THINGS TO EXPECT IN "FLORENCE, ITALY" AS A FOREIGNER

THINGS TO EXPECT IN "FLORENCE, ITALY" AS A FOREIGNER

When tourists think of visiting Italy, they always think of Rome, Milan, Venice, and Florence. Florence is one of the cities in Italy. It is situated between Rome and Milan. It is the capital city of the Tuscany Region, is home to many masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture. One of its most iconic sights is the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto. The Galleria dell'Accademia displays Michelangelo’s “David” sculpture. The Uffizi Gallery exhibits Botticelli’s “The Birth of Venus” and da Vinci’s “Annunciation.”

But the question here is, what should you do if you are a first-timer in Florence? Are you ready to get fascinated by old and super old architecture? Now I am writing this to guide you on the things that you should know and what to expect about Florence Italy. If you are into classic and history, then Florence is for you.
Florence has plenty to offer. The food, the culture, the architecture, and the people itself. Florence offers plenty of tourist destinations. But, this doesn't mean that you won't be disappointed because of the number of tourists and locals around the city. The City is always full of tourists around the globe; Asian, Western, American, and some other nationalities. A few months ago, I just landed and got my permit to stay in Italy and I was clueless about Italy's life or Florentine's life. So, here I am giving some heads up before traveling to Florenc, Italy.

Tips for Visiting Florence

1. It is always best to walk

Florence is smaller than in Rome. But, Florence is more peaceful than in other cities in Italy. This became my favorite City. It has plenty of things to offer. Since it is a small city, you can go and visit places by just walking. Car no more and taxi no more. What a very big saving, right?

2. Reserve in advance your tickets for Museums

Do yourself a favor and pre-book your tickets to the museums if you’re visiting Florence in the summer or springtime. The lines are absolutely awful and without pre-booked tickets, you’ll spend ages standing in line, instead of enjoying your visit. But wait, due to the high number of tourists and visitors to some museums and churches there are also long queue lines waiting for you to enter the building. It is crazy, right? But all these struggles will be paid off once you entered the museums.

3. Shop wisely

Don't get crazy about shopping. Like some other cities, Florence is full of shopping stores. But wait again, it is always best to stay calm and don't get crazy buying stuff with a super extra penny added on the items. Are you looking for a luxury designer outlet in Italy? If you are into branded stores, I highly suggest you take a ride to go to the " The Mall Florence", it is the place where the Luxury outlets are.

4. Visit Piazza MIchelangelo

You will never want to skip this. Make it your priority. If you want an amazing view of the whole city and a fantastic view of the sunset, then you have to go to Piazza di Michelangelo. It is located at the top of the mountain. I advise you to visit it in the afternoon for a better panoramic view of the city. It is a very romantic place. I always spend hours sitting and looking at the city from above.

5. Make a good budget

For me as an Asian- Filipino, I find the city a Lil bit expensive than my home country. But I think if you are used to spending 20 Euros per meal, then it is only fair for you. Florence is cheaper than in Milan. Make sure to calculate your heads up expenses before traveling. Nobody wants to starve in the middle of the trip, right?

6. Ciao, Hello, Sawaddee Krub, Hola, Ahlo!

Do you speak Italian? Then do not expect so much in Italy. Most of the Italians don't speak English very well (me too! hahaha). But some Millenials and young people in Italy do. Don't get crazy when you don't understand them. I advise you to have your phone with you all the time just in case you need a translator. There are some restaurants that have English speaking servers. And if you find one, good for you. But who cares about the language, right? You are going to Florence to enjoy it anyway!
Enjoy your trip!

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