[Photography] Florence & Uffizi Gallery

After packing my life into two small bags, I embarked on the most wild adventure of my life, travelling directly from my temporary home of 8 months in Sicily, hitching rides through Italy, flying to Germany, swinging into Prague, flying to Greece, Budapest and then settling in Australia. I took way too many photos and have way too much to say for just a single post, so in no particular order, this series accounts my trip up until now.

After a slightly unconventional trip to Rome and the Vatican, we BlahBlahCar’ed (by they way is the BEST way to travel in Italy for backpackers) our way to Florence for a few days of visiting old friends, checking out the Uffizi.

“The cradle of the Renaissance” is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Italy and it doesn’t disappoint. Despite it’s small size, it is overflowing with art, architecture and life. It has the magic of Rome, the quaintness of Bologna and the bustling energy of Milan, yet Florence is romantic unlike any other. Maybe it’s the rich harmony of its colours, the iconic domes of its cathedral or the scenic intersection of Arno river (the prettiest European towns always seem to have a river running through it), but there’s something about bella Firenze that will stay with you forever.

“Duomo in Pajamas”

One of the grandest Duomos in Italy

Street art

Great Gelato

Everything in Florence is so decadent, like this shop dedicated entirely to Venchi ice cream bars which looks more like a designer boutique

It isn’t Florence without seeing David everywhere

Old Bridge

Romantics everywhere

Uffizi Gallery

Il giardino di Boboli

These gardens are huge! Right in the middle of the city not far from Piazza Duomo, you can spend a few hours wandering through a dream-like, Alice in Wonderland garden, speckled with beautiful statues and fountains, romantic lanes and walkways.

In the Botanical Gardens di Boboli

Uffizi Gallery

I was mesmerized by the Uffizi Gallery. It was a shame we only had an hour and a half to spend in what I think was the most beautiful art gallery I’d ever seen, even more romantic and captivating than the Vatican Museums. Lesson learned, when you book a tour, always check to see what time the museum actually closes if you want to have some alone time after it’s finished.