This blog will tell you about a wide variety of places in Europe and what to do and eat in each place!

FLORENCE, ITALY (THE BEST AND MOST MAGICAL PLACE IN THE WORLD)

THINGS YOU HAVE TO SEE: 

The Duomo- in the center of Florence and it’s the biggest church in Italy- you will walk past it a million times- at one point, climb to the top of it because the view is so worth it

• Make sure you check out the gold door that’s close to the Duomo! (it’s not the real one, but it’s famous)

Ponte Vecchio- the most famous bridge in Florence- you’ll walk over this a million times too- amazing view- surrounded by stores that sell gold and jewelry

The David- did not disappoint- it’s incredible- it is in the Academia Museum and you can buy tickets in advance because the line to get in gets really long

Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens- the palace is filled with famous artwork- one of my favorite places to go was the Boboli Gardens because it’s a fun and relaxing place to go with and chill with friends. It’s a giant garden that looks magical. You can bring a blanket and wine and just lay there forever

Leather Market- THE BEST THING TO EVER EXIST. First, learn how to bargain and know which pieces are actually leather (smell and feel it). Second, if you want a leather jacket you have to go to MASSIMO because he’s the best in the business. Tell him you are friends with me, Ally Simon, because he loves me and we are BFFS. His store is on Borgo La Noce (put it in Google Maps)

Market Centrale- this is a hidden, local spot right in the Leather Market- tourists don’t really go here and it’s filled with locals. THEY HAVE THE BEST PIZZA I’VE HAD IN ITALY (beats Gusta Pizza by far)- Every type of food you could want and crave is in here and so fresh. Also try the caprese there (buffalo mozzarella, tomatoes, drizzled in the best balsamic)

 Piazza della Repubblica- one of my favorite piazzas with a lot of live music- it’s right in the center of Florence and it has a merry-go-round- explore the famous cafes here- it’s also a great shopping area- if you need a hotel, stay in Hotel Savoy (in Piazza della Repubblica)– it’s the best and nicest hotel with the best location

Piazza Santa Spirito- I love this piazza- it really makes me get the feels of Italy- also THE BEST RESTURANTS are in here- I will say which ones in the food section- it is where the church is (where Michelangelo and Galileo were buried)- such a nice piazza to just hangout in, eat and listen to music

The Uffizi- the most famous museum in Florence so it is good to go to- filled with Renaissance paintings

Literally, walk everywhere and keep your eyes open- always something new and incredibly beautiful to see. Every street in Florence is unique, so cool and so quaint. There are so many hidden restaurants or gems- always be down to explore because you can never see it all or get bored- you’ll quickly figure out why Florence is a magical place and why it’s my absolute favorite place in the world

LUNCH PLACES (HEAVENLY):

 All’Antico Vinaio- my favorite- I literally went here all the time- the biggest and most delicious sandwiches- definitely the most famous lunch spot in Florence- the sandwiches are HUUGE- I’m obsessed with the vegetarian sandwich with added mozzarella to it- incredible. They just made another All’Antico Vinaio across the street because of how crowded they get- the line is always long, but it goes by quick so make sure you stay there! SO worth it. Make sure you drink wine with your sandwich because wine is always the move in Italy

Gusta Pizza- this is the classic pizza place that everyone talks about- really, really good pizza, but it’s always packed- definitely have to go here because it’s a classic- it’s across the Ponte Vecchio bridge- order the pizza in a heart! I love this place…but I think the Market Centrale has much better and authentic pizza so I went there so many more times that Gusta

Dinner Restaurants:

Aqua al 2- famous for its really good balsamic steak and blueberry steak-

La Giostra- some people say it’s the best, others say it’s overrated- it’s expensive- either way it’s a famous place, so if you go get the burrata with honey and grapefruit appetizer- also the pear ravioli is out of this world- the owner has silver bangles up and down his entire body for every woman he has slept with…interesting

 Il Teatro- great, fun, inexpensive Italian family style place where you go with a group of people and each person pays 20 euro- they bring you 3 courses- they’ll keep bringing you food and wine so you get very full and very drunk- cool place to try

 Il Profeta- authentic Tuscan place, known for performance- more expensive of a restaurant, but very worth it- owned by a cute old Italian couple who treats you really well- get the John Travolta Special (amazing vodka sauce with fat noodles) and get the chocolate desert

4 Leoni- across the bridge- has a good pear ravioli- also the cheese and honey appetizer and cheesecake are delicious