italy

Florence, Italy Weekend Guide

Published on April 4, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Florence has become one of my favorite cities. I’ve had the opportunity to live here for several months and each day I discover something new and memorable. Most of my exploring happens during my weekends, and I thought I’d share a weekend guide for those traveling to Florence for only a few days.

To Do’s in Florence

Wander around the stunning Santa Maria del Fiore Catherdral, aka, the Duomo! It’s one of the most beautiful Cathedrals you’ll ever see. There are so many details in the architecture that still shock me every time I walk by. If you have some extra time, I suggest either climbing to the top of the Bell Tower or climbing to the top of the Duomo, both are great experiences.

Catch the sunset at Piazzale Michelangelo. This piazzale is popular for good reason, it’s one of the best spots to view Florence. Although it’s always crowded with people, it’s the best spot to watch a stunning sunset. I suggest bringing along some wine and snacks too!

Walk along the Arno River. No trip to Florence is complete without a visit to the Ponte Vecchio. Personally, I love to view the Ponte Vecchio from a distance. It’s so beautiful and makes for the perfect postcard picture.

Where to Eat

Osteria All’antico Vinaio

Neri Gelato

Osteria All’antico Vinaio. One of the best sandwiches I’ve ever tasted and well worth the wait in the long line! Bonus: only 5 euros!

Gusta Pizza. My favorite pizza in Florence!

Gelato Di Neri. One of the best spots to grab a cone of gelato. There are several amazing flavors to pick from, my favorite is the ricotta and pear.

La Menagere. An incredible place worth stopping by for coffee, a meal, drinks, or just to see the beautiful interior. On the weekend, I recommend going to one of their jazz nights. Every Friday and Saturday, a live Jazz band plays, it’s such a great way to enjoy some music and drinks with friends.

Things you Cannot Miss

Wine Tour through Tuscany. A wine tour is one of the most unique and special
experiences to have while visiting Florence. Spend the day visiting Tuscan towns, tasting delicious wine and cheese, and stepping into an Italian lifestyle. Most tours do take all day but it’s an experience you will not regret!

Visit one of Florence’s many museums. Of course The Birth of Venus at the Uffizi and the David at the Galleria dell’Academia are the two top attractions to see. But if you’re looking for a slightly less crowded museum experience or have extra time, I suggest visiting the San Lorenzo church and Medici Chapels or Museum of Opera of Saint Maria of Fiore. Both are special museums that illustrate the rich history of Florence. Of course during high season they will be crowded too but nowhere near the crowds at the Uffizi and Galleria dell’Academia.

Photo Diary: Rome, Italy

Published on March 19, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

To Rome, with Love

Over the weekend I had the chance to visit Rome again after almost two years. Rome, Italy will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the city that opened my eyes to the beauty of travel. To me, Rome is where is all began. When I first arrived in Rome, I was excited to experience Europe and dive into a new culture. It was the first time I was away from home and out of the country by myself. Rome gave me the opportunity to grow and understand myself in a deeper sense.

Walking the streets of my old neighborhood and walking by the ancient monuments all over the city gave me such nostalgia. My experience in Rome taught me so much and truly helped shaped me into the person I am today.

Rome is an incredible city and although it may seem overwhelming, seeing the highlights of the city can be done in one day! From Florence it’s a quick hour and a half train ride. I left Florence around 6am and had the entire day to go back to some old places to reminisce as well as experience Rome in a new way. Some of my favorite spots are the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Trastevere neighborhood.

A Day in Milan, Italy

Published on March 12, 2019January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck1 Comment

Over the weekend, I took a short train ride from Florence to Milan. I’ve been to Milan a few times, but since moving to Italy, I’ve wanted to visit again. From Florence, the train to Milan takes about an hour and a half so a quick day trip is possible. Milan is a diverse city that is home to many museums and galleries, which is why it is known as the design and fashion capital of the world. Although Milan may seem like a typical urban industrial place inside the center and the streets surrounding, there is a sweet and inspiring city waiting to be explored.

