A Summer in Florence on a College Budget

How to get the true Italian experience without spending the extra Euros

Where to Spend Your Time During the Day

The summer days in Florence tend to be very rainy in June and very hot in July and August. However, don’t let the weather keep you inside. There is plenty to do that will

leave you feeling like a true Italian.

Anna Tucker

141 Wright Street # 6302

Auburn, AL 36830

(205) 862-4208www.annaetucker.com

ShoppingThere are 1000’s of places to shop in

Florence. However, one of the best plac-es by far is the San Lorenzo Market. Here

you can find everything from scarfs to leather. Don’t be afraid to bargain with the sellers,you can receive a great deal if you try hard enough. Another good

shopping spot is the Piazza Della Repub-lica. Here you can find great boutiques

and designer stores.

Sunbathing During the hot summer months many

people in Florence spend their time sun-bathing. There are three great places to do

this in Florence. There is a pool located two bridges down from the Ponte Vecchio that is only 8 euro a day. Another great place to go is the Florence beach located across the bridge, at the Piazza G. Poggi. Also, many

people lay on the dam near one of the bridges. Both of these places are free.

If sunbathing and shopping aren’t your thing there are plenty of museums in Flor-ence to fill your time. There is a student pass available to buy that gets you into ev-ery church and museum in Florence for only 40 euro. This is a great deal and highly

recommended if you plan on visiting multiple museums.

Museums

Where to Spend Your Time During the Evening and

Night The Best Yet Affordable Places to Eat

In Italy pretty much anywhere you go is bound to have delicious food with an

Italian touch. The restaurants listed below will give you just the satisfaction you need, while at the same time leaving you money

to spend.

Lunch

An average Italian lunch is usually light consisting of sandwiches or pizzas. Some great places to go are:

-Trattoria Mario: Really cheap, family style seating with great Florentine food.

- The Oil Shoppe: Sandwich bar and delicious soups. Very cheap and popular with students.

-La Lampara: Delicious pizza cooked in a wood fire.

Gelato

Gelato is incredibly famous in Italy. It is delicious ice cream that is much better than any ice cream found in the states. Some great places to go are:

-Grom: Fresh, authentic gelato.

-Geleteria dei Neri: Delicious and unique flavors of gelato.

-Carabe: Sicilian geleteria with a huge selection.

Dinner

The Italians usually don’t eat dinner until 9 or 10 o’clock at night and the meals consist of many courses. Some great places to go are:

-La Beppa Fioraia: Italian style with delicious dough balls.

-Acqua al 2: Italian food with a modern flair.

-Trattoria Quattro Leoni: Delicious food with great prices.

SunsetsThe sunsets in Florence are absolutely breathtaking. Anywhere you go to watch the ball of fire fall, you are guaranteed a beautiful view. However, there are a few places that are very popular to watch the sun go down. Piazza Michaelangelo is across the bridge from the city. It is up on a hill that overlooks all of Florence. Every evening before the sun goes down the piazza becomes crowded with local

couples and groups of tourist. There are steps to sit on to watch the most beautiful sunset you will ever experience. Another hot spot

to watch the sunset is on the Ponte Vecchio bridge. People line the sidewalks trying to get a peak at the view.

Early EveningIn the early evening many Italians enjoy relaxing before going to dinner, which usually happens around 9:00. A popular place to do

this is at the Ponte Vecchio bridge. There is a musician that plays the guitar. Many people bring a bottle of wine and sit in the streets to

listen to the music and enjoy the view. Also, many locals spend their evenings hanging out in the squares. Usually there are concerts or

performances to enjoy during the summer nights.

Late NightThe Italians love to stay out late. There are many places to go in Flor-ence that are open until the early morning hours. Some of the favor-

ite clubs and bars are Space, Central Park, The Red Garter and The Lions Fountain. Each one is full of bartenders that are happy to serve

Americans.