Girls' trip and family reunion
Florence – La dolce vita in the cradle of the Renaissance.
During my studies to become a certified translator, I spent several months as an au pair with a wonderful family in and around Florence. I immediately fell in love with the city and its special atmosphere – and knew: One day I would return. In 2022, that time finally came: A girls' weekend in Florence – yay!
Reunion in Florence – with old memories and new friends.
My two best friends joined me for our girls' weekend in Florence – and they had never met before. Of course, I was a little apprehensive about whether it would work out. But after just a few minutes, it was clear: This was going to be great.
Our apartment, La Casina, was a real find – charming, cozy, and with a view of San Miniato al Monte. Plus, it was within walking distance of the city center, so perfect for exploring Florence at a relaxed pace.
After unpacking, I headed straight out for a very special reunion: my first meeting with my former au pair family in over 15 years. I was incredibly nervous… and my Italian was more than a little rusty. But when I saw the daughter again—five then, now 27—everything came flooding back. We hugged each other, tears flowed, and we couldn't stop talking. Luckily, she, her brother, and her mother also speak English, so communication was a breeze for everyone.
We then dedicated the next few days entirely to exploring – and Florence once again completely enchanted us.
Food and city center
We spent the next few days exploring. For lunch, we went to "Il Bargello," right next to the Palazzo Vecchio. The food? Wow – simply fantastic! Superb quality, typically Tuscan, great service, and fair prices. We shared many dishes – appetizers, pasta, meat – a real feast. My tip: Definitely make a reservation!
The city center is always crowded, no matter the season, but the atmosphere remains unique. Florence is simply something special. The gelato is heavenly – the Florentines really know how to make it. You can easily reach everything on foot: the Duomo, the Arno, San Lorenzo, various palazzi – all absolutely worth seeing.
Of course, in all the hustle and bustle, I'd forgotten something again – my flip-flops. So off I went to San Lorenzo. There are countless shops there, which used to have really great fashion. Now, unfortunately, it's mostly leather goods, no longer Italian-owned – they all sell more or less the same things. So the shopping was rather disappointing.
In the evening we only had a small meal, then we fell into bed exhausted – a day on foot is really tiring.
Another highlight: strolling and having lunch at Santo Spirito. A small market takes place there, just five minutes from the Giardino. You can sit outside and enjoy delicious food.
Since we were so impressed by the Italian cheese – especially Pecorino with Chianti – we went back to San Lorenzo. There's a large market hall there with food and a few souvenirs. On the lower level, you can find everything your heart desires: pâtés, oils, balsamic vinegar, salami, cheese – we did some serious shopping!
Florence is and always will be a place close to my heart – full of history, pleasure, and emotion. And this weekend with my friends was simply unforgettable.
Michelangelo Square
The next morning dawned gray and rainy. Nevertheless, one of my friends bravely accompanied me to one of my favorite places: San Miniato al Monte and the Piazzale Michelangelo. Even in the rain, the view of the city from up there is simply breathtaking. It's especially beautiful in the evening when all of Florence is illuminated. The rain cut our trip short, but we quickly grabbed breakfast at a small bar and enjoyed a really good coffee in the dry.
Boboli Gardens, Pitti Palace and the Uffizi
A wealth of culture – and what a highlight!
When the sky cleared again, we set off once more – the Uffizi Gallery, the Boboli Gardens, and the interior of the Duomo were still on the agenda. A weekend is simply far too short.
I've been to Florence many times, but never to the Uffizi. The queue was always too long for me. This time we were lucky. And what can I say? The Uffizi is indescribable. The second floor alone is so overflowing with art that you'd need hours to take it all in. The ceiling paintings alone are so detailed that you could probably spend weeks there. And then: Botticelli's "Venus." Goosebumps.
After a few hours, two of us had had enough – culture makes you thirsty and tired – so we went to sit down and have a coffee, while the third member of our group continued exploring the exhibitions. In the evening? Back to Il Bargello. And once again, an absolute delight.
Sunday in the countryside
On Sundays we went to the Boboli Gardens (entry is free on the first Sunday of the month, by the way!). You can wander around there for hours – beautifully landscaped, with small and large statues, surrounded by greenery, with a fantastic view of the Pitti Palace and the dome of the Duomo.
The Palazzo itself was extremely crowded again, so we skipped it. Instead, we strolled back to Santo Spirito, had a delicious meal, and enjoyed a relaxing end to the weekend.
Finally, at the Mercato Centrale we bought cheese (Pecorino with Chianti!), pâtés, oils, balsamic vinegar and salami – a piece of Tuscany to take home.
Cathedral and Campanile
...and, fully loaded down, we set off to see the inside of the Duomo: closed! Oh well, then we'll try again the next morning... the next day it was indeed open, BUT there was a queue that went all the way around the cathedral, which was a bit much, so the Duomo remains on the girls' list. Nevertheless, you can already see a lot of impressive architecture from the outside; the Baptistery opposite the Duomo is particularly beautiful with its golden door (which I once had to give a presentation about in school). Entry to the Campanile costs around €10; I was up there many years ago, and it feels like there are 500 steps, so a head for heights definitely helps... since I wasn't good with heights, I struggled a bit.
Well, and then it was sadly time to say arrivederci. The time was far too short, but unforgettable, thanks to the right company and the perfect city. A presto Firenze, ci vediamo!
From woman to woman
For anyone interested in history, architecture, art, culture, and good food, Florence is a must-see. There's a truly special atmosphere, and the people are cheerful and welcoming. Even though it's becoming increasingly touristy, it's still well worth the trip. Traveling alone as a woman? Absolutely no problem, but as is generally the case, you should keep an eye on your valuables in crowds. Florence, like the rest of Italy, isn't exactly a bargain, but you'll immediately feel welcome and at home. It's always worth a visit; highly recommended.
Or perhaps you'd prefer to go straight to Bali.
