The Mona Lisa is intrinsically tied to France. Paris has claimed her as their own and rightfully so. Leonardo himself brought her to France when he went to work in the court of King Francis I. But Mona Lisa is not French at all. She’s Florentine. And while her portrait will likely never leave the Louvre, the […]
Chestnuts roast in the crisp winter air. Strands of twinkling lights dance from palazzo to palazzo overhead. Pop-up shops display artisanal ornaments and cafe windows invite us inside to warm our fingers around a steaming cup of cioccolata calda. Florence kills it at Christmas. For these compulsive walkers, the best way to enjoy the city all dressed up for the season […]
It’s a blogging tradition around here to post a trip bucket list for every return to Italy. This one is a bit shorter than those of the past (2013, 2014). That’s due in large part to the fact that my other Italo-loving half, Hannah, won’t be along with me (she’ll certainly be there in spirit!). […]
Time for a bit of a geographic detour: Last week, the Kansas City Royals (from Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.A.) won the World Series for the first time in 30 years. That means, that in my lifetime, I had never seen my home team take the crown. Rather, I lived through 27 opening days hearing the […]
November, November. You can be cruel, with heavy rains and crazy fluctuating temperatures. But I’ve been not-so-patiently awaiting your arrival, as during your days I will be reunited with the city we all adore, Firenze. So until my trip, I’ll be crossing days off my calendar and stalking you via this webcam of Piazza Signoria. […]
Fading into the infrastructure of the bustling Via de’ Cerretani and set in the shadow of Brunelleschi’s dome, Santa Maria Maggiore may just be the most forgettable church in Florence. The typical passerby would likely skip by the church, without notice, on his or her way to the Duomo or to the train station. Today, I think […]
It’s no secret that Hannah and I are smitten with fall. Heavy heat just isn’t our thing–we’d rather take a grey day here and there with cooler temperatures. So as we feel now is one of the best times to explore the city, we thought we’d dig through the archives and share our favorite walks […]
I once cried tears of joy over a piece of tiramisu (Meg can vouch). For me, “the one that got away” is a strawberry and dark chocolate gelato I dropped on Via Tavolini. One evening in Florence I looked at my Gusta pizza and truly wondered if it was possible that pizza could be my soulmate. As […]
Usually these event posts are a bit bittersweet. It’s awesome to see so many free (and budget-friendly) things to do in Florence, but it’s sad we’re not there to take part. Luckily, I’ll be making a return visit next month! If you’re in town, I’d love to see you. Until then I’ll be counting down the […]
Cortona, Italy – the epitome of Tuscan beauty. Maze-like cobblestone streets, an enoteca around every corner, panoramas of sweeping sunflower fields, cozy cafés and austere churches. This hilltop town is everything you fantasized your vacanza in Toscana to be. Although unassuming, the quiet hill town has attracted thousands of years of attention thanks to her fertile land […]
Hannah
Meg
Emily
Florence for Free 