Ponte alla Carraia and the Arno A peaceful view along the Arno River toward Ponte alla Carraia, with Florence’s elegant riverside palazzi lining the Lungarno. The soft Tuscan light, calm water, and historic architecture capture a quieter side of Florence away from the bustle of its most famous landmarks. This is the view closest to my apartment in the San Frediano neighborhood!
Palazzo Corsini al Parione The magnificent Palazzo Corsini rises along the banks of the Arno, one of Florence’s most striking Baroque palaces. Its warm golden façade is crowned by an ornate rooftop balustrade decorated with classical statues and terracotta urns. The sculpted figures, inspired by the classical tradition, give the roofline an almost theatrical quality and make the palace especially beautiful when viewed from across the river. I was surprised to see the statues up so high!
Florence’s Bridges Over the Arno Two of Florence’s most beautiful bridges span the Arno River: the iconic Ponte Vecchio (“Old Bridge”), famous for its centuries-old shops and jewelers, and the elegant Ponte Santa Trinita (“Holy Trinity Bridge”), known for its graceful Renaissance arches. Together, they create one of the most unforgettable views along Florence’s historic riverfront.
Always nice to take a break with a tasty gelato from La Carraia!
Not just great pizza here….also great entrees cooked by Chef Mohammed!
Restaurant owned and managed by Dante himself!
Dante has taken care of this restaurant for 20 years! I visited this lovely place about 3 years ago. Nothing seemed to have changed. Inside is a beautifully decorated interior with pleasant music.
I was served a focaccio before my dinner on a large plate prior to the arrival of my chicken entree!
Simply “buonissimo!” The chicken had an amazing flavor!Inside Trattoria Dante, a fresco of Dante and his beloved Beatrice overlooks the dining room, adding a touch of Florentine literary history to the restaurant’s charming old-world atmosphere.In the 2nd and 3rd photo are Dante and his employee, Jasmine, 25 years old and worked at Dante for only 3 months. She was very pleasant and efficient! I was surprised with complimemtary yummy cookies after dinner!
Fireworks celebration from Piazzale Michelangelo and visible from along the Arno River.
June 24th, I decided to head out around 9:00 pm to the local famous Gelateria La Carraia since it was close to my apartment and a beautiful evening. There was a long line but I didn’t mind. I knew it was the day of celebrations for the Feast of San Giovanni holiday ( to honor the patron saint of St. John the Baptist), including parades and evening fireworks.
I did not expect to attend the fireworks, just get delicious gelato. Suddenly, I engaged in conversation with a very friendly woman named Maria who teaches optometry. She also spoke english very well and invited me to come along with her and her husband across the bridge along the Arno river to watch the fireworks!
Happy locals during San Giovanni fireworks, including me!Crowded but joyful experience to watch amazing fireworks!
One of many spectacular views from Bardini Gardens
I was determined to see these gardens last summer! I decided to take a taxi and walk through them alone. I was surprised at the beautiful walking path and how easy it was to take my time to enjoy a variety of greenery and views that were amazing!
There was even find a small pond with large koi fish! Another hidden gem for me!
These Koi fish made me smile!
If you don’t feel like walking to this marvelous display of nature, take a taxi to the main entrance of Costa San Giorgio 2 or Via de’ Bardi 1R, 50125 in Florence, Italy (in the Oltrarno district). Otherwise, you can take a short walk from the Michelangelo Square (Piazzale Michelangelo).
Meet Lucia & Marco! I have been friends with Lucia for quite a few years! Met her boyfriend, Marco, and both of their families about two years ago. I first saw Lucia when I was trekking on foot from Michelangelo Square. She was working in a small souvenir shop and extremely friendly! We exchanged contact information and she wanted me to return to Florence the following year to meet her family. Sadly, I lost the information. Then about a year passed and I decided to search for her on Facebook. I never forgot how friendly she was! Incredibly, I found her account! That is how a lasting friendship continued. We send each other holiday cards and always talk on Instagram or WhatsApp.