Milan Eats & Treats:

Coffee: Starbucks Reserve Roastery

Lunch: Obicà Mozzarella Bar

Treats: Marchesi 1824

Dinner: Piz Pizzeria

Milan Things to Do:

Climb to the top of the Milan Cathedral. This was the number one thing I wanted to do in Milan. The rooftop of the stunning Cathedral is an incredible experience. There are so many great angles to view Milan from above and the architecture up close is breathtaking and picture worthy as well.
Walk inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This shopping mall definitely belongs in the fashion capital of the world. Majority of the shops are luxury brands, but it’s still fun to window shop and spend time in the interior. This is another stunning piece of architecture in Milan.
Walk outside the city center. Milan is a huge city, which I tend to forget every time I visit. There are several areas surrounding the center that make for an enjoyable walk.
Enjoy Milan from a rooftop. There are many rooftop restaurants and bars surrounding the Cathedral. I enjoyed lunch at Obicà which was on a rooftop right next to the Cathedral.

Milan Tips:

If you take the train into Milan, I would suggest taking the metro into the city center. There are clearly marked signs on what metro to take (M3 takes you straight to the Duomo) and it’s only three stops away from the central train station. Otherwise, it is about a forty minute walk.
If interested in viewing “The Last Supper” by Leonardo Da Vinci, be sure to book tickets in advance. It is impossible to book tickets the day of at the ticket office.
Also book tickets in advance for the Cathedral rooftop. During high season, this books up fast and this is a must while in Milan.
If interested in viewing the inside of the Cathedral be sure to wear proper clothing in order to be respectful–covered knees and shoulders.

My Guide to Florence

Published on November 15, 2018January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

After spending the last few months in Florence, I thought it was time to share my favorite places to eat, drink, and explore. My only hope is that this list will continue to expand the more I settle in to this amazing city! Here’s the beginnings of my guide to Florence:

Where to Dine:

Gusta Pizza

Out of all the places to get pizza in Florence, this has to be one of my absolute favorites. Not only is the pizza extremely cheap, the quality is incredible! Gusta Pizza is a small little hole in the wall place that seems to always be crowded, for good reason. My advice is to order a pizza to go and walk to one of the near by gardens to enjoy your tasting pie!

Obicà Mozzarella Bar

In terms of a nice sit down restaurant, Obicà is my favorite. The interior of the restaurant itself is worth going for. They offer a large selection of typical Italian dishes but be sure to try their homemade pasta and stay for dessert.

Carduccio

If you want a place that doesn’t offer the typical Italian dishes and is more on the healthy side, definitely visit Carduccio! I love going for their fresh juices and smoothie bowls. It’s the perfect way to start the morning before a walk around Florence.

La Ménagère

Now for my favorite spot to get breakfast and coffee…La Ménagère! This restaurant is stunning inside that not only has a restaurant but a small decor and flower shop as well. To me, they serve the best breakfast, I’m always torn between which dish to order because everything is so tempting.

Mama’s Bakery

I recently found this bakery which is located near the Pitti Palace. Mama’s is known for serving more typical American style dishes like grilled cheese, bagels, and whoopie pies. I love coming here when I’d prefer to indulge in a treat that reminds me of home.

Gelato:

Gelateria La Carraia

My favorite gelato in the entire city! This is the creamiest gelato and they have such an amazing selection of gelato flavors to choose from. My favorite is the salted peanut, it tastes just like peanut butter.

Gelateria De ‘Medici

This gelato place is a bit of a walk from the city of Florence but well worth it! They have several fruit flavors that taste so refreshing and almost like a sorbet.

What to Do:

Visit The David

Visiting Michelangelo’s masterpiece is still one of my favorite things to do on a rainy day. David is the “man of Florence” for a reason and he’s a must see while visiting Florence. Or if you’ve already seen him, I’d recommend going again. To me, his beauty gives me a different experience every time I visit.

Boboli & Bardini Gardens

The two major gardens in Florence cannot be missed! There is so much to see within the gardens and on a nice day, I never want to leave. I love bringing a small picnic to either to relax and marvel at the incredible views of Florence. Tip: although you are allowed to bring food into the Bardini Gardens, you can’t sit on the grass. There are several benches and tables around but if you’re looking for a traditional picnic experience, bring food to the Boboli Gardens instead.

