Florence
Red-tiled rooftops, narrow streets, and a city layered with history.
Before this trip, I didn’t know much about Florence beyond its historical importance. I expected to learn a great deal, and I did. Walking through the city with our guides, it became clear how much history, art, and architecture are woven into everyday life here.
What surprised me was how enchanting I found it. Despite the heat, I loved wandering the narrow cobblestone streets lined with shops and restaurants, many marked only by a simple doorway. Florence felt endlessly explorable, compact, and alive— a place I would love to visit again.
Standout Moments
There always seemed to be another street to turn down, with shops and restaurants tucked among medieval buildings and statues.
This hotel was beautiful.​ Breakfast in the courtyard included espresso and pastries beneath the orange trees. The view from our room was a sea of red tiled rooftops, accompanied by the sound of church bells.
History and Culture
Florence’s culture felt especially alive because we were invited to participate in it. The kids created masterpieces in a flash painting class led by talented and exuberant artist Caterina Balletti, while the adults enjoyed a rather excessive amount of prosecco (I blame Stefan!). Later, we cooked our own farewell meal together during a hands-on cooking class— my first time making pasta and tiramisu from scratch.
What stood out most was the pride the Florentines we met had in their city. Our local guides spoke about Florence using “we” and “us,” even when referring to events hundreds of years old. It was a powerful reminder of how deeply people can belong to a place. One of our local guides, Brenda, shared the story of how her parents met because of the David. I loved this story— it sounded like the plot for a Hallmark movie!
Tasting the Region
We had dinner one night at a small trattoria tucked along a cobblestone street, and all five of us agreed it was the best meal of the entire trip. We ordered several pastas and a (massive, juicy) Florentine steak to share, and nothing was left behind. The food was outstanding, and the care didn’t stop there— our server noticed Chad looked wiped out and brought him an espresso. The look of joy on Chad's face was priceless.
Everyday food was on another level. Pizza for lunch was simple and delicious, and gelato became essential. Our local guide for the walking tour was thoughtful about the heat, keeping us in the shade when possible and rewarding our efforts with stops at her favorite gelaterias. Cold, vibrant, and refreshing, it was exactly what we needed.
What We Took With Us
Our final dinner was bittersweet as we enjoyed the the meal we had prepared together and said farewell to our travel partners from last thirteen days.
I had tears in my eyes when we left Florence. I didn’t expect that. I’m a homebody by nature and love routine, so I assumed I’d be ready to go home by this point. And in many ways, we were.
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But I wasn’t ready for the experience to end.
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Despite the inconveniences of travel— long days, disrupted sleep, unfamiliar food, and constant movement— the rewards far outweighed them for me. Seeing history with my own eyes, sharing this experience with this group of people, and feeling connected to places far from home changed something in me.
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It turns out I might actually love to travel. Who knew!