FOOD

1. Osteria Santo Spirito. Piazza Santo Spirito, 16/R
I have gone here six or seven times and it has been great every time. This place is very cheap, with primi piatti pasta dishes for as little as 5 Euro for a big portion.

2. All’Antico Vinaio. Via dei Neri, 74/R
The best panini in Florence. All’Antico Vanaio is famous. While most panini in Florence come with only a few slices of meat, theirs are piled high on fresh focaccia. They have several recommended options or you can create your own, all for 5 Euro. I recommend the “Inferno.”

3. Mercato Centrale
On the second level of the central market is an incredible food court. There are a dozen or so unique stalls, where trained chefs prepare delicious and reasonably priced food. The caprese pizza at the pizza stall is the best in Florence.

4. Secret bakery
Sadly, the secret is out. This bakery (I believe there are others as well), which serves as a distributor of cornetti to stores across Florence, sells fresh, warm nutella or custard filled cornetti from its back entrance in an alley in an undisclosed location. It opens from midnight each night into the wee hours of the morning. It is some of the best pastry you will ever eat.

PLACES TO VISIT

Giardino Della Gherardesca

1. Giardino Della Gherardesca. Borgo Pinti, 99
This park is located behind the Four Seasons Hotel.  It is a great place to have a coffee and take a walk, as it is a rare open green space in such a dense city.

The National Library

2. National Central Library. Piazza Dei Cavalleggeri, 1
This is a great place to study. I took the LSAT in the beginning of October and studied almost every day at this library. It is large, quiet, conveniently located, and is full of interesting materials.

World Cup Trophy at Museo del Calcio

3. Museo del Calcio. Viale Aldo Palazzeschi, 20
I went to this museum with one of my classes. The museum is dedicated to the Italian National Team, and doubles as the team’s base of operations. If you go at the right time, they might be practicing on the field adjacent to the museum.

4. Mercato Centrale
The market can be overwhelming. It is truly a sight to behold. The options for meat, produce, cheese and salumi are endless. I recommend going with a few items in mind that you definitely want to buy. Otherwise, you will likely have such difficulty choosing between the many stalls that you will leave empty-handed.

5. Basilica di San Lorenzo
Not as popular as Il Duomo or Santa Croce, but well worth the visit. The church has a very interesting history and is the burial place of several members of the Medici family, who financed much of its construction.

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