Angela and I arrived in Florence, Italy during October 2021. We considered November but my friend Jean Claude told me November weather can be tricky.
Turns out September and October can be spectacular. With global warming the grape harvesting season is weeks earlier. So early to mid September may be optimal.
We landed in Venice and took the train to Florence.
The transfer to the train station in Venice was just a 15 minute bus ride from the front door of the airport. Very easy.
If you land in Rome it is just as easy to get to Florence. Either way the journey is about 2 hours. You can fly straight into Florence as well.
At the time we flew from Atlanta to Venice as it was the best round-trip air fare to Italy. On the arrival we took the first train out on the same day from Venice.
Booking it this way allowed us to budget a couple of days in Venice on the way out. A simple way to experience two cities.
Florence deserves 5 days at a minimum to drink it all in. I could stay for weeks and just scratch the surface.
We stayed at the Donati Towers VRBO. Angela found it and hit a home run. The towers are original to around the 13th century and are fully renovated. We absolutely loved this apartment.
The legend of the building is that Dante of Dante’s Inferno lived in this building.
I can’t say enough about these apartments. Years ago I lived in Europe and traveled most of it. For me feeling like you are at home and not in a hotel is the whole nine yards.
The experience of feeling like a local is what makes the trip great. Stefan and his bride do a great job with the apartments they host.
If you happen to book with them let them know you read this article and let me too. I would love to hear about your experience.
Check out this Vrbo rental:
https://www.vrbo.com/10825778ha?unitId=5856265&noDates=true
Here are a couple of shots of the views from the apartment. It is on the 5th floor and above most of the ancient rooftops.
Covid…we took our proof of vaccine cards and had no problems.
Shopping….
Tip #1
When traveling to Europe take ONLY a small suitcase with just enough to get by.
Once there, buy what you need/want and then buy a small suitcase and fill it with your purchases. You’ll save on checked bag fees and pay for the suitcase. Thanks to my friend Paul for that tip.
I am a wanderer and historian. Show me the places with historical significance. Let me hike ancient trails…but no trip to Florence would be complete without the experience of shopping…especially for women.
Women love to shop.
Let me say that again…they LOVE to shop. I have had to learn to enjoy sitting and waiting….and waiting.
I am convinced the art of people watching was invented by men waiting on their wives while they shop. It is just part of the joy of the journey.
The women in my family have a hard time passing a single shop without stopping.
They don’t have to buy…they just have to see and experience what’s for sale.
We got lucky on our trip. Due to a very short plane change in Atlanta Angela’s checked bag didn’t make it and it was delayed catching up with us for a couple of days.
She filed a claim, kept the receipts for clothing and miscellaneous supplies and went on a shopping spree compliments of Delta.
What a glorious experience to shop til you drop in Florence on Delta!
She filed her receipts and they reimbursed every penny 🙂
Italians are masters at displaying merchandise and Florence is famous for it’s local leather goods. Prices are much lower than buying the same leather goods items in the U.S. And the quality and beauty of the leather goods is beautiful.
In comparing leather prices between Rome and Florence…if you shop it hard Florence seems to be the best place for leather.
Food..eat lots..and don’t feel guilty about it.
In the end you will walk most of it off. Most days in the city it is common to walk 7 to 10 miles if you are being the good tourist.
Yes it is all about the Gelato. It is true. I would make the trip for the ice cream alone 🙂
Hunt for the best Gelato like a rabid dog…
I will write much more. This is just a first attempt. My goal with these highlights is to plant seeds and make it easy for you to make the trek on your own.
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