Once I heard about what happened in Parliament Square I was more than happy to get out of London..luckily I ahead already planned a visit to Margate to visit my friend Hayley. We were roommates during my TEFL program and we try to get together every year! After a couple of relaxing days in the English countryside Hayley and I hopped on a plane to the country where we first met 5 years ago..ITALY! Florence is my favorite city in the world, and of course there is no other place I wanted to go for my birthday weekend!
Live music with a view like this, what could be better?! It was truly a magical moment, and it made me fall in love with Florence all over again.
Later in the night we met up with Anna, one of my friends from study abroad who still lives in Florence. She took us to this adorable little local restaurant where we had amazing pasta dishes and laughed way to hard about all the ridiculous things that had happened since we last saw each other.
The next day was my birthday and I woke up early to go to the gym (trying to work off some of the carbs from the night before). When I got back to my hotel room Hayley had decorated the entire thing!
Drinks turned into dinner at one of my favorite restaurants Acua al Due where I ate way to much steak and tiramisu but calories don't count on your birthday right? And of course dinner turned into dancing at all my favorite places; Lion's Fountain, Bamboo, 21 and ending the night at Blob.
We set out at 4 am, and by the time we got to Florence it was after 3pm but we were all smiles to be back in this amazing city!
The first order of business was obviously finding some pizza, and eating the entire thing because when in Italy are you really going to count calories? NO
After lunch we hiked up to my favorite place in the city, Piazzale Michaelangelo. To our surprise we found a free concert on the steps of the Piazza, a man who sang in Italian, English, and Spanish!
Later in the night we met up with Anna, one of my friends from study abroad who still lives in Florence. She took us to this adorable little local restaurant where we had amazing pasta dishes and laughed way to hard about all the ridiculous things that had happened since we last saw each other.
The next day was my birthday and I woke up early to go to the gym (trying to work off some of the carbs from the night before). When I got back to my hotel room Hayley had decorated the entire thing!
What an amazing way to start my 28th year, such a great surprise!
After a leisurely breakfast in our hotels amazing courtyard, we headed out to explore the city once again. We wandered through the San Lorenzo market, then eventually made our way to the Boboli Gardens, another favorite place of mine.
The weather was absolutely perfect and the views weren't bad either!
Later in the afternoon we headed over to a rooftop terrace where another friend of mine works. We enjoyed a couple of drinks with an absolutely stunning view of the Duomo.
It was almost 5 am by the time we got home but we had so much fun!
The next day was the perfect Sunday; sleeping in followed by brunch. It's been a while since I had a proper American breakfast so I was very happy. After brunch we channelled our inner children and went to see Beauty and the Beast which was AMAZING. As we were walking home, we passed the carousel and figured since today was a flashback to our childhood why not?!
I'm not going to lie, it was the best 2 euro ever spent
The rest of the days spent in Florence past way to fast, in a blur of pizza, pasta, gelato, and aimlessly wandering beautiful piazzas. As always it was an amazing visit and I was reminded how lucky I am to have this "happy place". 7 years ago I got on a plane to study abroad and didn't really know what to expect but looking back I know it was the best decision I ever made. I fell head over heels in love with Florence..It changed me forever, sparking my wanderlust and turning me into the person I am today, and for that I will be forever greatful..because even though it breaks my heart every time I leave, I know I am so lucky to have experienced a love like this
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