Layover in Florence

Heading from Cinque Terre towards Tuscany, I knew that I would need to change trains in Florence, and so I planned for a mini layover to quench my love and passion for Florence.  Why do I love Florence so much, you might wonder?  Well, I can’t quite put my finger on it, but all I know is that the moment I walk out of the train station, my face instantly beams a huge smile and I feel completely at home.

the beautiful wildflowers on my train ride

After my super early train to Florence, I hopped off and ran my bags to the left luggage.  I had just over 3 hours to soak in all of Florence that I could manage, and my eagerness to get started was boiling over.  Luckily for me, since I have been to Florence before, I knew exactly what I wanted to do.

Florence is such a great walking city and very easy to navigate.  Even if you only have a few hours, it is completely worth making the stop.  My first heading was easy, Cafe Gilli for the most extraordinary iced cappuccino and occhio di bue (little jam cookies).  I have never had an iced cappuccino anywhere other than Cafe Gilli, and I will probably keep it that way – fresh brewed espresso, shaken (not stirred), poured over sweetened milk and ice – refreshing, sweet, mocha goodness.

And of course the cookies too, let’s not forget their amazing pastries.  However, I am a bit of a sucker for these cookies.

After a coffee recharge, I started the process of wandering and strolling in the direction of my most favorite little candy store, Migone, where we always bring home amazing little gelées from.

Gelées in hand, I skipped (haha, not really, only in my Florence fantasy) along the streets, window shopping, and taking pictures along the way.

Luckily I wandered myself in the proper direction for a quick lunch at All’Antico Vinaio, a simply to die for sandwich shop.  Florence, although famous for many things food, has grown quite a following for these panini.  I had one the last time I was in town, and it is truly worth all of the hype.

Instead of ordering from the menu, I like to make what I would name, “Un Po Strano,” a little strange.  It’s a little strange, because to Italians the combination seems rather odd, but to me it is perfection – porchetta, house-made pecorino cream, mushroom spread, spicy eggplant and fresh basil, all stuffed into a warm piece of focaccia.  Top it off with a glass of the house wine, all for under $10, and you’ve got yourself a killer lunch.

Post sandwich, I squeezed in some more shopping and wandering, and made it to another favorite stop of mine, Signum.  A beautiful paper store selling the traditional Fiorentina papers.  If you know me, you know that I am a paper kinda gal, so rest assured, I stocked up.

Continuing on, I crossed the Ponte Vecchio and window shopped.  I walked along the Arno River and somehow found myself at a gelato shop (no coincidence here).  I picked up my favorites, lemon and raspberry, and enjoyed my gelati on a bridge while watching the river and street traffic.

Getting close to my time for departure, I started to head back towards the train station, making sure to stop and rub Il Porcellino and drop a coin in his mouth (for assurance that you will return to Florence).  And then I even had time to quickly stop in two Zara stores.  (Firenze was where my Zara love began).

Then back at the train station, I picked up my luggage, hopped on the train, e allora . . . here I am, sitting, and relaxing on the train.  And also I’m smiling.  I’m smiling because I had a few beautiful hours in Florence, and I’m also smiling because I have the Tuscan countryside ready to welcome me.  Italy, I don’t think that you could be any more enticing even if you tried.