What’s not to love about Florence? In one small city, you have the famous Duomo, the renowned Uffizi Gallery Museum, and of course, incredible food. Maybe the crowds can be a little overwhelming at times, but with millions of tourists flocking here, there’s no lack of affordable accommodations in the city. However, not all cheap hotels » Read more
Florence: Budget Travel Guide
As the capital of Tuscany, Florence is known for Renaissance art and architecture, a vibrant cultural scene, delicious food and wine, and… crowded streets packed with tourists. In fact, during the high season, there are more visitors in Florence than locals! It’s no surprise that Florence’s popularity also keeps prices a lot higher than we » Read more
Florence is a city rich in history, art, music and yes, amazing food. The good news is: You do not have to be rich to eat well. Whether you are visiting Florence or living here on a budget, here are some simple ways to stretch your dining dollar. So book your Florence hotel room and » Read more
Whether you are scoping out the best meals in the city or making your way to the Duomo, Florence has a little something for everybody. Not to mention a plethora of cheap hotels in the city center and beyond. That being said, those budget hotels can fill up quickly with others looking to enjoy all » Read more
When planning a vacation in Italy, it’s tempting to want to see and do it all. It’s very easy to over schedule your trip, especially on a tight time frame like a 10-day visit. To really get into la dolce vita, it’s better to limit yourself to a few cities or towns and take your » Read more
The most-visited art museum in Italy, Florence’s Uffizi Gallery is home to some of the most famous masterpieces from the Italian Renaissance, among them, Botticelli’s iconic Birth of Venus painting. Formerly the private collection of Francesco de’Medici, it deserves a sliver of your Italy budget and a spot on your Florence itinerary. That said, the line » Read more
When visiting Florence, you can’t find a more central spot than the city’s impressive cathedral, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, known colloquially as the “Duomo”. This marble masterpiece was completed in the 15th century when it was topped with Brunelleschi’s massive dome — a structure that’s visible from most corners of the city » Read more
Although it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Florence can be surprisingly affordable. Scattered around the city on narrow streets and down charming alleys, budget hotels still exist here, while they’ve disappeared from many other Italian cities (we’re looking at you, Venice). But can you really score a super cheap hotel » Read more
Between the Tuscan wine, chic clothing and world-class museums, your trip budget in Florence can really add up. While there are some things you can’t avoid shelling out for (your hotel, flight, etc.), there are ways to save in Florence that you might not have thought of. Here are five budget tips that will help you save » Read more
You splurged on a scarf you couldn’t afford? Waiting for an urgent bank transfer from mom and dad? Whatever, you’re broke, you’re in Florence and you don’t know what to do. Well, rejoice my friend, here are some free activities to explore. Music 1. Every night, the organ goes wild at the Santa Maria de’ » Read more
People are always asking me for pointers on where to stay in Florence. If casa Marc is available then hey, no problem. Otherwise, here are the neighborhoods I suggest when choosing a hotel: Steps from the Station: Santa Maria Novella I know a guy who always insists on picking hotels near train stations to save » Read more
Instead of my usual banter about the best things to do in Florence, I’m going to try something different. No recommendations this time. At least, not the usual kind. Instead, here are some activities to avoid – expensive bad ideas, hence the crummiest things to do in my city. 1. Eat Near the Duomo It » Read more
With so many must-see museums, churches and palaces, Florence is a treasure trove for art and history lovers. It’s almost impossible to visit them all in a lifetime, much less a weekend trip! How do you choose which museums are worth your time–and budget? There are a few ways to skip the lines and minimize » Read more
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, than when in Florence why not do it the Italian way and start your morning with some pastries? Pastries for breakfast? That’s right. I’m not talking about the old doughnut and drip coffee ritual (although you can simulate that with a caffe’ americano and a » Read more
My name is Laura and I’m addicted to gelato. I’d eat it morning, afternoon or night, winter, spring, summer or fall. I’d eat any flavor you hand me, even though I’m a picky eater. So trust me, I’ve done my research for finding the best gelaterias in Florence. Tips for finding good gelato Gelato is » Read more
Tired of arriving to your destination looking like you’ve just emerged from a human car wash? Well, how about getting to Florence refreshed, reposed and with the swagger of a Medici prince? Check out these tips to save energy, time and money when arriving in Florence: Lean toward Pisa (the airport, that is) Florence has 1.5 airports. The » Read more
There’s a reason that the word “panini” is well known in the English-speaking world, and that’s because Italians really know how to make a good sandwich. A savory “panino” is the perfect cheap and quick lunch in Florence, and thankfully there are many options from which to choose. Here are our favorite sandwich shops in » Read more
Florence is a small and very walkable city, but that doesn’t mean you’ll never need a break from treading the cobblestone streets. Thus, visitors to Florence will benefit from understanding the city’s bus network. Here’s a warning: it’s not easy, but it can be done. It’s always tempting to take the hop-on hop-off tourist buses, » Read more
