I find myself in awe of Florence´s art, history, people, food, nightlife and culture in general. I feel like I have completely adapted myself to the city and its ways of everyday life even if every day and week is completely different. We all know the Grand Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery and the vibrant life along the Arno River, but I think that one of the best things about studying here is how well located Florence is and how we have the opportunity to take day trips to other places. So far, In Italy, I’ve been exploring the medieval town of San Gimignano, Milan, and the seaside village of Castiglioncello ( my personal favorite) . I have in fact also visited other countries like France, Monaco and Spain, but I want to focus on Italian day trips that I have done in the past two months, what my experience was and what I recommend.

San Gimignano: 

The day trip to San Gimignano was organized by the SAI team. I don’t like to have high expectations for upcoming events in my life but whatever my expectations were, SAI definitely surpassed them! 

We left on a big bus and the trip was just an hour’s drive from Florence. San Gimignano looks like you’re stepping back in time. We got there early but there were already a few people arriving. Upon arrival you could see everyone taking pictures of almost everything. Since we were blessed with beautiful weather, the lighting was really spot on. We did get a tour and a little bit of history lessons which were very interesting to hear. San Gimignano is definitely a small village, so you can see all the important sightings in less than half a day. 

Our visit included the Towers of San Gimignano, Piazza della Cisterna, Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, the Torregrossa and more. This town definitely offers some of the best-preserved architecture in Italy. 

The Piazza della Cisterna I would say is the heart of the town. You can also climb the Torre Grossa (the tallest tower in San Gimignano) for the panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside. I did not go up but I did get to a very nice sightseeing terrace and gardens. The view of rolling hills dotted with vineyards and olive groves went as far as the eye could see. Afterward, we treated ourselves to gelato at Gelateria Dondoli, reputed to be one of the best in the world. Definitely worth the try. 

Beyond the views, San Gimignano is a haven for art lovers. The Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, the town’s main church, is home to beautiful frescoes that tell biblical stories, while the Museo Civico offers insight into the town’s history. 

After the town tour, we visited a beautiful hotel located in the middle of vineyards where we got to try some of the famous Vernaccia wine and local Tuscan treats such as Panzanella, Pecorino cheese and a delicious charcuterie board. The free time afterwards to take pictures was the cherry on the cake. ( I will post some down below) 

San Gimignano is a perfect blend of culture, relaxation, and history—an ideal day trip from Florence for anyone seeking a slower pace amidst stunning medieval surroundings.

Milan: 

On a completely different note, Milan was an adventure in urban energy. I had been to Milan two years ago and to be completely honest, I did not like it. At all. I promised myself I would never go back. But, you know… never say never. It so happened that some of my childhood best friends now live there and told me they could change my mind about the city. I decided to give it a second opportunity and stayed there 4 whole days. I know that technically it was not a DAY trip, but for anyone else that is not visiting friends and family,one night should be enough. After this visit I still think there are not tons of things to do but I do think spending the day and night there is 100% worth it just because the night life is amazing and the city is so beautiful when it is lit up. A late night city walk was my highlight of the trip. 

To get to Milan, the best thing you can do is get a direct train ticket and once you get there, master their metro system, which should not be hard. Milan definitely has a different vibe compared to Florence—it’s fast-paced, sophisticated, and a bit more polished in some areas. Because I was visiting “local” friends, I did not do a lot of touristy things. 

Where I would recommend going if it is your first time there is obviously the Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathedral) and right next to that you should be able to see Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Absolutely beautiful, even more at night. Something fun too that is right around the corner would be the 900 museum. And If it happens to be a Saturday , head over to Navigli District. The canals are beautiful and the vintage market is always fun to see. If you want to see Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, It is located at the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, be sure to book tickets way in advance, as visits are limited and slots fill up quickly. Make sure to visit the Castello Sforzesco and Brera District ( Known for its artistic atmosphere, home to the Pinacoteca di Brera, a major art gallery, and lots of charming streets filled with boutiques, cafes, and galleries). And if you have time, Fondazione Prada is cool too but a little farther from the main city. 

My first dinner was fried chicken sandwiches at FAT SAM ( one of the best fried chicken sandwiches in my life ). FAT SAM is specialized in wine and you guessed it… fried chicken. We then went bar hopping and ended the night in Gatopardo which was visually amazing just because it was a nightclub installed in an abandoned cathedral. The entrance fee was a bit pricey so if you are not ready to spend at least 50 euros, I would recommend going somewhere else just so when you get there it is not a complete shock to you. 

I don’t want to make the story long about the rest of the trip so I will try my best to summarize it and mention my highlights. For me, the priority was not seeing Milan but just spending quality time with my friends that I had not seen in a long time. I do consider we had a productive weekend but in a very tranquil manner. My food highlight was PAN. It is very hyped up so if you don’t want to wait over an hour in line for a table, you should make a reservation. I had yet another chicken sandwich that DID NOT disappoint. Everything we tried there was heaven sent. Especially their cinnamon bun and their cookies. I think it is such a cute aesthetic place to have brunch that I would not miss. Another highlight was a picnic we made in Parco Sempione. It was

such a beautiful day out, it was very peaceful, people were walking the dogs and you could hear music like piano playing live in the park. We ended the day with a Gold Lock at Il Brutto Antaroccolo. Very local Nonnas food restaurant, not instagram famous. Packed. Best Raviolis I have ever had in my life. 

With that said, I will probably be going back soon. I don’t hate milan anymore and I am very glad i gave it a second try!

Castiglioncello 

My roommates and I decided it was time for a relaxing beach day, we heard about Castiglioncello, looked it up and wanted to head over there as soon as we saw all the pictures. Castiglioncello is a small seaside town on the Etruscan Coast. It’s just over an hour by train from Florence, and it was very cheap to get there too. 

There are no restaurants or many food options so I would definitely recommend doing what we did which was stopping at the supermarket a few minutes from the train station once we got there and buying food to snack on there. The walk from the train station to the main beach is only like 10 minutes. 

It was so beautiful I could not believe my eyes. I felt like I had stepped in a Studio Ghibli movie with crystal clear waters. 

Castiglioncello is the perfect spot for a tranquil beach day noting that it is not very touristy and was not packed at all. We spent most of the day lounging on the beach, swimming, and soaking up the sun. The Spiaggia di Quercetano was our beach of choice, a picturesque cove nestled between rocky outcrops. 

We later learned that Castiglioncello also has a rich artistic heritage—during the 20th century, it was a popular destination for Italian artists and filmmakers. If you visit, take a moment to appreciate the artistic influence on the town’s serene atmosphere and perhaps visit the Castello Pasquini, a castle that often hosts cultural events and art exhibitions. 

With that said, I would like to finish off mentioning how traveling during my study abroad experience has been one of the highlights of my journey. Each day trip If I am not alone, has brought us closer and given us memories that will last a lifetime. There’s something magical about exploring a new country with friends—getting lost in a beautiful city, trying new foods, and sharing the moments that make us laugh. These day trips have made me realize how much there is to discover just beyond our doorstep and how travel opens our eyes to the world in ways we never expected. As I look ahead, I’m grateful for these experiences that have shaped my time abroad in such meaningful ways.

Written by: Bianca, Fall 2024 Florence student from ITESO, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara