travel diary: when your mornings smell like bread

hello loves

This is my first official travel post from my time in Europe. Today, I will be sharing all my secrets, recipes, and favorite shops from the city that has my heart: Florence, Italy. After living in Florence for seven months, I have learned how to be a local and now I will share what I have learned.

FASHION: how to dress Italian (with pictures)
In case anyone is studying in Italy next semester, loves Italian fashion, or just European fashion in general, here are some of my favorite aspects of Italian street fashion:

1. leather
If you are in Italy, BUY A LEATHER JACKET. Everyone in Italy wears leather jackets all year round. A leather jacket to an Italian is what black leggings are to an American. I would recommend buying one at an actual store, though versus one from a street vendor.

2. monochromatic palette
But who doesn't love a monochromatic palette? Italian street fashion consists of mostly black, grey or earthen tones with the occasional pop of color. Valentino red, perhaps?

3. bold makeup
As fair as hair, Italians prefer to keep their hair fairly natural: not a lot of flat irons used and many products cater to curly and wavy hair. However, Italians love bold eyes and colored lips. But with stores such as Kiko and IT Cosmetics where you can get top quality European make up for cheap, can you blame them?

FOOD

Italians have a passion for wholesome, fresh food and for good reason. There are fresh markets everywhere, no major grocers like you find in America. Here is a sample of some of my favorite Italian (tradional) foods!:

1. gelato
Is this even up for debate? Gelato is singlehandedly the best dessert in Italy, as well as Italy's passion. My personal favorite gelato spot is called Edoardo's in Florence right across from the duomo. My favorite flavor is cinnamon. Americans, if you don't have a trip to Florence booked any time soon, next time you want ice cream, I would recommend going to your local grocery store and purchasing Talenti Gelato: it IS different from regular ice cream. My favorite Talenti flavor is butter pecan, but they have over 30 flavors.

*cinnamon and apple with panna from Edoardo right in front of the duomo. My favorite!

2. Pizza and Pasta
it seems very sterotypical, but Italian pizza and pasta really is the best! Each region has their own versions, for example in Venice, they crack a fresh egg on top of the pizza while it's hot and then the heat and olive oil on the pizza cook it. Naples is known for margherita pizza. Rome has some of the best pasta dishes including carbonara and (my favorite) cacio e pepe. I highly recommend looking up the recipes for carbonara and caccio pepe becuase they are super yummy, super easy, and super traditional!

* from left to right: eggplant zucchini pizza from Vecchio Forno (my favorite pizza shop), Florence. Carbonara from Rome (Rome post to come!), Cacio e Pepe from Cacio e Pepe in Rome. Margharita Pizza from Dolce Salbado, Florence.

3. cappuccino
Again, as sterotypical as it sounds, Italian cappuccino is not a force to be reckoned with. Also it is very important to know not to order cappuccino after 10:30 in the morning! This is an Italian custom in all regions of Italy, and yes, you will get laughed at!

* left to right: espresso from Dolce Sabado, Florence. Cappuccino from Caffe Nannini, Florence. Cappuccino from (my favorite) Cafe Ricasoli, known for the cocoa powder fleur de lis on their cappuccinos. Cappuccino con Duomo from News Cafe (popular tourist spot, but you have to get this!)

4. Aperol Spirtizer
An aperol spirtizer is THE drink in Florence. What it is is prosecco, a sparkling white wine mixed with Aperol, a blood orange flavored liqour, and sparkling water. It is absolutely delicious, and it seriously does not get more Florentine than this. Americans: these ingredients are easy to find, so try to make it at home! If you have a trip to Florence booked, definitely head to a coffee shop near the Duomo and sip one near it.

ACTIVITIES

Obviously, do all the Florence touristy stuff: climb the duomo, go to Dell' Academia and see Michelangelo's "David", Ponte Vecchio, Boboli Gardens, ect. I have also attached some of my favorite hidden activities.

1. Poseidon Fountain
I highly recommend visiting the Gucci Museum. After you do that, head straight and you will run into the Statue of Poseidon. Here, you will also find the replica of David, as well as a bunch of other replicas of many famous statues. They have also very recently erected a giant golden turtle statue.

2. Zodiac Light
If you are looking at the Poseidon Fountain straight on, take a right and keep going straight until you see the river. Take a left and walk until you see a blue light. You will also see the lit up zodiac lights which are really fun to play hopscotch on. This light is right next to the Uffizi Gallery if you put it into your Map App.

3. La Sala Bianca
I would recommend visiting La Sala Bianca, Italian for "The White Room", one because it is beautiful, and two because many, many famous fashion shows have taken place here. It is located inside the Pitti Palace, and is about 12 Euros to enter, but well worth it.

4. Carousel in The Square
Walk down the famous Via Roma, past the Duomo and you will end up in a beautiful square. Here, ride the carousel. Do it once in the day, and once at night.

5. La Rinascente Rooftop Cafe
La Rinescente is one of the most popular stores in Italy. Think the Macy's of Italy. Head to the La Rinascente on Via Roma (directly across from the carousel noted about above) and head to the top floor for the beautiful rooftop cafe overlooking the square for a picturesque view of the duomo! (however, I will be honest here, the La Rinascente rooftop cafe in Milan is even more picturesque).

* left to right: La Rinascente Rooftop Cafe, Florence. La Rinascente Rooftop Cafe, Milano.

6. Piazzale Michelangelo
This one is hard for me to explain, so I would MapQuest it. Just be prepared to WALK. This is a square really high up on a hill and it offers a beautiful view of the city of Florence. I recommend going once at sunrise, and once at sunset and bring a bottle of wine.

7. Explore!
Find your own wonders. Florence is such a huge city filled with hidden gems from secret bakeries to beautiful, abandoned train stations in Baroque style. There are beautiful parks on every corner, and even the cemeteries in Florence are breathtaking. When I mean Florence is a huge city, I mean set aside a good 2-3 days to spend just exploring. Enjoy.

Whether you have visited Florence, plan on visiting or even studying there, or just love Italy in general, I hope you enjoyed my favorites and my tips.
xoxo
-A