Beauty but few people going out at night.
Translated by 
Elizabet Alarcón Martínez
— 13 years ago
Original text by
Alfonso Riquelme
13 0
Tags: Erasmus experiences Florence,
Florence,
Italy
I went to this city as an Erasmus student because I love it when I was there 4 years ago. Florence, city founded by the emperor Constantine in order to control the Arno navigation. The name means flowering and it is the birthplace of the Renaissance art. The old quarter is a wonder, you can smell the history in each corner; any small thing treated as if it has not any importance, it would be a great work art in any museum of the rest of Europe. There are many remarkable museums as The Uffici, where The Venus of Boticelli is, the Academy Galery, where the David is, the Opera Museum, San Marcos Museum, Santa Croce (do not skip this visit), Palazzo Pitti, etc. El Duomo is another thing. It is composed by the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Fiore, the Baptisterio and the Campanille. The cathedral cupola, created by Brunellesci is the most impressive in Florence, no doubt, when you pass by it, you can not avoid to have a look during some seconds.
The important aspects: In my humble opinion, Florence is not a good place to live, I do not mean to go as Erasmus student. Everything is expensive and of dubious quality. The renting of an apartment with three bedrooms is € 1200-1500. Italy is a country with a recessive economy and you can notice it. Florentine are not so open, in general, though they respect the tourist because they know that they live from them. I spent about € 900-1100 per month, but you always can save more…
Night live can be considered as deficient. There are three important nightclubs and a no end of pubs, but they close at 3:00 a.m. due to a new law that ban to sell alcohol after 2:00 a.m., that is, the hour when I usually go out in Spain. Obviously, there are parties in the apartments, as all the Erasmus in Europe, but the Carabinieri always come to bother.
As for the infrastructures, train works quite well. They are old but cheap and frequently, but do not think in punctuality.
The University: if you are lucky and study History, Architecture or Fine Arts, it is ok because the Faculty is in the city centre and you can go without any problem, if the tourist tide allows you. If you study Law or Economics, get ready to go far away, to Novoli, and if you study Health Sciences or Engineering, as me, get ready to go far far away, to Morgagni. They are 10 and 15 minutes far in bus, if ATAF lets you. In some cases, people had to do work experience in other province as Patro, also known as “the ugliest city in the world” vulgarly.
In short, it was an unforgettable experience though my complaints. I had a good time there and, of course, I do not regret.
I you have any specific doubt, I will settle it with pleasure. Best wishes.
The important aspects: In my humble opinion, Florence is not a good place to live, I do not mean to go as Erasmus student. Everything is expensive and of dubious quality. The renting of an apartment with three bedrooms is € 1200-1500. Italy is a country with a recessive economy and you can notice it. Florentine are not so open, in general, though they respect the tourist because they know that they live from them. I spent about € 900-1100 per month, but you always can save more…
Night live can be considered as deficient. There are three important nightclubs and a no end of pubs, but they close at 3:00 a.m. due to a new law that ban to sell alcohol after 2:00 a.m., that is, the hour when I usually go out in Spain. Obviously, there are parties in the apartments, as all the Erasmus in Europe, but the Carabinieri always come to bother.
As for the infrastructures, train works quite well. They are old but cheap and frequently, but do not think in punctuality.
The University: if you are lucky and study History, Architecture or Fine Arts, it is ok because the Faculty is in the city centre and you can go without any problem, if the tourist tide allows you. If you study Law or Economics, get ready to go far away, to Novoli, and if you study Health Sciences or Engineering, as me, get ready to go far far away, to Morgagni. They are 10 and 15 minutes far in bus, if ATAF lets you. In some cases, people had to do work experience in other province as Patro, also known as “the ugliest city in the world” vulgarly.
In short, it was an unforgettable experience though my complaints. I had a good time there and, of course, I do not regret.
I you have any specific doubt, I will settle it with pleasure. Best wishes.
Content available in other languages
- Español: Belleza con poca fiesta
- Français: Pas de fête, mais elle est belle!
- Italiano: Bellezza con poca festa
- Polski: Piękne miasto z małą ilością imprez
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