In the summer of 2025, Lucia, Marco, and I got together for a lovely dinner and ride to Michelangelo Square at night.
Enjoying dinner and a lovely evening trip to Michelangelo Square with Lucia & Marco!
Lucia was kind enough to take this photo of me in the Piazza della Signoria with the gold statue of “Time Unfolding,” created by British contemporary artist, Thomas J Price
Galleria Commerciale with over 40 stores inside MIlan Central Station in Milan, Italy
Learning how to navigate in a city filled with friendly people and fun places to visit!
✨ Latest update added May 31st — scroll down for new slideshow photos!
Part I: Important International Travel Tips!
Travel insurance is always a good idea to purchase for comfort in case of lost luggage and/or delayed flights, etc. (CSA is a good one —-> CSA Travel Protection
Register with the US Embassy on their website. —> step.state.gov/step/ This is an important step to take in case your passport is stolen. If that does occur you will be able to go to the nearest US Embassy in the city you are staying and they will assist you.
Make copies of your passport to place in luggage and carry-ons for the flight
Take at least two credit cards and a check debit card with you. (Do not bring a savings account withdrawal card! It does not work in international ATM machines.) Many merchants prefer cash for purchases but credit cards are good for emergencies or larger purchases. Make sure to contact the credit card companies prior to leaving for your trip to let them know the dates of travel and check the fees for international purchases. When contacting your bank about the check debit card inform them of how much money you plan to withdraw on a daily basis. (On my first trip I didn’t realize why I couldn’t make a withdraw from a bank ATM machine. I contacted my bank from Florence, Italy and was told that I had to give them a heads up of a daily withdraw amount. ) Make the amount higher than what you plan and you shouldn’t have any problems.
Contact credit card companies companies, and especially, your bank, prior to travel. This avoids the chance that your bank will reject an amount you withdraw from your checking account.
Purchase Euros Before Your Trip? – Maybe not! Here is my take on the whole euro exchange/prep thing. I have talked to people who think it is a great idea to purchase a “starter” pack of euros from a travel agency. However, my personal experience was a travel agent in the US told me to pay a “fee” for a certain amount of my US dollars to be converted into euros. The amount purchased would either go up or down, depending on the international exchange rate for the moment. So, if I was given three hundred euros, there was a chance that the worth in US dollars would be less by the time I got to Italy. The other option was to go to an exchange booth either in the European airport or final destination. I learned quickly that the exchange booths attach extra fees on top of the fee for exchanging your US dollars. My tip: Go to the ATM machine at the airport you first land in. Do not use the exchange booth in the airport or any European city. Exchange booths charge exorbitant fees and you will walk away wondering how you lost over $100 of your money in the transaction!
ATM Machines: It is very important to use an ATM machine that is associated with a bank. If you use a random ATM machine on the street you will find your final bank statement with a fee of at least $30 or more dollars attached to each transaction! Of course, your bank will automatically attach a fee for each transaction but it will be much lower. (For my bank it was $5 per transaction.) Furthermore, take out a larger amount at one time so that you don’t have to keep returning to the ATMs!
ATM Scam Alert: Each time you use an ATM machine always cover your hand as you are putting in the security access code. There are tricky little thieves all over the world who have discovered ways of randomly replacing the cameras in ATMs and/or stick gadgets within the machine to steal your information. For a closer look at these scam methods check out this website: https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/3875481/atm-scams-money-criminal-tamper-card-machine-steal/
Leave copies of your planned travel itinerary at home along with credit card numbers and security codes for yourself and family members in case of an emergency. While it can be time consuming, it is worth the effort.
Luggage Tags and locks: While there are no guarantees that your luggage won’t be lost, it is better to lessen the chances of this happening by protecting each luggage piece, including your carry-on, with special tags that can be tracked, such as a SmartTag (This is sold on Amazon for both Androids and iPhones.) and TSA locks or ties. Purchase special covers for your Passport and credit cards! RFID blocking sleeves can be purchased sold Amazon. They will protect your information from being scanned and provide great identity theft protection.
