By Janie Packman
Studying abroad in Florence has given me the opportunity to see so many incredible places. Below, I’ve reminisced on my experience traveling each weekend. Keep your eye out for recommendations and hidden gems!
🇮🇹Weekend One – Rome
Rome was a short, but incredible trip. We wandered past the Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and Colosseum, all before most of the city had even woken up. We set our alarms for 5 a.m. and explored the quiet streets as the sun was still rising. It was my first time staying in a hostel, and though our visit was brief, it was unforgettable.
🇭🇺Weekend One (Pt. 2) – Budapest
Budapest felt like stepping into a fairy tale, especially at Fisherman’s Bastion, which made me feel like I was inside a Harry Potter film. Between popping prosecco on a dreamy Danube boat tour and dancing the night away at the Széchenyi Baths party, the city exceeded our expectations. We made new friends from Germany at our hostel, and stayed up all hours of the night exchanging stories of our lives at home and the culture in our countries.
Food Recommendations:
- Pine Coffee – try pine cone syrup from Transylvania!
- Blueberry Brunch
- Wafu Sushi & Ramen
🐟Weekend Two – Lake Garda
Lake Garda was the definition of peaceful. The water was crystal clear, and the mountains framed the horizon like a postcard. We spent our days tanning on the beach and our evenings watching the sun set into the lake, gelato in hand. We really enjoyed watching a rowing race, hiking La Rocca di Garda, and seeing swan in the water.
Food Recommendations:
- Bar Luna
- Tortuga Cafe
- Gelateria Dante – the best gelato of the entire 6 weeks
- Caffe Centrale – lakeside view
🐚Weekend Three – Genoa
In Genoa, we stayed with a friend from school and got a glimpse into everyday life through his Italian friend group. We explored the coast, hitting Boccadasse, Camogli, Portofino, and finally San Fruttuoso, which ended up being our favorite. The beach there felt like a hidden gem, tucked between cliffs and only reachable by boat or hike.
Food Recommendations:
- Get focaccia
- Antica Osteria Di Vico Palla
- Lo Stella, Portofino
🌊Weekend Four – Cinque Terre
Cinque Terre was hands-down my favorite stop. We sipped Hugo Spritz buckets on the stunning Monterosso beach, hiked the coastal trail from Vernazza to Corniglia, and found absolute peace in the tiny town of Bonassola. The water there was so clear we could see fish swimming below us, and our waiter-turned-friend made us feel like locals, bringing us to small-town events we never would’ve found on our own.
Food Recommendations:
- Bar Malalbi, Bonassola – great aperitivo
- La Regina, Manarola – beautiful view of the town
- Get spritz buckets on the beach in Monterosso
🍋Weekend Five – Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast was the perfect mix of adventure and connection. We cliff jumped on our boat ride in Positano, danced on a party boat in Capri, swam as the sun set in Meta, and had a night out in Sorrento. We had amazing dinners back at our hostel, where we bonded with our roommates and kept adding new friends to the crew. I would highly recommend booking through Smart Trip if you want to go to the Amalfi Coast during your study abroad.
Food Recommendations:
- Book through Smart Trip – all of your breakfasts and dinners will be included in the price, and you eat family-style with the other study abroad travelers
🌞Last but not least, my home base – Florence
Florence became a second home, with sunset dances at Piazzale Michelangelo, quiet afternoons in the rose garden, and late nights at Volume filling the spaces between classes. I loved my courses and professors, and learned more than I expected, not just academically, but about independence and awareness of global culture. Most of all, the friendships I made here shaped the experience into something unforgettable.
Food Recommendations:
- Vivoli – best affogato
- Volume – my favorite aperitivo
- Trattoria 4 Leoni – try the pear pasta
- Misterpizza – the best 3 A.M. pizza you’ll ever have
- Cantina del Gelato – great gelato, but my personal favorite is their acaí bowl
- Osteria del Grano
- Alimentari del Chianti – great sandwiches across from the Pitti Palace
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Ciao,
Janie <3