The train ride from Levanto to Florence was interesting, we had exactly 4 minutes to switch trains in Pisa. Luckily we made it. We decided we would walk to our hotel, roughly a 15 minute walk. Pulling luggage along the cobblestone streets is very challenging but we did it. We absolutely loved our hotel San Giuliano Inn, located perfectly in central Florence with a view of the Duomo. After getting settled we decided to explore the streets of Florence. We found il Mercato Centrale Firenze and it was overwhelming and exciting to see and smell the amazing food. I wanted to try everything. For the past 4 days we’ve been eating seafood so I was craving chicken, after trying a sample on a stick I couldn’t resist and it was absolutely delicious. Dessert followed with strawberry tiramisu and a biscuit filled with ricotta and chocolate.
It was time for gelato so I sought out a stall that caught my attention. I asked what’s your most popular flavor and she pointed to the pistachio, I said let’s do it. I took my first bite and turned to the person on my left and said “wow this is amazing”. She said I’ll have that too, we both smiled.
It was such a beautiful day we decided to take the long 40 minute walk across the river to Piazza Michelangelo for a view of the entire city. We found ALL the people. The view was beautiful and we got there right as the sun was setting. The color of the sky was breathtaking.
A 6-Course Dining Experience at Logo Ristorante
Logo Ristorante was recommended by a friend, it’s off the beaten path, tucked away on a side street south of the river. Our waitress was kind and very quiet. As we were looking through the menu two glasses of champagne arrived. We toasted to our first night in florence.
Over the course of dinner small bites arrived allowing the chef a moment to share in his amazing talent and creativity. The spiral tower of pasta with truffle slices was too pretty to eat. Somehow I found a way. Not long after we were seated three people walked in and sat directly next to us, they were from Sweden. Towards the end of the dinner they looked at us and said isn’t this place amazing and we both agreed.
We had roughly a 30 minute walk back to our hotel and really enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city. The view across the river was peaceful and beautiful. We made our way past the Duomo, there was lots of energy and activities going on. We even watched a woman playing a violin with a beautiful bustling carousel nearby, her grace and talent drew a large crowd standing in amazement. On our way home we stopped for dessert to go and bought an enormous cannoli, we devoured it immediately before going to bed.
Climbing Florence’s Iconic Duomo for Breathtaking Views
Our day in Florence started with a cozy breakfast at Twist Bistrot, just across from our hotel. The vintage decor and unique coffee cups made our cappuccino and fresh croissant feel even more special.
From there, we strolled just five minutes to the Duomo, arriving early for the 9am climb. With no line, we started our ascent up the 463 steps. A few breathers later, we reached the top, and even with the clouds, the view stretched for miles—simply breathtaking! On our way down, we met some friendly fellow Texans from Houston.
As the rain began to fall, we decided it was the perfect chance to test our laundromat skills. The locals were incredibly helpful, and with a little help from Google Translate, we even made a new friend who kept us laughing. Later, Mattia, my new friend in Levanto, tipped us off to a local sandwich spot, Schiacciamatta. We skipped the touristy lines and found ourselves savoring the most incredible sandwich, with bread that left us speechless!
A quick stop at the Leather School gave us a glimpse into the artistry of leather crafting in Florence—such a unique experience. And, of course, an affogato was calling our name. We made our way to Vivoli, Florence’s oldest gelato café (established in 1929). Though the wait was long and seating was scarce, we enjoyed our treat right on the sidewalk, striking up a conversation with a sweet couple from Chicago on their honeymoon.
Wine Tour with Lorenzo
Our Florence adventure continued with an unforgettable walking wine tour led by the energetic Lorenzo, with Italy Customized. He met us at our hotel and spent the next two hours sharing his passion for Tuscany’s wines, truffles, and local spots. Our first stop was Enoteca Alessi, where we explored a stunning wine cellar. Lorenzo taught us about Italy’s three wine regions and Tuscany’s unique, once-underwater soil that gives its wines such rich flavor. He even shared insider tips about truffles—like asking to see the truffle to ensure quality. And his wine advice? Don’t spend more than $25 on a bottle, and look for the Chianti Classico with the red rooster label.
