Studying abroad in Florence was easily one of the best decisions we have ever made. Not only did we get to live in one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, but Florence also ended up being the perfect home base for traveling around Europe. During our time abroad, we visited places like Mallorca, Barcelona, Valencia, London, Cinque Terre, Prague, Nice, Venice, Rome, Lake Como, and Malta.
Why Florence Was the Best Home Base
Florence gave us the perfect balance of feeling like we were actually living in Italy while still being close enough to travel almost every weekend. The city itself is walkable, full of history, and has amazing food everywhere you turn. We loved that Florence felt big enough to always have something to do, but small enough that it started to feel like home.
Another reason Florence was such a great study abroad location is how easy it was to travel. We were able to take trains to places like Venice, Rome, Cinque Terre, and Lake Como, while also using nearby airports to visit other countries. Being based in Florence made it possible to see so many different places without feeling completely disconnected from our home city.
Our Favorite Florence Spots
One of our favorite restaurants in Florence was Aqua al 2. It quickly became a place we all loved because the food, atmosphere, and experience felt so special. Whether we were going for a nicer dinner or showing visitors one of our favorite places, Aqua al 2 was always a top choice.
For sandwiches, we each found our own favorites. Mallory’s favorite sandwich shop was All’Antico Vinaio, which is one of the most famous spots in Florence for a reason. Camila’s favorite was Lo Schiacciavino, a more niche sandwich place she discovered and loved. Finding smaller local spots like that was one of the best parts of living in Florence.
Mallory Como’s Personal Review
For me, studying abroad in Florence was the perfect mix of adventure, independence, and getting to experience a new culture. I loved that Florence became our home, but we still had the chance to travel to so many different places. My favorite weekend trips were London and Lake Como.
London was one of my favorites because it felt exciting, familiar, and different from Italy at the same time. There was so much to do, from sightseeing to shopping to going out at night. Lake Como was also one of my favorite places because it was beautiful, relaxing, and felt like one of those places you see in pictures but cannot believe you are actually visiting.
Florence was the best place to study abroad because it gave me both the comfort of a home base and the opportunity to explore. I would recommend studying abroad in Florence to anyone who wants a city that is beautiful, easy to walk around, full of amazing food, and close to so many other travel destinations.
Camila Sanchez’s Personal Review
My favorite part of studying abroad in Florence was how many different experiences we were able to have in such a short amount of time. Florence was the perfect city to live in because it felt charming, safe, and easy to get around. It also made traveling to other places really convenient.
My favorite trip was Cinque Terre. The views, the colorful towns, and being by the water made it one of the most memorable places we visited. It was the kind of trip that felt relaxing but still exciting because every town had something different to see.
I also loved finding my own favorite places in Florence. One of my favorite discoveries was Lo Schiacciavino, a smaller sandwich shop that became my go-to. Studying abroad is not just about the big trips; it is also about the little routines and places you find that make the city feel like your own.
Emily Harmon’s Personal Review
Studying abroad in Florence was such an unforgettable experience because it gave us the chance to live in Italy while also traveling all over Europe. I loved that Florence was beautiful and full of history, but also easy to make feel like home.
My favorite trips were Prague and London. Prague was one of my favorites because it felt so unique compared to the other places we visited. The architecture, views, and overall vibe made it stand out. London was also one of my favorite trips because there was so much to do, and it was fun to experience a completely different city atmosphere.
Florence was the best home base because it gave us the perfect mix of culture, food, travel, and everyday life. Some of my favorite memories came from both the big weekend trips and the smaller moments, like walking around Florence, getting dinner at Aqua al 2, and spending time with friends.
Additional Content:
Favorite Places We Visited While Abroad
Final Thoughts: Why Study Abroad in Florence?
Studying abroad in Florence gave us memories we will never forget. It was the perfect place to live, learn, travel, and grow. We got to experience Italian culture while also visiting cities and countries we had always dreamed of seeing.
Florence was more than just the city where we studied. It became our home away from home. From our favorite restaurants and sandwich shops to weekend trips across Europe, this experience taught us how much there is to see outside of our normal routine.
If you are thinking about studying abroad, we would absolutely recommend Florence. It is beautiful, walkable, full of amazing food, and one of the best places to use as a home base for traveling. Studying abroad here gave us the perfect mix of comfort, adventure, and once-in-a-lifetime memories.
