3 florence travel tips


DRESS   free people pink ombre dress (also comes in blue and orange, wearing XS)   |   BAG   straw circle bag   |   SUNGLASSES   rayban sunglasses   |   EARRINGS   thin gold hoops   |   SHOES  ancient greek sandals

Last week, I had the chance to return to Florence after first visiting with my family over four years ago. And do you know what I loved most about it? The fact that nothing had changed! Except, happily, for the weather!

When I last visited, it was early March and with the cold temperatures, I had to be bundled up everywhere we went. But visiting in the summery month of June was indescribably more pleasant! Far more tourists, to be sure, but that downside was absolutely worth it when every meal could be enjoyed outside and all of the sites could be taken in without freezing!

Due to the warm weather, I decided this breezy pink ombre dress would be perfect for a day spent exploring outside. And I was right! If you’re traveling abroad during the summer, I can’t recommend packing plenty of day dresses enough… they’re so much easier, lighter and more comfortable than jeans. Plus, there’s just something whimsical and feminine about wearing a dress throughout an old, romantic city!

When I asked for Florence recommendations last week, so many of you responded with amazing, long, incredibly well thought out ideas and I am so thankful for them! Today, I thought I’d share 3 things I’d highly recommend to anyone visiting Florence! There are endless things to do, see and eat in Florence, but since I was only there for a couple of days I thought I’d share just a few things that aren’t to be missed!

Where to Stay – Airbnb! Instead of dishing out the big bucks for a hotel in Florence, you’ll get a lot more room and a much better location for a much lower price! I stayed in an apartment right above the Prada store on the very square the Duomo is located on. It was magical!

Where to Eat Coquinarious! For most meals, I’d pull up Tripadvisor to find something good and nearby, but this was the one restaurant so many of you recommended, so I made reservations beforehand! Andrew and I went with two of our friends, and we all could NOT believe how incredible it was! We all tried the cheese and pear raviolini (still dreaming about it), the burrata raviolotti with onions and pistachio (the dish I ordered!) and the wild boar pasta. To this day, this is the best meal I’ve ever had in Italy!

What to Do – There are endless things to do in Florence, but my favorite by far was enjoying the sunset from the Piazzale Michelangelo! Oh friends… please go do this. The walk to the top is quite the workout, so the second time we visited we opted for a cab. (Much easier!) The view from this gorgeous spot shows the river, the duomo, and all of Florence laid out in the distance. Get there before sunset to snag a spot on the steps, and wait until after the sun literally sets for the most beautiful sky you’ve ever seen! (We saw a lot of people leave once the sun actually set, but the gorgeous colors happen 5-15 minutes after the sun goes down! Here are a couple of images from one evening spent there…

what to do in florence

what to do in florence

DRESS striped cross back midi dress (wearing an XS, runs a bit small)   |   BAG   straw circle bag (I removed the pom poms)

Sigh. Wishing every evening looked like this!

Thanks again to each of you who took the time to send Florence recommendations! If you haven’t been, I hope you add it to the top of your wanderlust list!

Love from Texas,

Kate

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22 Comments

  1. Allie said:

    Those photos are lovely and that last view is breathtaking! What a lovely trip, thank you for sharing!
    http://www.theallthatglittersblog.com

    Published 6.15.17 · Reply
  2. Sophie said:

    Your dress is amazing. I want it. It give off perfect summer vibes.

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    Published 6.15.17 · Reply
  3. Sounds like a total dream!!

    Published 6.15.17 · Reply
  4. Great tips, you really seem to know what you’re talking about! Great post!
    xo,
    HER. Boutique
    http://www.herboutique.com

    Published 6.15.17 · Reply
  5. Kritsida said:

    Love this picture & Florence looks beautiful!
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    x. kritsida
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    Published 6.15.17 · Reply
  6. Maureen said:

    You’re making me jealous of your travels! I was in Europe in the spring but didn’t get to go to Florence but I really want to.

    https://maureengetsreal.wordpress.com/

    Published 6.15.17 · Reply
  7. Lauren said:

    Looking for a place in Florence now! Can you link the actual Airbnb you stayed in?

    Published 6.15.17 · Reply
  8. Gillian said:

    The tip I always give to friends headed to Florence is to climb the Campanile rather than a Duomo — glad to see you figured out how much better it is!

    Published 6.15.17 · Reply
  9. Lynna said:

    Love your dress & outfit<3
    It looks super fashionable! xx
    https://www.oneirojewelry.com

    Published 6.16.17 · Reply
  10. Wow love this! Thank you for sharing. We are thinking about studying abroad in Florence our junior year so we will definitely keep this suggestions in mind! Currently we are Sophomores at TCU!
    -ellie & grace

    Published 6.16.17 · Reply
  11. Beautiful look and cute pictures

    The Pink Pineapple
    New post:http://thepinkpineappleblog.blogspot.com/

    Published 6.17.17 · Reply
  12. Cool and nice outfit in a wonderful city ;)

    https://4highheelsfans.wordpress.com/2017/06/17/back-from-vancouver/

    Published 6.18.17 · Reply
  13. Marissa said:

    Hey Kate!

    Love love love your blog you’re super darling and incredibly classy- such a breath of fresh air in today’s world!

    I’m from Dallaa as well and will be going on a trip to Europe soon, I wanted your opinion on the best outlet converters. With this big Dallas hair I need all the advice I can get for keeping it FABULOUS overseas.

    Thanks in advance!

    Published 6.18.17 · Reply
  14. Sara said:

    Hi Kate! Your trip looked fabulous! I’m going with my mother in the beginning of March. What would you suggest packing? Thank you!

    Published 2.2.18 · Reply
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    Published 12.30.22 · Reply
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    Published 2.25.23 · Reply
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  18. tessi said:

    Wow love this! Thank you for sharing. We are thinking about studying abroad in Florence our junior year so we renta yates cancun will definitely keep this suggestions in mind! Currently we are Sophomores at TCU!

    Published 3.17.24 · Reply
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    Published 8.12.24 · Reply
  21. jose said:

    it was early March and with the cold temperatures, I had to be bundled up everywhere we went. But visiting in the summery month of June was indescribably more pleasant! Far more tourists, to be sure, but that downside was absolutely worth it when every meal could be enjoyed outside and all of the sites could be taken in without freezing. wego

    Published 8.24.24 · Reply
  22. Buttler said:

    There are endless things to do in Florence, but my favorite by far was enjoying the sunset from the Piazzale Michelangelo! Oh friends… please go do this. wego

    Published 8.24.24 · Reply