Melih Kağan Özel We arrived in Florence after a 3-hour journey via Venice. I took a tram from the Villa Costanza area to the city center. The city center had a neat and charming atmosphere. The vibe of the city captivated me from the very first moment. After taking a few pictures of the streets, we went to our hotel to rest. Staying at a hotel in the city center was a big advantage for us, as we could reach everywhere on foot.
Since most of the museums and churches were about to close by the time we arrived, we couldn’t start our cultural tour on the first day. We grabbed a quick bite and rested at the hotel. Although the museums were closed, the city was still alive. Therefore, after resting a bit, I left the hotel and started wandering randomly through the streets of Florence to get a sense of the city.
When I reached Piazza della Repubblica, I saw a nostalgic carousel illuminated with lights. Young people were sitting on the stairs in the square, listening to music and chatting. After enjoying the square for a while, I went to an authentic Italian restaurant called IlPizzaiuolo. While small children were quietly drawing pictures at the tables, their parents were sipping wine. The atmosphere was generally lively and warm. I ordered a Caprese pizza topped with cherry tomatoes and mozzarella.
Besides the pizza being tasty overall, I did not expect to find such fresh tomatoes in February. After leaving the restaurant, I discovered a great way to return to the hotel. There were rental bicycles all over Florence, similar to the scooter rental systems. I rented a bike for about 1.25 euros for 20 minutes and started touring the city again. I realized how much I missed riding a bicycle and how long it had been since I last cycled. It is truly unfortunate that we don’t have such opportunities in Istanbul and that the city is not bike-friendly.
Florence, the Birthplace of the Renaissance:
After taking long walks in the streets and trying various foods on the first day, it was time to explore the artistic side of Florence on the second day. First, I visited the massive Florence Cathedral located in the heart of the city. I wouldn’t be exaggerating if I said I couldn’t get enough of looking at its exterior. After waiting in line for about 45 minutes, we finally entered. Although there were many paintings and artworks inside, the interior appeared relatively plain compared to the outside. After leaving the cathedral, I headed towards the Uffizi Gallery. On my way, I passed through Piazza della Signoria, where I saw numerous statues. You understand why they call Florence the city of art as you walk through its streets.
Since it was February, the city wasn’t very crowded. After purchasing a ticket at a lower price compared to the summer season and not waiting too long, I entered the Uffizi Gallery. It was my first time visiting such a detailed art exhibition, and it deeply impressed me. It was very exciting to see the works of legendary painters, whom I initially knew from the Ninja Turtles cartoon, live. One of the biggest issues with the Uffizi Gallery is that it feels like a labyrinth, making you wonder whether you’ve missed a room.
There were artworks everywhere, even on the ceilings. Touring such an intense gallery can become tiring after a while. The gallery’s star piece is Botticelli’s painting, The Birth of Venus, symbolizing the beauty of Venus and the birth of love. I spent around two hours in the gallery. I didn’t notice how time flew by as I read the stories behind the paintings.
Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens
Finally, I took an espresso from the café on the terrace floor and enjoyed the view before heading towards the Pitti Palace. The magnificent palace was originally built by a Florentine banker. Over time, it became so valuable that even Napoleon stayed there; there is even a room known as “Napoleon’s Bathroom” inside. Behind the palace lies the Boboli Gardens. It is a vast garden containing remnants from the Roman era. Walking among the trees and breathing in the fresh air felt great; it was a perfect solution for refreshing my tired mind after visiting the Uffizi and Pitti Palace.
As I wrapped up my cultural tour, I realized I was full of art but also very hungry. I met up with my friends for dinner. After finding an open restaurant, we ordered various dishes such as tomato spaghetti, truffle pasta, four-cheese pizza, and carpaccio, and we tasted all of them. Just as Florence enchants people with its art and aesthetics, it is equally impressive in terms of food. Every meal I ate was, without exception, delicious. My friends mentioned that Bologna is much better for food, but since I haven’t had a detailed culinary experience there, I can’t make a comparison.
We were enjoying our meal, but paying a 2.5-euro coperto (a cover charge) slightly dampened our spirits. We learned that when you eat at restaurants in Italy, there is a fee called coperto. After completing our tour of Florence, we filled our bottles with sparkling and still water from the fountain in Piazza della Signoria. We took one last tour of the city and headed towards the bus terminal. Our next stop was Rome.
