4 Months in Florence... AMAZING!!! - Florence - General Tips & Advice Reviews

I did study abroad in Florence for 4 months and it was, hands down, the best experience of my entire life!!! I've been back home for about 3 years now and not a week goes by that I don't see or hear something that takes me back there for at least second. The friendships and memories I made during that time are some of the most vibrant and lasting and I'm grateful for every second I got! I stayed in an amazingly beautiful apartment about 2 miles outside the center of town so we got great exercise walking 5-15 miles on a daily basis. (the apts at the same price in town are MUCH smaller, def worth the walk to have a balcony and space) The food was phenomenal but I actually lost weight because of all the walking! Not to mention the night life is INSANE! We went dancing at least 3-4 nights a week. (Needless to say, "study" abroad is a very loose term.) I was a chemistry major so this was a break for me... I learned how to speak italian fluently, about Italian culture, history, theater, and art, which I was never interested in until this trip. We had this HUGE art history that we were all dreading because of its size. But for homework, we'd have to read about a work or two. Then the next day in lecture, we'd pack up and go see them! Amazing! I went through Rutgers Univ but met people from all different schools. I also got to travel to Paris, London, Denmark, London, Venice, Rome, Pise, Sienna, Ravenna, Sicily, Chianti.... and so much more! YOU NEED TO GO!!!!! I fell in love and am counting the days till I can go back!

Places you can't miss:

Beautiful views....

Medici Gardens (only in spring/summer)
Piazzale Michaelangelo (at sunset! the view of the sun lighting up the Arno Orange underneath the Ponte Vecchio is breathtaking)
Fiesole
the top of the Duomo (dont try this on a hot day, you'll pass out)

for great food...

Siena and San Gimignano
Chianti... go to a vineyard (i recommend Castello di Verrazzano), taste the wines (try something called, Vin Santo, but beware, its STRONG!), taste their homemade Balsamic Vinegar... then rent a car and drive into Tuscany and stop at a little stop and tell them to being you a sample feast of everything. I'm not kidding, this is how i had the best meal of my life. (although speaking italian is a necesity here)

for good shopping....
anywhere!!!!

for insane nightlife...
Central Park... opens in May i think, but it's outside, has like 3 bars, 5 dancefloors, and a ferris wheel!

PS- this is a city, there is crime and people who try to scam you. keep your eyes and ears open, all the time. dont walk alone at night, EVER. don't ever lose sight or feel of your wallet, or it will be gone. i dont wanna sound pessimistic but it really happens. it did to me. and its really too bad. so just stay really alert and the gypsies and crooks wont get the chance to take away from your experience in what i think is one of the most beautiful cities in the world!