, we were able to understand the flow and new ways of living. Having our home base in Florence was amazing – the culture, food, customs – everything was exactly what we were looking for.

#1: Brocco

Our apartment is tucked away in Piazza dei Ciompi, only a few blocks away from Santa Croce. Walking out of our apartment, we are greeted with a beautiful piazza, parks, restaurants, and shops. Our favorite restaurant in the square is Brocco, a corner cocktail bar and restaurant. It’s just a thirty-second walk away from our apartment, and the tables outside make it a perfect place to share stories over a 5 euro spritz. As we’ve gone here often, we have gotten to know the people who work there, and we often chat about our days as we wait for our drinks. It has been so nice to have a small restaurant right outside of our apartment to go to for a cheap, delicious drink!

#2: Piazza Dei Ciompi Market

Every weekend, there is a market in Piazza dei Ciompi, where vendors sell handcrafted jewelry, clothing, art, and trinkets at very affordable prices. We have been able to collect locally made souvenirs that will always remind us of where we lived in Florence, as well as the beauty of shopping locally and supporting small businesses. Especially as the weather has gotten nicer as we creep into spring and summer, more and more vendors pop up in the market each weekend, and it will always be one of our favorite activities to walk around and shop.

#3: Piazzale Michelangelo

On the hill of San Miniato holds a beautiful spot overlooking the city of Florence. One copy of Michelangelo’s David statue stands tall as visitors stand out on the terraces and take in the beautiful views of the city. We have been up there many times, often taking a bottle of wine and some food to sit out and relax. With all the commotion in the city, walking up to the piazza gives us peace and a sense of relaxation while offering one-of-a-kind views of Florence. 

#4: La Milkaria 

Our favorite cafe in Florence is just a ten-minute walk from our apartment and a few blocks from Piazza della Repubblica. The baristas at La Milkaria are welcoming and kind. The coffee tastes just like home – if not better!- and the pastries, like crepes and waffles, are a tasty breakfast. La Milkaria is not just a cafe, on Saturdays they are open late and serve gelato and other desserts. From morning to night La Milkaria has been a cafe we all frequent and will definitely miss it!

#5: Labí

Born in the heart of Florence, Labí has become our favorite local boutique to buy clothes, bathing suits , jewelry, bags and other accessories. They handmake and sew every piece of clothing, while also selling a few local brands. They offer tailoring for any garment, they create custom bags which are ready within days and often do pop-up’s with other brands. The owners and women who work there are extremely kind, and everytime we pop in they always ask us how we are, and make conversations. They have told us their story and background of Labí and it’s clear that they are all very passionate about their store and their mission – creating one of a kind garments with locally sourced materials. We have all bought so many things from Labí, and are so sad we won’t be able to keep shopping from them soon!