Special plugs for outlets: Prior to your trip make sure to purchase special plugs designed for European outlets to charge cell phones, use laptops, etc. Don’t bring an american hair dryer like I did on my first trip! The European outlets are not equipped to handle the wattage and you may find yourself in a situation similar to mine where the circuits over load and suddenly all the electric is kaput! (I was scolded by a hotel employee. Lesson learned!) Not to worry! Most hotels and other rentals are equipped with hair dryers.
Places to Stay
If you are not planning to go with a tour company and being bused to various hotels, renting an apartment is a great idea! Being on your own and staying in an apartment is a much more relaxing way to visit a city. Airbnb.com – I love this website for finding places to stay in Italy at reasonable costs! I have used it a total of four times and never been disappointed. You can find a reasonably priced apartment for your vacation with air conditioning, WIFI, a washer, and even Cable TV! People rent out their apartments all year long throughout the world. In Italy, there are many to choose from. Just be sure to do it months in advance if you are planning a summer trip. Summer is “high season” for Italian hotel and apartment renters. The nice places get booked up quickly.
Cozy kitchen in a lovely apartment in the Romana District of Florence, Italy
Airbnb includes a great option to add filters so you can easily narrow down your search with how much you want to spend, the amount of rooms, etc. There are also reviews from previous tenants and it is very easy to communicate with the apartment owners through messaging on the website. By the way, many of apartment owners speak English in case you do not understand any Italian!
Letzia, the apartment owner of where I stayed in the Romana District in June 2025, treated me to a lovely breakfast at a local cafe!
Taxi!
When I visited Florence for the first time with my mother in August 2013, we became lost for over an hour on foot. (Previously, the tour guide from Trafalgar said it was easy to find our hotel since all the streets were around the Duomo in the center of town. This was not true for us!) After walking continually for over an hour in circles, I decided that it was best to hail a taxi. Little did I know that the reason all the taxis sped by and ignored my frantic waving was because that getting a taxi in Italy is not the same as in the United States! You must either go to a specific area that has taxis stationed there or use a phone to call ahead. That is why I am hoping to help you avoid any experiences like mine by clicking on this highlighted link of —>taxi locations which will help you find a taxi station area that is convenient for you in Florence….or you can just call for one! Phoninga taxi can be a little tricky because after pressing the button for English you will hear an advertisement and then a fast-talking voice of an operator who may or may not speak English that well. These taxis are very high in demand, especially during the “high season” of summer. Therefore, it is important to know the correct address of where you are standing. I had many great experiences and only a few problems with Florence taxis. One year, a problem arose when I took a taxi to a tanning salon (Yes, I said tanning salon…I just wanted to try it.) The ride there was great! However, when I telephoned for a return ride, the operator appeared to have trouble understanding my location. It took over a half hour for the taxi to find me! Here are a few taxi phone numbers: 055.4242, 055.4390, 055.4798 Another option is to use a new taxi app on your cell phone! I have never tried it but I certainly will on my next trip! This may be used on an iPhone or Android: it-taxi-app Personal Experience\Taxi Tip: Many of the taxi drivers speak very little English but they are skilled drivers and will understand how to get you to the proper destination. (I had many conversations with taxi drivers in Florence and each one was courteous and dedicated to their job.) You do not need to tip them. If you are planning to take a taxi from the Florence airport, a ride to the center of town will be a flat rate of 20 to 22 euros plus 1 euro per piece of luggage. A nice way to show appreciation is to round up the fare to the nearest euro. Frequently, I tipped an extra euro if I felt a driver was super friendly.
Last summer, I took a tour in the middle of Florence, that is very low in cost but high in interesting information about the history of a family owned store which created the Biscotti di Prato. These famous biscotti cookies originated with Antonio Mattei in the mid 1800s. The tour was easy to arrange online and when I arrived I was welcomed warmly and given a cup of water. When the rest of the tour guests arrived a table was setup with biscotti cookies in cups and Vin Santo wine for dipping. I cannot even express in words how delicious these cookies were. Other soft, round sweet cookies were given in a small dish – just right with a cup of coffee! I would loved to have brought some home but I was told they would only stay fresh for a day or two. You can order their cookies online at the website: https://www.antoniomattei.it/it/chi-siamo. The staff tried to call a taxi for my return trip to the apartment but none were available. I decided to walk! They were so kind and gave me a yummy, complimentary muffin to take with me.
