Travel blog - Tips to explore the world on a budget: Florencia

When you arrive in Florence, your senses get ambushed, all at once. First, it's the smell — espresso mixed with something sweet from a bakery. Then it’s the visual — that Tuscan light everyone talks about, catching Brunelleschi's Dome and terracotta rooftops. The best things to do in Florence are often on ranked lists. But Florence has another side, and it's less romantic. For example, the Uffizi Gallery queue will eat your morning. A bad lunch near the Duomo will eat your budget. Assuming you can walk up to Michelangelo's David on a Tuesday afternoon will eat your entire itinerary. Knowing what to do in Florence will determine whether it is a trip you'll talk about for years or one you'll politely describe as "a learning experience."