Our second stop was a cozy spot where we switched things up with cocktails made by the owner himself. Lorenzo shared even more travel recommendations and his own homemade pasta recipe. We learned about his love for his south-of-the-river neighborhood and his two cats, and his motto, “Live Light,” which we’re fully embracing. We couldn’t help but smile each time he said, “C’mon John and Dusti!” in his thick Italian accent.
To end the night, we headed to Casella 18, a spot recommended by our friend Mattia. We said a quick hello to Lucca, who used to work with him, and enjoyed a delicious dinner of meatballs, burrata, and prosciutto pizza. Perfect end to a perfect day.
Statue of David, Leather Jackets & Florentine Steak
Next door to our hotel was Shake Cafe with a menu too tempting to pass up. We switched things up from our usual cappuccino ritual and opted for a flat white—and after one sip, we knew we’d be back the next morning.
Then we headed to the Galleria dell’Accademia to see the iconic David. Pro tip: buy your ticket in advance to avoid a super long wait. Although it was packed, seeing David up close again after 24 years was just as awe-inspiring as I remembered.
After quickly moving through the museum, we decided to escape the crowds and wandered around town. Shopping wasn’t on the agenda, but if a leather jacket or bag happened to find me, I’d consider it. We did our research to avoid fake leather, so we went to certified Codice 1992, where we met Freddy—who had us cracking up. A funny mix-up had him convinced a customer was asking for his credit card when she was really asking if he took credit cards! I ended up trying on a unique black/navy leather jacket with a beautiful liner, and Freddy also shared how to get 12% tax back at the airport with Global Blue.
For lunch, we found a spot at Antica Casa Terre, and wow, did we score big. The spaghetti carbonara and ravioli were incredible! Then, it only made sense to cross the river to Lorenzo’s neighborhood for some gelato at Passera, where we waited in line for another amazing cup.
IL Latini is a famous restaurant and regardless of a reservation the crowd grows before the doors open. We were seated in the heart of the dining room. Not long after we were settled a group of 11 women were seated directly behind us. Voices began to elevate across the room.
We noticed the florentine steak was a big feature of the menu and they offered a tasting menu with 6 different courses that had our curiosity. We weren’t sure if we could handle all the food but we decided why not. As people were receiving their courses we had a small moment of panic asking ourselves did we just order a ton of food?
Florentine steak is a special cut of beef because of the way it’s cut, the type of cattle it comes from, and the way it’s cooked. Everything we had was delicious, however we were a little disappointed in how tough and hard the meat was to cut.
Discovering Tuscan Charm in Siena, Italy
John had one breakfast mission: The açai bowl at Shake Cafe. Along with overnight oats and a perfect cappuccino, it was the best start to our day. When our plans shifted, we made a spontaneous decision to hop on a train to Siena for the afternoon. The Trenitalia app made it super easy to purchase tickets and track the schedule down to the second. Just five minutes after booking, we were off to the station.
With clear skies and a beautiful countryside of endless grapevines, the train ride was pure magic. In Siena, we wandered through charming streets, letting ourselves get a little lost until hunger hit. Google led us to Bocconcino, where we ordered their top sandwich (the #5) to share—and it definitely lived up to the hype. Of course, it wouldn’t be a complete Italian afternoon without gelato. Google came through again with a recommendation for La Vecchia, a little gem down a side street.
As we debated our return time, we realized an earlier train was leaving in an hour. Cue the dash back to the station. We raced down seven escalators and made it to the platform just in time to adjust our tickets in the app. Lesson learned: always validate your tickets to avoid fines.
We had an unforgettable dinner at Trattoria dall’Oste thanks to a reservation from our friend Mattia. Fun fact: this place is ranked the #24 steakhouse in the world. To top it off, we were seated next to two cousins, one of whom mentioned his dad is actually the guy responsible for rating meat across Italy. Talk about dining with experts.
We feasted on mussels, meatballs, boar pasta, and heavenly cream puffs with chocolate sauce. And, a little dinner drama kept things interesting—John noticed the host giving a mini-lecture to a guy who tried to sneak in just to use the bathroom.
The ambiance was warm and inviting, the perfect setting for our last night in Florence. On the way back, we passed the Duomo, where an electric Spanish guitarist was playing incredible music that echoed beautifully across the piazza. The crowd kept growing, and honestly, I could have stayed there all night listening. A perfect end to our Florence adventure. Next stop: Rome.