Cooking in the Chianti Hills with Luca & Lorenzo
Luca took a large group selfie! I am the blonde third from the left next to Lorenzo! (June 2025)
What an amazingly fun and informative cooking tour this was! Lovexfooditaly is comprised of Luca and Lorenzo, two friendly individuals who live in the Chianti Hills of Tuscany! They run an all day cooking tour from their beautiful home! It starts at the Santa Maria Novella train station in Florence. Lorenzo usually comes to greet everyone and rides the train with tour groups. He talks about the founding of their incredible business. Upon arrival at the destination, not far from their home, people are divided in two separate cars for a final ride. Luca and Lorenzo are not only knowledgeable about Italian cooking, but extremely hospitable and funny!
A lovely view from Luke and Lorenzo’s home!Lorenzo explaining the tour & history of lovexfooditalyLucca guiding the group on how to make tiramisu
When our group was brought to their gorgeous home, it was a full day of cooking, laughter, and enjoyable conversation. We started out with learning how to make tiramisu on their front porch at a long table. After that there was wine and some tasty snacks. Then we all went inside to participate in making our own pasta. This was so much fun and a real challenge for me! I never knew how much work it took to make the dough just right by using a rolling pin. Seeing their adorable pets was also a nice experience! One of their cats was a beautiful Maine Coon and one of their cute Jack Russell terriers accompanied us to the kitchen. The final treat of eating what we created was amazing and delicious! Luca and Lorenzo are so much fun and a delight to visit. I highly recommend visiting their website and following them on Instagram! Just go to https://www.lovexfood.com/cooking-class-in-tuscany/ to discover more information.
Meeting Michel & Roberto in Milanfor Their Pre Wedding Dinner
Such fun visiting Michel & Roberto in Milan!
On a beautiful, sunny day in June, it was a pleasure to take a nice train ride from Santa Maria Novella station in Florence back to Milan. After checking in to a local hotel I met with Michel, my dear friend and Italian language tutor. Prior to my trip, Michel invited me to a special pre wedding dinner referred to as a “bachelor party,” minus the traditional American all male festivities. I was fortunate enough to be part of a formal dinner consisting of a small group of cherished friends to celebrate the upcoming wedding of Michel and Roberto!
Prior to the special dinner, Michel proceeded to give me a “mini” tour of the local area of Milan. We walked and walked through the streets, eventually arriving at the lovely apartment of Michel and Roberto.
Duomo of Milan
All I can say is “Wow!” Michel and Roberto’s apartment was artful in itself! Michel showed me how he had been responsible for designing all the foliage that aligned the stairwell and pretty little white roses closest to the lower level.
The inside of the apartment did not disappoint as it was displayed beautifully with white furniture and other special designer décor. I especially marveled over one of Roberto’s personally designed light fixtures! After our jovial conversation, we discussed the best way for me to travel from the hotel to the restaurant in the evening since the taxis were on strike.
The next series of events seemed to be a large test of my ability to handle a bit of stress. It began with getting on the wrong underground subway to get to my hotel! Luckily, a nice young man assisted with directing me immediately off the subway and led me to the correct ride back. This cut into my time to prepare for the dinner, which is always manic when a woman is trying to look their best! However, imagine something worse than that….. As I happily made it to the front hotel entrance, my mind was working quickly and I decided to call an Uber. (I thought it would be better than walking in a long dress with heels for a half hour to the restaurant!) I felt relieved for a moment. But, as the Uber pick up time quickly approached (8:30 p.m. and the dinner was at 9:00 p.m.), I realized that I had left my special gift up in the hotel room. It was a painting of the happy couple created by my daughter.
