What a pleasure it is to be back in Italy. I can’t explain why, but something about this country feels so right to me. The weather, history, beauty, language, art and food all combine to create a perfect atmosphere that feels like home. Here are my first impressions of Florence Italy after my initial walk-a-bout towns.
Clean!
I am so impressed with how clean Florence is. And not just the historical core where all of the tourists are. My first Airbnb is located in a residential area about fifteen minutes away from the boundary of old town. There is no garbage, hardly any graffiti, clean shops, no overflowing garbage cans.
The impact this makes on first impressions is huge. Compare this with Marsala in Sicily where there was garbage strewn everywhere and the feeling is night and day.
Historical
Oh my gosh, this city is breathtaking and oozing history from every building, façade, statue and fountain. It feels like I have stepped back in time, and in fact I have. I am seeing Italian Renaissance architecture for the first time and it is enchanting.
Crowded
Even though it is shoulder season, the city is heaving. Not early in the morning, my favorite time to be out on the streets. But by around 11am and for the remainder of the day it is unbearable for me.
I don’t do well in crowds, I don’t feel safe and I like being able to protect my imaginary bubble of space around me. I can’t do that here by midday. Now this doesn’t come as a surprise, I was expecting this after having experienced Rome in 2018 in November.
Expensive
Another thing to be expected being such a popular tourist destination. Food in the grocery shops is what I would expect to pay, however restaurants are really quite high. I will definitely be on the lookout for the less popular and more authentic places where the locals are eating. I will not be waiting in queues for an Instagram famous affogato or a glass of wine handed through a small window. That is not my vibe and frankly I cannot afford it even if it was.
Beautiful
I cannot express how beautiful this city is. There is something in the air, an ephemeral quality that is difficult to describe. Beauty fall into ones lap here, there is no need to search for it. This city has a magical essence that I am so excited to explore and absorb.
Can you tell I am impressed with Florence? I am not sure why I have not visited this city before now. It has always been on my radar, but I had no idea how lovely it actually is. I have a few tickets purchased in advance, to galleries and museums, there are things I must see, on this initial visit to the city. I’m beyond excited to be here, and am revelling in my first taste of Tuscany.
