Our Trip, Step by Step… (Part A)
Florence was a destination that impressed us from the very first moment. It is a picturesque city steeped in history.As you walk across its bridges and through its streets, you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. Below you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the itinerary we followed during our stay in Florence, along with the actual cost of each experience. Our trip also included a day trip to beautiful Tuscany. We chose not to visit many attractions inside their buildings, with the sole exception of the Uffizi Gallery, as we are art lovers.
We flew from Greece to Rome and from there took a train to Florence. The route is quite easy and convenient. Of course, if you can find a cheap flight, the distance from Bologna is even shorter. We booked our train to Florence through the Trainline app.
The main options are:
- Bologna → Florence
about 35–40 minutes by high-speed train - Rome → Florence
about 1 hour and 30 minutes by Frecciarossa (€75 round-trip)
Main train stations: - Bologna Centrale
- Firenze Santa Maria Novella (Florence’s main station)
- Roma Termini
Once we arrived in Florence, we rented a car right at the train station (160 €), which was very convenient for getting around Tuscany and going on day trips.
Of course, if you don’t want a car, you can also get around by taking organized tours or using a combination of trains and buses.
Day 1:First Glimpse of Florence
We arrived in Florence late in the afternoon, so we began exploring as soon as we had settled in.
Our first stop was Piazza della Signoria, the city’s most famous historic square, located in front of the Palazzo Vecchio. There you’ll also see a replica of the famous statue of David, while the imposing Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, along with the historic Baptistery, is just a short walk away.
For dinner, we chose Ristorante Paoli 1827, one of Florence’s most historic restaurants, where we paid €35 per person.
Day 2: Strolling through the city’s most beautiful neighborhoods
We started our day at the Palazzo Pitti, where we sat for quite a while enjoying our coffee and watching the world go by. In front of the palace, there’s plenty of space to sit and enjoy the city’s unique atmosphere. The takeaway coffee cost (€2.20 per person).
We then crossed the famous Ponte Vecchio and stopped for ice cream at Venchi, which cost us (€4.30 per person).
While enjoying our ice cream, we walked along the banks of the Arno River. If you visit Florence, we recommend starting your walk in the Oltrarno district, as the route is truly beautiful and full of authentic views of the city.
For lunch, we chose Gusta Pizza, which is famous for its excellent pizzas. We paid €36 for two pizzas and two beers.
Then we made a fun stop at one of Photoautomatica’s photo booths, where we took some souvenir photos. The price is around (€2–€5, depending on the machine), and you’ll find several locations throughout the city.
We wrapped up our day at the Loggia Roof Bar, located on the rooftop of the Hotel Palazzo Guadagni. The view of Florence from there is truly breathtaking, especially at sunset. We paid (€26 for a glass of wine and an Aperol Spritz).
Day 3: Art, walks, and the most beautiful sunset
Our day began with a visit to the Uffizi Gallery, one of the most important art museums in the world.
Afterward, we picked up takeout sandwiches from I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti, paying (€9.50 per person).
After wandering through the beautiful alleys of Florence, we walked up to Piazzale Michelangelo to enjoy one of the city’s most breathtaking sunsets. It is, without a doubt, a must-see on any itinerary.
Our trip ended with dinner at Trattoria 13 Gobbi, where we paid (€30 per person) and sampled authentic flavors of the local cuisine.
