We are pleased to present a new Solo Travel Destination Post from Su, to complement earlier ones from Judy and Emily. All are members of the Solo Travel Society: Su is from Austria, Judy is from New Zealand, and Emily is from the United States. They all submitted reports from their solo trips to Florence, each from their own unique perspectives. Do you have a solo travel destination that you would like to recommend? Submit your description here, along with a few photos, and share it with fellow travelers!
Languages spoken: Italian, English
Aerial view from Piazza Michelangelo
Reasons to Visit Florence
Su's Story
Solo travel rating: 1 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Costs at Destination: Reasonable (local transportation, dining, tours, events and attractions)
This was my first solo trip to Florence. After checking loads and loads of blog posts and travel guides I set off by bus from Graz, Austria. It was a very convenient and cheap way of traveling to Florence. An overnight bus ride took me into this wonderful city in the morning and I had three full days to explore.
Of course, on day one you do the obvious touristy things, like visiting the Duomo (outside), the bell tower, Ponte Vecchio, and Palazzo Pitti. All these beautiful sights left me in awe. But I prefer to go for the less visited trails, places where you meet the locals rather than the tourists. Often, it just means sneaking into tiny side streets and all of a sudden you are away from the crowds.
My preferred way to explore a local lifestyle is by putting on my running shoes. Running along the river Arno was amazing. I came across dog walkers, joggers, people chatting away with friends, and of course, extraordinary views of the city–views you hardly find in books or blog posts, because people just don't go there. I was running in the morning, so I basically experienced a city waking up. When I left my little B&B at around 8 o'clock, the streets were quiet and almost empty. Only locals would have a quick espresso in those numerous little bars scattered all over the city. On my return, the streets were already filling up with tourists and visitors.
The next thing I did was have a typical Italian breakfast: just opposite my B&B there was a small bar where you would go to have an espresso and a “cornetto,” the Italian version of a croissant. I was surrounded by Italian speaking people, so I reckon this is what Italians do for breakfast.
My favorite spot in Florence was the Piazza Santo Spirito, on the other side of the river, known as “Oltrano”. This quarter of Florence is famed for its numerous galleries, workshops, tiny restaurants, and creative art scene. I sat for hours in front of the church on the steps watching life go by. It was a sunny Friday afternoon and obviously the Italians themselves like to do that as well, because I was surrounded by families and friends who had met for a chat and to have a drink. I was curiously watching to see where they got their drinks, and I found out that they just went over to a tabaccheria (tobacco shop)! So I went there, got myself a beer, and the friendly lady even asked if she should open the bottle for me. So there I was, sitting out in the sun, in front of a beautiful church, sipping on a cold beer, and enjoying this peaceful moment of life.
One of the best experiences I’ve ever had was a dinner with a local lady at her home. I booked it at EatWith, a platform where locals offer meals to visitors. I booked with Patrizia and I was very excited, as I had never done this before. I didn’t know Patrizia at all, I had just read about her online. She was the most lovely host and cook you can imagine. She prepared a 4-course Italian dinner, with a choice of dishes from all over the country. The starters were from Bari, Naples, and Rome. The pasta originated from Genoa and the main from Milano. Truly amazing! In between she gave away secret tips on how to improve your Italian cooking. We had wine from Tuscany and homemade Limoncello. It was the best meal I had in Florence and upon leaving, it was like having had dinner with a friend. What an experience. I was doubtful in the beginning, but more than thankful upon leaving. I found a new friend in Patrizia!
I fell in love with Florence, not just because the city is breathing culture and history with Leonardo DaVinci, Dante Aligheri, and other big names, but also because of all the lovely people I came across. I found them where I left the crowds. In those little side streets, off-the-beaten-track squares, and along the river Arno on my morning runs.
Thank you, Florence. You were so nice to me!
On my morning run
Ponte Vecchio
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 1 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult)
Florence Rowing Club (Società Canottieri) from Oltrarno.
Judy's Story
Solo travel rating: 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
The art, street art, architecture, history, culture, people, food, wine… the list of reasons to visit Florence is very long!
I spent 5 weeks there in October and November, 2015 and loved every minute, with great weather too. It's hard, even over that longer timeframe to see everything Florence has to offer, but I gave it a jolly good go! It's a great base to use to visit the rest of Tuscany (the Chianti region, Pisa, Lucca, Siena, etc), as well as Umbria and places further afield.
From Piazzale Michelangelo at sunset. Quintessential Florence shot!
Street art abounds in Florence. Clet Abraham, a French street artist who lives in Florence, adds stickers to street signs. It's fun to look for his work, though he isn't popular with the authorities!
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 2 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult)
Looking down at the Ponte Vecchio Bridge.
Emily's Story
Solo travel rating: 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult. Please see chart below)
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany. Florence is considered the birthplace of the Renaissance and has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages. It is very famous for its history and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1982. Florence has hot humid summers and cool damp winters.
The best known site in Florence is the domed cathedral called the Duomo and it's still the largest dome built with brick and mortar in the world! The Ponte Vecchio Bridge over the River Arno is also a well-known site with all the little stores on stilts along the bridge. It's the only bridge in the city that survived WWII intact. Michelangelo's “David” is here at the Accademia.
Getting There: Fly into Amerigo Vespucci Airport or if taking a train from another city in Italy, you will use the international Santa Maria Novella Railway System. A new high-speed rail station is under construction and is supposed to be operational by 2015. It is planned to be connected to Vespucci airport, Santa Maria Novella train station, and the city center by a line of Florence's streetcar system Tramvia.
Getting Around: I got to most sites on foot. I would not recommend renting a car in Florence by any means. However, you might want to rent one and go outside the city to the rolling Tuscan hillside.
Ahh, the gelato…
With a new friend at the Ponte Vecchio.
Drive outside the city to discover beauty in the Tuscan countryside.
Solo Travel Destination Rating System
Safety – 1 (1 very safe, 2 safe in most areas, 3 be cautious at all times.)
Language – 2 (1 English is first language, 2 English speakers easy to find, 3 English speakers rare)
Navigation – 1 (1 easy to navigate by transit or car, 2 poor transit, car necessary, 3 not easy to get around)
Culture – 2 (1 Similar to North America or Western Europe, 2 Different from above but relaxed and easy, 3 Challenging)
Average Rating – 1.5 (1 is easiest, 4 is most difficult)
