Gen Z meets Florenz | railtour Travel blog

My journey begins with the EuroCity from Switzerland to Milan. During my stopover, I treat myself to something to eat in the Mercato market hall at Milano Centrale before continuing by train to Florence. When I arrive in Florence, I immediately feel the warm rays of the Tuscan sun. From the station, I follow the flow of people towards the centre and already discover the first impressive buildings along the way. Elegant façades, narrow lanes and historic architecture shape the cityscape and give Florence its very own charm. By the time I reach my hotel, I already feel as if I have stepped into another era. These first impressions immediately made me want to explore Florence further.

So I head back out into the streets and make my way to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Even from a distance, it looks impressive. Almost like a huge work of art. I continue across Piazza della Repubblica to Piazza della Signoria, where I admire Michelangelo’s famous statue of David. After a visit to the Uffizi, I walk along the Arno with a view of the Ponte Vecchio. That is when I realise: in Florence, art is not only found in museums. Something impressive is waiting on almost every street corner.

After such a lively day, I wanted to slow down a little and still enjoy the city’s vibe. Florence is perfect for that. In the city centre, there are plenty of rooftop bars with amazing views of the cathedral and other landmarks. Now I am sitting in one of these rooftop bars, enjoying a cold Aperol and watching the sun slowly disappear behind the Duomo. For a moment, everything becomes quieter. And in that exact moment, Florence shows me a completely different side of itself.

Of course, during my days in Florence, all that admiring of beautiful places eventually made me hungry. And the city really surprised me with its food. On almost every corner, I discovered small restaurants serving local specialities and regional dishes. I tasted my way through different treats and was impressed by the quality and variety. What I found especially exciting was how easy it is to eat locally in Florence. At the same time, the Mercato Centrale Firenze offers the chance to try specialities from Italy, as well as delicacies from all over the world. So for me, food in Florence became much more than just a break. It became an experience in its own right.

Florence is divided into two parts by the Arno. On one side are many of the famous highlights, such as the cathedral and the Uffizi. On the other side, the city feels quieter and less touristy. I crossed the Ponte Vecchio to reach this part of town. There, I discovered small lanes, cosy restaurants, fewer hotels and an atmosphere that felt more local. After that, I headed uphill to the famous viewpoint at Piazzale Michelangelo. From there, I had a beautiful view over Florence. With an aperitivo in my hand, I enjoyed the view across the rooftops, the Duomo and the Arno. A moment that felt calm, real and special.