Gucci Museum

I wrote a post about the Gucci museum a little while ago but I think it’s one of the more unique museums in the city. There are so many wonderful museums surrounding Florence but I think the Gucci museum is special since the Gucci brand originated in Florence. Plus it’s hardly ever crowded which gives a nice break from the crowds.

Walk to the Ponte Vecchio

The most beautiful bridge in Florence is definitely a highlight. I love the Ponte Vecchio’s architecture, I still stop and stare whenever I’m near by. Tip: take pictures on the side near the Uffizi. Most people take photos from the Santa Trinta bridge but this gets extremely crowded with people and cars driving by.

Piazzale Michelangelo

One of the best ways to view Florence is from Piazzale Michelangelo! The hike up to this piazzale is an uphill one but very enjoyable. There are also several busses that will take you straight up as well. This is also a nice spot to bring a picnic along and appreciate the views of Florence.

Take Day Trips

Florence is surrounded by so many amazing towns that are easy to get to by car or train. I wrote about some of my favorite day trips here. Florence is a great base for overnight if you want to explore more of Tuscany by day.

Day Trips from Florence

Published on October 18, 2018January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck2 Comments

After having some time to explore and settle into Florence, I decided it was time to see what other magical towns surround me. Since there are so many day trips possible by car or train, I’ve been able to go on a few trips recently and I thought I would share my favorites so far!

Siena

Siena is a beautiful medieval town that’s a short car or train ride away from Florence. There is so much to see and do in Siena but I’d recommend going to the Cathedral and Piazza del Campo. The Cathedral alone is worth a day trip to see, it is the most stunning piece of architecture I have ever seen!

San Gimignano

Close by to Siena is San Gimignano which has become my favorite town to visit outside of Florence. Although it is quite touristy, the town offers such a unique atmosphere and it’s completely different from Florence. It’s the perfect town to spend an afternoon wandering through the medieval streets and taking in the stunning Tuscan views. Bonus: it’s also home to the world’s best gelato!

Greve, Chianti

If wine, cheese, and the countryside is most appealing to you, than a day trip to Chianti is perfect! I visited Greve because I was participating in a wine tasting/sight seeing tour but I wish I could have just spent the day in Greve! It was absolutely beautiful. There are several wineries in this area and I would highly suggest visiting a winery if you are visiting the Tuscan area. I learned a lot about the wine making process as well as how fresh olive oil is made.

Modena

Modena is about an hour and half away from Florence by train. I decided to visit Modena because I wanted to go to a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese farm! I spent the majority of my day touring a cheese farm that demonstrated how parmigiana reggiano cheese is made, aged, and packaged plus I had the chance to taste the cheese- which was heavenly. If a cheese tour isn’t your thing, I was pleasantly surprised that the city center of Modena has so much to do! There are several parks, piazzas, and food markets surrounding this small town that made for a memorable day.

Colle di Val d’Elsa

Colle di Val d’Elsa was the most enchanting town I was able to visit. It’s in the Siena region and it’s not known by many or any tourists. I had the entire town to myself with just the locals which was probably one of the most special experiences I’ve had in Europe. I spent my morning walking through the charming streets and found a spot in front of the beautiful scenery while drinking a cappuccino…it was an Italian dream.

Photo Diary: Cinque Terre

Published on September 7, 2018January 8, 2025 by Skylar M. Beck2 Comments

Out of all the beautiful places I’ve been to Cinque Terre has moved to the top of my list. Cinque Terre is located on the coast of Italy, and made up of five small towns: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore, which are connected by train or foot. Even though it has become more touristy throughout the years, there is still an authentic vibe brought by the Italian natives that live there full time.

I was able to spend three full days traveling throughout the five towns. I would recommend taking a boat tour to see the towns from the sea as well, the views from a different angle were incredible.

Cinque Terre Tips:

I stayed overnight in Monterosso Al Mare, which is the town known for the beach. Be sure to bring water shoes because the beach was very rocky and it wasn’t comfortable to walk on barefoot!
If you plan on hiking the trials that connect the towns, be aware that half of these trials are closed due to mud slides and falling rocks.
Taste the wine! Cinque Terre is known for their wines. My favorite was the “a Scià” rosso, it went well with all of our meals!