The reservationist was kind enough to promise holding the Uber driver if they arrived. After I rushed back down in the elevator, a message appeared on my phone, saying the Uber had cancelled…at 8:31 p.m. Ahhhh! I immediately called Michel. Thankfully and incredibly he calmed me down and picked me up in his mother’s car!
Do I look stressed in that photo or what?
I must say, whatever unnerving transportation events occurred that day, they certainly left my mind quickly when I arrived at the gorgeous Brera restaurant in St. Mark’s Square. A small group of Michel and Roberto’s friends were waiting outside the restaurant and greeted me as if we were long time acquaintances. Inside, the atmosphere was beautifully tranquil with plants and lights through out the restaurant – an ambience of perfection. The dinner was an experience I’ll never forget. Thank you Michel and Roberto for being who you are and welcoming me into your lives with friends that I will always cherish.
Happy to be in Supertrans shuttle on the way to Newark airport in NJ.
My trip this year was a bit topsy-turvy, complete with travel issues and a sprinkling of lovely moments! The time for enjoyable moments were cut short due to horrendous flight situations that I never experienced before during my seven years of international travel.
It started with a flight delay in London Heathrow airport on my way to Milan. My original plan was to take a train to my rented apartment in Florence from Mila. Unfortunately, choosing a flight that was cheaper with a short layover did not work out. When I chose this flight back in December 2021 I knew it was risky but I went by the advice of other travelers who experienced short layovers in London. This gave me the confidence to purchase a cheaper ticket . Unfortunately, I soon discovered that this year was the year for airline troubles!
After I arrived in Heathrow airport in London, I scanned my ticket at the machine to enter customs and suddenly a large bright X appeared on the screen. An airport employee looked at my ticket and directed me to Iberia customer service (My arriving airplane was the Iberia company run by British Airways, which was a bit confusing to me.) After waiting in line for at least a half hour, I was told by an Iberia customer service representative at the counter that I was in the wrong line and to go to British Airways customer service instead. My heart sank as I looked over at the terribly long line.
After waiting in line for at least a half hour, I was told by an Iberia airline employee that I needed to go to British Airways customer service instead. My heart sunk as I looked over at the terribly long line. But, I had no other choice at the moment!
Heathrow Airport British Airways Customer Service Nightmare!
Another half hour passed and my legs ached from standing. When I reached the counter, I was told that I had to switch my morning flight to 8:40 p.m. at a different airport in Milan. I pleaded my case in desperation saying that this flight change would cost me the first day in my apartment and more money to rent a hotel in Milan at 11:30 p.m. The customer service rep at the counter said that the alternative was to risk being a “stand by” for 12:10 p.m. with no guarantees my luggage would be at Malpensa airport (My original airport in Milan was Linate.). I wanted to cry! As I approached customs, a security official told me to take all fluids out of my purse, even though they were within TSA limits, including mascara! That situation seemed to set the precedence for the rest of the day.
Me, feeling hungry and tired at an airport restaurant.
I had trouble even finding a hotel in Milan for that night as the flight was due to arrive at 11:30 p.m. I searched the internet for what seemed forever before finally finding a nice hotel that had a shuttle. While waiting for an entire day at Heathrow airport, I chose a restaurant to get a bite to eat but the choices were not part of my new healthy eating plan. So, I settled for something that seemed a bit healthy. A plate of eggs, avocado, mushrooms, and a type of sausage. It looked good but after consuming only part of the meal my stomach felt heavy. Even the ice tea was too sweet for me. However, talking with the waitress, who was very friendly, made up for it! She told me she loved Florence, Italy!
Attempting to eat healthy during a long layover!
I tried to think positive since I was able to at least get an overnight stay in Milan and my dear friend and language tutor would meet me at the Milan Central train station before I went to Florence the next day. But waiting for hours in an airport is not the most fun, especially when you are traveling alone. However, I did manage to meet a lovely young lady from Texas and her 4 year old daughter. We talked for at least two hours!
Finally on an 8:40 p.m. flight headed for Milan!
