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I’ve said it before, but no matter how many times I leave Florence and come back, I fall in love again. Just something about this town brings me back to it, and it will always be another home to me (I’m slowly accumulating these all around the world). I’m never going to forget my way from the Duomo to Pinos, and the amazing balsamic at El Gato e la Volpe, or just how stunning the never-failing view is from Piazzale Michelangelo. Read on for my 7 reasons why Florence will forever be my second home!
If you leave Florence without having made friends with at least a few of the locals (we’re talking about actual Florentines here), then you’ve done Italy wrong. Being able to call up a friend on Facetime wen you’re on opposite sides of the world just to tell them that you’ve booked a flight back to Florence is a feeling like nothing else. Even better, sending Snaps to everyone else who will be jealous/excited and getting their response. Having friends gives you places to stay, a home base, people to get dinner with, and a great time out. You’ll never loose these friendships, and though you might not talk for months, or even a year or so, there will always be FB messenger to shoot them a message and check up real-time on Florence.
My first Florence apartment- I still miss it and love it (even though my current apartment is INFINITELY nicer) was right above Star Chicken. There was a man named Davide who lived across the street and would always be out on his balcony drinking beer in his tightey-whiteys.
We would be pre-gaming (oh to be young again) and singing and getting ready for the evening and trying to brokenly communicate with him.
Then on the way home we would drop kebab french fries (well I would at least) all the way up the stairs. The next morning on the way back from glass we would giggle as we were hungover about all the french fries.
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and in an old amphitheater, this apartment will always be one of my favorites. The best roommates I could have asked for, in the best city in the world.
Not to say you won’t be happy to get back to American food (*cough, cough, ranch, cough, cough**) but after a few weeks you’ll start to miss walking straight out your door into the arms of your favorite gelateria, strolling down the street to eat the world’s freshest pizza, and having amazing espresso all the time.
I won’t bore you with the list of amazing (and hilarious) inside jokes between me and the amazing people I studied abroad with…but man if you had been there your sides would hurt.
The group chat is still strong, and over a year in action. No, we don’t talk as much as we used to, but I know they’re all living vicariously through me…now only to get them over here for a reunion.
When I’m back home, they’re the first people I tell apart from my family, and they’re the one’s most jealous to see me go back.
Since you lived here for so long, you’ll know exactly what to tell them to do! Whether it be recommending your favorite panino place, or you’re favorite patio to sit out on and drink a prosecco, you’ll be the guru of all things Florence (and probably Italy) for friends coming to visit!
Whether it be 6 weeks, 6 months, or 6 years, as soon as you step off the airplane that rush of excitement will hit you again and you’ll realize you are back in your favorite place in the entire world. Florence is always going to hold a piece of your heart, but I’m pretty sure you’re OK with it.
The Boho Traveller is independently affiliated with Explorateur Travel, a Virtuoso agency.
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