My top 5 favorite travel destinations

Published on September 13, 2017March 12, 2018 by Skylar M. Beck3 Comments

I was fortunate enough to travel a lot this summer and recently I’ve been thinking about all of the experiences and memories I had. Everywhere I went was special but there are certain places that make me feel happiest when I look back on the pictures. I decided to share a list of my top 5 favorite travel destinations from this summer:

Florence, Italy. Florence was my favorite city in Italy. Florence was also the first city I visited alone so it will always be significant to me. I immediately felt welcomed from the moment I stepped off the train. I am hoping to be back in Florence very soon in the next year or so.
Procida Island, Naples, Italy. Procida was the most colorful place I visited. The vibrant pastel colors on the buildings throughout the island always makes me happy to look at. Procida also had the best pizza I’ve ever tasted, which made the island even more enjoyable!
Paris, France. I had high expectations of Paris, mostly because I had been wanting to visit since I was little. I was not disappointed. Paris offered a charming atmosphere unlike any other city I visited.
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland. Ever since I returned home to the USA all of my friends and family have been asking what country was my favorite. My answer has been Ireland. I went to several cities around Ireland, but of course, the Cliffs of Moher was the most breathtaking place. Ireland was my favorite mostly because of the calm environment and because it was much different than every other place I visited in Europe.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Orlando, Florida. I’m a huge Harry Potter fan. The books, the movies, the aesthetic it has created for it’s fans over the years make me so overwhelmingly happy. The Harry Potter World has been on my bucket list for a few years now and I’m thrilled this summer I was finally able to go with my family.

Day Tripping: Verona, Italy

Published on July 11, 2017March 27, 2019 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Verona was one of the last cities in Italy I wanted to make sure I visited before heading back home. I’m sure many of you first heard of this small town in Northern Italy from the movie, Letters to Juliet…or maybe that was just me. Verona is home to Juliet from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Although, apparently this may not have actually been her home but since her family lived in Verona, this quickly became a tourist destination. In the courtyard there is a statue of Juliet and small gift shops. Tourists are allowed to take a tour inside the home and go out onto the balcony that is attached to Juliet’s bedroom. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to walk through the home but spending time in the courtyard was enjoyable. I made sure to write a letter to Juliet and leave it in the mailbox. Other tourists leave small notes in the walkway in unique ways…some are written on bandaids!

With the short amount of time I had, I also made sure to hike to the top of Castel San Pietro. The view from the top is stunning!

My Favorite Cafés in Rome, Italy

Published on June 22, 2017March 27, 2019 by Skylar M. BeckLeave a comment

Other than pasta, pizza, and gelato, before coming to Rome I was really looking forward to the coffee. I am a huge coffee gal. I’m happy to say I have not been disappointed with the coffee here, it is incredible. I’ve really enjoyed trying out different cafés in the area, each one is so unique inside. Aside from just coffee, the cafés also offer yummy pastries, snacks, and even small meals. Here are five of my favorite cafés in Rome:

Caffè Settimiano

This café is definitely one of my top favorites. It is located in the Trastevere neighborhood. I love stopping here for a typical Italian breakfast (croissant + cappuccino) in the mornings. Also, the staff here is always super sweet and welcoming.

Caffè Lungara

Caffè Lungara is also located in Trastevere. I come here often for a small lunch. They have the best fruit salad I have ever tasted, it is always so fresh and beautifully displayed…as you can see from this picture.

Bar del Cappuccino

This cappuccino bar is towards the city center of Rome. I originally went because I read that the man who works here specializes in cappuccino designs! His favorite designs to make for customers are hearts and apples.

Esco Sazio

Esco Sazio is a small organic juice and fruit café. I’ve never ordered coffee here because I always want an acai bowl. These acai bowls are refreshing and filling. I also appreciate how beautiful the fruit display looks in the bowl.

Don Nino

Don Nino is located in several parts of Italy, I first discovered it in Florence. There are three scattered around the city center of Rome. Their cappuccino and croissant are some of absolute favorites! Also, the interior design of their café is adorable.