After the holiday chaos settled, we were itching to get back on a train. Florence had been on the list since we moved to Naples, and with the kids still on winter break, the timing felt right. Back to Napoli Afragola we went, boarding another high-speed train north.
If Rome was grand and overwhelming, Florence was its quieter, more refined cousin. Smaller, cleaner, and somehow more manageable - especially with three kids. We fell in love almost immediately.
The Duomo and the Piazza
Our Airbnb was perfectly located, just one block from the main piazza. The host was wonderful - the kind who leaves you tips about the best local spots and makes you feel like you've lived there for years. Every morning we'd step outside and there it was: the Duomo, rising impossibly beautiful against the Tuscan sky.
The cathedral is one of those structures that photos simply cannot capture. The intricate marble facade, the massive dome - it demands to be seen in person. We found ourselves walking past it multiple times a day, and it never got old.
Rainy Days and Renaissance Minds
The weather turned chilly and one afternoon the rain rolled in. Perfect timing, actually - we ducked into the Leonardo da Vinci Museum. The kids were fascinated by the wooden models of his inventions, and honestly, so were we. Flying machines, war devices, engineering marvels - all from a mind centuries ahead of its time.
Florence in the off-season means fewer crowds and more space to breathe. Yes, it's chilly. Pack layers. It's worth it.
Food for the Soul
The food in Florence hit different. Maybe it was the smaller city feel, maybe we just found the right spots, but every meal was memorable. And the gelato - creamy, rich, and absolutely everywhere. The kids rated every gelateria we visited. (The one near the piazza won.)
The sculptures scattered throughout the city were breathtaking. Art isn't confined to museums here; it spills out into the streets and squares. Every corner turned revealed something beautiful.
We left Florence knowing we'd be back. Rome was an experience, but Florence? Florence felt like somewhere we could stay a while.
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