The Moody Traveler Returns to Florence – Day 3

Fun Afternoon with a Dear Friend and Solo Dining
Prior to my 2021 summer Florence trip, my day trip to visit Michel, who also teaches in NYC

Meeting with Michel, my Italian language tutor and dear friend, was a pleasant surprise on my third day in Florence. Michel has guided me through my trials and tribulations of Italian language learning for about seven years. He is, and always will be, a kind and generous human being who I respect a great deal. On my third day in Florence, Michel took a train from Milan to see me and have lunch. Along with treating me to a lovely outdoor lunch at a very nice restaurant, Michel asked me to help him shop for a dressy men’s shirt. This wasn’t just any men’s shirt! It had to be perfect for a special occasion! During lunch, Michel surprised me again with news that he was going to propose to his special friend of several years at a beautiful hotel overlooking the romantic waters of the Amalfi Coast! After our shopping excursion we stopped at a posh candy store for a bit of chocolate and an espresso. (Please excuse the energy drink in the photo…haha. I drink them occasionally when traveling to stay awake!) It was a lovely afternoon!

Here is a link to a video Michel made for my daughter, Taylor: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NM0XmJn5ff0

Stylish Babae

My evening consisted of a nice dinner at a restaurant called Babae in the Santo Spirito area of Florence, the less touristy side of the Arno river.

Happy Owners of Babae!

I took a walk in the early evening after I left Michel. He had to return to his hotel to give a virtual language lesson and then take the train back to Milan. As I walked the streets near my apartment in Santo Spirito, I came upon the quaint stylish looking Babae restaurant. Almost immediately, I was greeted by a friendly, smiling host who seated me at a single indoor table in a more private area. I ordered a delicious meal of tuna and vegetables.

Nice wall art next to my table

Prior to my dinner being served, I had an enjoyable conversation with two young ladies from the United States.

Dinner with a little conversation and shortly after….excuse part of my meal in this pic!
Cooked tuna with sesame seed coating and veggies! Delizioso!
Love the other art work on the wall across fromt my table!
A light dessert with an espresso!

If you visit Florence, Italy this summer, I highly recommend visiting Babae restaurant for dinner! You won’t forget it!

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Author: vmcarson

Traveling has always been in my blood since I was very young. My family moved frequently to different locations throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey in the United States due to my mother's teaching jobs. As a young girl, I would accompany my mother on bus trips to visit her relatives in different parts of the United States. Throughout my younger years, I could only dream of traveling to Italy and being fluent in the language. My father was Sicilian but rarely spoke in Italian. In 2013, my mother took me on my first international trip to Italy. I felt so fortunate to see Rome, Venice, Florence, and other regions of Tuscany. At that time, I became determined to return to Italy. I was obsessed with discovering the most economical way to solo travel. Eventually, I took a chance and learned along the way to solo travel. I was able to return to one of my favorite cities in Italy, Florence. In this area, I have enjoyed studying the Italian language and familiarizing myself with the art and culture. Furthermore, I have gained a new inner strength and the ability to expand my life. Every year, I try to explore and write about my travel experiences. I have made many wonderful friends and found endless new places to explore. It is my pleasure to inspire other travelers to unhook the inner fears of trying something that seems impossible. The results are incredible! You may contact me at vmcarson@aol.com with any solo traveling questions!

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