Florence Things to Do

One of the best things to do while you travel in Italy is to enjoy the food – eating is very much an “attraction” here. Sampling local specialties gives you a peek into the regional differences from one part of the country to the next. So why not bring some of that Italian flavor home with you by learning to make some of the dishes you loved eating while you were on vacation?

Gelato is one of the best treats you can get in Italy, and luckily for us it’s found nearly everywhere in the country. But, like any food in Italy, there are some places that do it better than others, and according to many Florence is the place to go for the best gelato in Italy.

Eating well in Italy isn’t terribly difficult, but sometimes eating well on a budget isn’t as easy as you might think. In a city like Florence, which is extremely popular with both Italian and foreign tourists, restaurants that are in sight of famous attractions or have great views overlooking the river tend to be expensive – but of course those are the places most of us see first, since they’re in touristy areas. You can find a good meal in Florence at a budget-friendly price, though, if you know what to look for – and where to look.

I always have food as a fundamental part of my trips. I am not a food addict but I usually consider it as a part of the culture of a country, which tells us a lot about its territory, geography, economy, traditions and from there history and funny stories.

Besides museums, paintings, buildings and churches (and I am a guide of Florence so usually hungry for these) I like to dedicate part of my trips abroad to restaurants and food.

I hope that winter is treating you well, like here in Florence where it is cold but sunny.

I’m sure you’re preparing your trip for next spring or summer, and maybe you are searching the best restaurants where you might try one of our famous traditional dishes…the “Bistecca alla Fiorentina”!

I cracked up the other day. I saw an advertisement for a Food Network spinoff that was called the Cooking Channel. It amazes me how much people are into food these days! Of course, I can remember my dad watching Yan Can Cook every Saturday afternoon when I was a little kid, so I guess the whole Gourmand Lifestyle thing (foodie phenomenon?) isn’t THAT new.