Visiting Florence doesn’t have to feel like a complete foreign experience, even if you’ve never visited the city before. Knowing a few tips and details on how Florence works is a good place to start if you want to feel like a regular from the beginning. Here are a few tips that will help you understand better the Florentine environment.
If you want to know your way, get lost
The city follows a few irregular grids, so not all streets follow the “urban block” system. The best way to know your way around is to actually get lost and to ask for directions. The gold ball on the top of the Duomo can be seen from almost any point in the city, so that could be your guide.
Try living like a local
One of the best ways to not feel like you’re just traveling is to stay out of the hotels and hostels and rent a room or apartment. There are many holiday apartments in Florence that could be rented at an affordable price. Just be open to the idea of having the local lifestyle.
Do as the locals do
Observation is key. See how locals act throughout the day and try to mimic them as possible. Be open to absorb the new sights, flavors, smells, and especially, attitudes… lots of attitudes.
Learn Italian… at least the basics
Sure, it’s not easy, but it will help you a lot in many situations where people don’t speak English. A few basic words can go a long way. You’ll probably pronounce things wrong at first and they might have a hard time understanding you, but Italians can be accommodating and still help you. After all, you made the effort to fit into their cultural style. With practice, you’ll see how much your pronunciation and vocabulary will improve.
Walk and photograph the city
The best way to experience Florence is by walking it. Also, bring your camera, as the city is beautiful in every corner. Having the photographer mentality will make you see things beyond from what you’ll see in a regular walk.
Know how to dine
Dinner has a full procession that includes more than just a few plates. Of course, portions are smaller, but the procession goes as follow: Appetizer, First Course, Second Course, Dessert, after dinner digestive drink, Espresso. In addition, before dinner, Italians have the tradition of drinking an aperitivo, a drink meant to open the palate.
Now that you understand a bit how Florence works and how to make your way in, do make your best to experience this breathtaking city in every sense of the word.
Florence is an amazing experience – not just because of Duomo and other architectural, artistic specialities – but also the feeling of elation you might get thinking, that right in the same place, the geniuses of Da Vinci, Michaelangelo et al lived and walked and painted and sculpted!
I agree Abhijit. The history and the historical figures that passed through that city give another layer of interest to Florence. Such an artistic place!
Great photos. I hope the Jersey Shore crew knew about before heading over to Florence.
Thanks Gerard! Now when you go to Florence, you must think… “What would Snooki do?” lol
I really like the idea of living like a local using the apartments but Florence also has some of the finest hotels in the world–so, a dilemma! Thank you for the guest post, Norbert…hope you’re enjoying Belize )
Thanks Charu! Oh yes, Belize is treating me too good!
Florence is one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. Love the pictures. How long where you there for?