Florence, Italy (Days 1 & 2)

What we did:
- Off to Lindsay and Jenna’s study abroad home! Our train from Rome got in around 1ish. We grabbed a coffee in a square by our Airbnb and then went to the famous Pino’s for sandwiches. Two of Trent’s friends say it’s their all time favorite restaurant in the world! Family run counter serve spot and it was great. Trent amused them by getting in line a 2nd time for round 2. No shame!
- We then walked around town for a while to enjoy how cool of a city it is! Big fans. Nice views from the Ponte Vecchio bridge and very cool to see the famous Duomo cathedral.
- We then stopped into the wine bar “Pitti Gola and Cantina” and wow this place was awesome. We each got a flight of three Tuscan wines (Sangiovese grape). The wine guy was a som and gave us so much information. Great vibes and good wine!
- We then rushed up to the viewpoint at the top of Piazzale Michelangelo. Wow! Stunning views across all of Florence. We bought a big Peroni from a local stand to split while we enjoyed the sunset over the city. Tons of people hanging out on the stairs, musicians playing Italian tunes and great weather. Italy is awesome.
- Post sunset we headed over to dinner. We got sat in a table between two other couples and immediately felt eyes from our neighbors…. We order our meal and immediately buddy guy pipes up with “So where you guys from?!” Oh no. Abort. Abort. Nightmare scenario. They were 60ish from South Carolina and we were not sure if they were a couple, coworkers, siblings or friends, but man they were weird. We politely answer a few questions and tried to give the obvious cold shoulder. Buddy guy keeps peppering us with questions and ooong and awwing over our wine and steak. “We wish we had the confidence to order red wine. We only order white wine”. WTF? They then tell us a story about how they hated Milan because they got pickpocketed three different times over a few days! What on earth could they be doing? He then made a scene and called the waiter over to tell him that the pasta was way too salty and he can’t believe they’d serve this food. The waiter had no idea what to say (considering that Florence doesn't historically cook with much salt - see saltless bread in fun facts). Finally as we’re nearing the end of our meal they pack up and leave. Good riddance South Carolina, thanks for another brutally cringy interaction with Americans abroad. We grab some gelato at one of Jenna’s favorite “Gelataria La Carraia” and called it a night. So good!
- We ended up sleeping in pretty late as it was super rainy and gross. We started off by grabbing sandwiches at another local spot - we voted it way better than Pinos actually! We walked around for a while and tried to see the “David” statue but tickets were sold old out. We settled for the replica in the main square.
- We hit Lindsay’s favorite gelato “Antica Gelateria Florentina”. So good again! Love the creamy Florentine gelato flavors.
- Sufficiently touristed, we walked to another wine bar, “Le Volpe Y Ulva”, for a glass of Tuscan wine. We then headed back over to the wine bar from the day before “Pitti Gola and Cantina” and got a flight of Chianti’s this time. So good and great vibes!
- Buzzed and hungry we head to dinner for some more Florentine classic food and chianti. We then headed to bed for our morning wine tour! WE will definitely need to dry out when we get back to the states.

What we ate:
- Lunch #1 at Pinos where Trent had two paninis and half of Stephs. Very good!
- Night #1 dinner at Angolino's of a massive Florentine T-bone and potatoes. They are known for massive steaks that they cook rare. It was a bit rare for us so can’t say we were too impressed.
- Lunch #2 at Antico Vinaio for more paninis! Love a good Italian sammy.
- Night #2 dinner at Cucina in Torre where Trent got a redemption steak and Steph got the famous Florentine truffle pasta. Redemption steak was delicious and truffle was unreal!

Fun facts:
- In WW2 Germany occupied Florence and upon retreat had destroyed all the bridges except for the Ponte Vecchio. Hitler loved it’s uniqueness so much he forbid it’s destruction
- Gelato was invented in Florence!
- Wish we were art and museum people. According to UNESCO, 60% of the world’s most important art is in Italy and half are in Florence. So 1/3 of the world's art is there. And we just drank wine 🤙
- Florentine bread is traditionally unsalted. “The reigning theory is that salt was taxed too heavily in medieval Florence, so bakers left it out. They never looked back, not even when the tax was lifted, growing affectionately attached to their baked aberration.”Read more