Buongiorno! Things have been great here in Florence and I learn new places to enjoy every day. However, there are a few places that I personally enjoy.

Probably my favorite thing to do in Florence is to walk along the Arno River, especially at sunset. You are able to go and sit down below so you are looking up at the bridges and the Ponte Vecchio in the distance. I love doing this at night because all the lights are like candles. My apartment is perfect because it is just a road over from the river.

If you keep following the river down, you eventually come to a park (Parco della Cascine) that I love to take walks in.

My favorite church here in Florence is Santa Croce. When I first saw the exterior of Santa Croce, it was beautiful, but it was not as appealing to me. I walked in and fell immediately in love with it. It is such a beautiful church with so much history.

Another favorite of Florence is the Piazzale Michelangelo. This is where you can enjoy a terrific panoramic view of Florence. This is a very touristic area so I like to go and sit on the steps of a church that is very close by. The Basilica of San Miniato al Monte gives the same view but with less of a crowd, and you can also tour the church.

Another piazza I really enjoy is the Piazza G. Salvemini. I cross this piazza every Wednesday between classes and I like to stop at AMAL for a coffee and pastry or even a croissant.

With so many different restaurants, gelaterias, and bakeries, it is so hard to name a few. My favorite gelato place would probably be Gelateria dei Passera because they have the best flavor I have ever had: crema di lavandara (basically vanilla with lavender flavor).

One of my favorite places to get coffee and a pastry that is not in that piazza is Fedora. I enjoy this place because you can get a good quality pastry and espresso for a cheap price. It also has such a cute décor!

Beck’s is also a good place to go, it is right near my apartment close to the Santa Maria Novella train station and has great biscotti or cantuccini.

I recommend everyone go to Osteria Santo Spirito (in piazza Santo Spirito) because it is the best food I have had in Florence so far. Everything I tried was beyond delicious.

Two places that I have just recently tried that instantly became a favorite is Pizzaman pizzeria and Le Vespe Café. I had to go to Pizzaman to review it for one of my classes and I fell in love. You wouldn’t think it is a truly authentic Italian cuisine from the name, at least I didn’t. It turned out that it was the best pizza I’ve had in Italy. The pizza is wood-burned so it has a unique characteristic taste that is to die for. The other place, Le Vespe Café, was pointed out by one of my friends because they have pancakes. I went there and learned that there is much more than just good pancakes there. I had the best cappuccino there and the omelettes are just as good as the pancakes. I cannot wait to try their lunch and dinner menu!

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Anne is a current student at Indiana University of Pennsylvania studying at Florence University of the Arts in Italy during the Fall 2014 term.