Florence 3 Nights 4 Days Free Travel Course: Renaissance Art & Gastronomy Complete Guide (Days 1-2)

If you dream of traveling to Italy, Florence is a city you can never miss. This beautiful city located on the banks of the Arno River was the center of art and architecture during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. In particular, great artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli were born under the patronage of the Medici family, so its historical depth is indescribable. Let's follow in the footsteps of the Medici family and go to Florence. 💡 Travel Tip: If you know a little bit about the history of Florence and the Medici family, your trip will be much more interesting! Day 1: First impressions in Florence, full of excitement On the first day, we arrived in Florence a little late due to a train delay, but since Florence is such a small city, we had no trouble completing our schedule. Departure from Termini Station & Arrival at Hotel Nella: We departed from Rome Termini Station and arrived in Florence, and checked in at Hotel Nella (click for Hotel Nella review). Italian trains are often delayed, so it would be a good idea to give yourself some time when planning your trip. Late evening and Florence at night: It was a shame that not many restaurants were open because of the late hour and the rain, but I had time to soak in the city by walking around the quiet streets of Florence at night. Day 2: The heart of the Renaissance, overwhelming architecture and culinary delights Despite the cloudy weather, I spent the second day visiting Florence’s iconic buildings and enjoying delicious food. Breakfast at the hotel: I started my day with a hearty breakfast that was more delicious than I expected. The Italian coffee was especially great! Florence Cathedral (Duomo): Since it was my first time traveling to Europe, I was especially excited to visit Florence Cathedral. I couldn’t help but exclaim in awe at its grandeur and sophistication. Even though it was cloudy, the beauty of the cathedral could not be hidden by anything. (We postponed our visit to Giotto's Campanile because the weather was good the next day.) Location: Piazza del Duomo, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy Ponte Vecchio: After looking around Florence, we headed to Ponte Vecchio on the banks of the Arno River. The river water was murky due to the rain the day before, but the cute shops and beautiful buildings along the river were impressive. In fact, the view of Ponte Vecchio from the Trinity Bridge is prettier than Ponte Vecchio itself, so be sure to check out the photos we took on Day 3! Location: Ponte Vecchio, 50125 Firenze FI, Italy D'Auste T-Bone Steak: We tried T-Bone Steak, a must-eat food in Florence, at the famous chain D'Auste (click on D'Auste review). GROM Gelato: After the meal, we enjoyed gelato, an Italian delicacy. I ordered the caramel salt/yogurt and chocolate/pistachio combinations, and I especially recommend the sweet and salty caramel salt! Location: Via del Campanile, 2, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy Sleepless due to jet lag: I was going to rest for a while at my hotel because I was out and about so early in the morning, but I ended up sleeping soundly until the next morning! Thanks to this, I was able to handle the next day's schedule more energetically. On my first and second days in Florence, despite the train delays and bad weather, I enjoyed the overwhelming beauty of the Florence Cathedral and gourmet experiences like T-bone steak and gelato. I'll introduce more of Florence's charms in the next post!