The life of a Florentine

I decided to go to Florence for a few days with my sister; we stayed at a friendly hostel perfect for young people and tourists with its international feel, organized trips to Tuscany and English-speaking staff.

After that, the Tourist mode went ON for the next three days. Florence is one of the major art capitals in the world, making it essential for visitors to go and experience the Uffizi art gallery. This gallery contains famous works of art such as ‘The Birth of Venus’ by Botticelli and other outstanding works by Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. In one of the rooms there is a huge window overlooking the river Arno, and it is worth visiting the Uffizi just to take in the view from there.

I loved walking along the Lungarno on the banks of the river, which were bustling with life: tourists milling about with their cameras, stalls selling handmade jewellery. The best part of this visit was admiring the spectacle of padlocks hanging from the metal bars all along the river. It is an urban tradition that couples write their names on the padlocks, attach them to the bars and then throw the key in the river.

Since all the sights in the centre are so close together, you can easily walk everywhere without having to get public transport, meaning you are able to admire the city at the same time.
One of the must-see sights is the majestic cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, also known as Il Duomo, which stands in the middle of a large square, and is constantly surrounded by a huge queue of tourists. Its colours, white and green, are unique, and from a distance it is impossible to miss.

We decided to visit Dante’s house in Via Santa Margherita. It was strange to visit the place where such a poet had lived, when in school we had to study The Divine Comedy, learn bits off by heart… it was a nightmare, so being in his home place was surreal!
We admired the dazzling sunlight that shone on the beautiful Palazzo in Piazza della Signoria while we sat having lunch on the square, with all the statues and wonders of architecture surrounding us. Something which really struck me and that I will remember forever is the view of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo: it is pretty far to walk but definitely worth going to.
From there you see the whole of the city, the domes of the churches, the river, and a perfect view.