It was difficult to find a hotel room for the evening in Milan. My original airport was Linate, but the changed flight put me at Malpensa airport, which is farther away from Milan Central train station. Luckily, I did find a hotel through Booking.com and after several phone calls I was able to secure a shuttle to and from the hotel. At least that was a relief. Unfortunately, this hotel did not have a late night place to get food and I had to settle for something small out of a vending machine for the evening. Again, I felt so hungry! The next morning, I was able to take the hotel shuttle to Malpensa airport to get a bus to the train station. When I arrived at the train station Michel Altieri, met me! It was such a great feeling to see my friend again! He even bought food for me and surprised me with beautiful gifts!
A lovely croissant from my dear friend and language tutor, Michel at the Milan Central Train Station
Next! Part 2- a quick tour through Milan, Italy with Michele!
One of my guilty pleasures in Florence happens to be shopping, especially for discounted jewelry! It’s light enough to carry back in my suitcase for souvenirs and in this delightful area there is quite a bit of variety to choose from. This year, as I strolled along the surrounding streets near the main Duomo it was fun to once again see and hear all the different types of people bustling about. The pandemic seemed to never have existed! I never grow tired of browsing in different stores, but I always return to my favorites from previous years. It makes me happy to visit old friends and I am just as happy to meet new friends!
One of my new found friends is Marta, who worked at Colours & Beauty. This brightly lit store filled with my favorite types of necklaces, earrings, etc., had been in the same location for quite a few years. As I walked into the store I saw this attractive young lady with such a friendly smile that I couldn’t resist greeting her in Italian! Marta and I had such a nice conversation (in both Italian and English) that I almost forgot to shop! Marta said she loves Americans, which I thought was so sweet. As I left, we agreed to keep in touch with each other on Instagram. Unfortunately, Marta informed me recently that Colours and Beauty is no longer in business. It is one of the many stores that were negatively affected by the dreadful pandemic. Marta had transitioned to working for an American oil field company and they downsized as well. At this time Marta remains optimistic hoping to find an even better job. I know she will! Her intelligence and willingness to learn will guide her. For now, Marta says is doing well. Her English language skills have improved beautifully! I hope to see her this year when I return to Florence!
Marta & I doing the Selfie thing!
Accessorize is another fun store of jewelry, purses, and even baby clothes! I go there every year to purchase items for my daughter and it is still in business. The employees always remember me and this time they enjoyed posing for me in a few photos! I was hoping they would remove their masks but the store policy did not permit it. However, for a quick moment I was able to convince one pretty woman to become “maskless” for a photo of her artistically designed arm!
Accessorize is located within only a few minutes walk from the Baptistery in Florence. Here is a link to the website—> https://www.accessorize.it/
When I attended a four hour Italian language class at Michelangelo Institute in the mornings, I frequently stopped at Caffe’ Michelangelo for my coffee break. It was conveniently located about a block away from the school. Marco, the owner, would welcome me each and every time as if I were part of his family. Along with Marco, I was able to meet his aunt, and another dedicated employee, Rita , who worked efficiently in this lively little café which has been on the street of Via Ghibellina 116R, for 20 years.
Sometimes, as I stopped by to visit for my usual ice coffee, I was even given treats to take back to my apartment! One day I was given fresh watermelon chunks and another day a delicious pasta meal. Occasionally, I was happy to be able to bring along a few friends from my language school who also enjoyed this quaint, cozy coffee house.
One afternoon, towards the end of my stay in Florence, I couldn’t help but ask Marco how his business had fared during the pandemic. He came to my table and seemed anxious to explain the details. Luckily, while many other restaurants closed permanently in Florence, his café closed for only three months during the pandemic. When permission was granted to open, new rules were required for patrons, such as only being able to stand to have a beverage and food. Marco claimed he had lost 75% of his business and gained back only 20% the following year in 2021. I was so glad to see this lovely café’ still open.
I plan to visit Marco and his café’ again this year in June 2022! Thank you Marco! You are a treasure (tesoro)!
ValVentures 