Florence: The Flower of Italy

The name ‘Florence’ has Latin roots, meaning to blossom or to flower and certainly, Florence is a flourishing city. My brief two-week stay gave me a taste of what this unique place has to offer, and I think I would need to spend another six months more before I could truly say I’ve seen it all.

Everywhere you turn in Florence, there is something beautiful, captivating or inspiring. As the birthplace of the Renaissance you can walk in the footsteps of the great masters of the Arts and see the everlasting marks they left on the city. One of the highlights of my stay was being able to witness much of this artistic heritage with my own eyes, such as Michelangelo’s ‘Statue of David’, Botticelli’s ‘The Birth of Venus’ and Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘Annunciation’. Everything in the city has a story, a history and by being there, you become a part of it. I got to experience this history in many unique ways such as by eating at one of the oldest cafés in Europe, Café Gilli, which was the birthplace of the Italian literary revolution and by walking the sites of the ancient Roman walls that used to define the city.

And if you ever feel you want a break from the city you are in the heart of the stunning Tuscan countryside. The picturesque landscape is so pristine it makes you feel for a second that you have entered a painting by some great master, because surely such a beautiful place couldn’t be real. If I could redo any part of this experience again, it would be visiting Tuscany as it really was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

But besides art, and history, Florence is a living city and offers a lot to do. Italian cuisine is at its peak here, so grabbing a gelato or going to a pasta class is a must!

The local landmarks like the iconic Duomo also offer a unique and breathtaking perspective of the city from above and if you head up to Piazzale Michelangelo while the sun goes down, you’ll experience one of the most beautiful and evocative atmospheres as everyone gathers to admire the city together.

Truly whatever you plan to do in Florence, it’s worth it!

Hennigar, Sage

Global Short Program Student