Cappuccino & Cornetto
Start your morning with an espresso beside a warm croissant. The Italians believe in a light breakfast and strong caffeine! Order and eat right at the bar to be out in only five minutes. Don’t be caught eating on the street: only tourists take their food onto the sidewalks in Florence. For an extra sweet morning, try a croissant filled with nutella!

Take it Slow
When walking through the crowded streets make sure to take your time and do not rush. The Florentines walk with a sense of calmness and, “when they get there, they get there.” Rushing through the streets and weaving among the throngs of people will only cause red flags to go flying that you are a tourist. So take your time, and enjoy all of the beautiful sites that Florence has to offer.

Sant’Ambrogio Market
Instead of going to Conad or another grocery store, make your way over to the Sant’Ambrogio Market where you will find indoor and outdoor vendors selling all sorts of veggies, fruits, breads, meats, and cheeses. Many Florentines go here to buy their food so it gives you the opportunity to interact with the locals and vendors who speak primarily Italian. Make sure to buy just a few days’ worth of food since all of the food is so fresh and won’t last more than a couple of days.

Cash is Key
Stores and restaurants here aren’t like the ones at home that will accept a credit card for a one dollar bottle of water. Here it is always smart to have at least 20 Euros on you at all times. You never know when you might want to duck in for a ‘gelato’ or need to stop and buy soap on your way home. Find the bank partnered with yours at home and know where it is so you can always withdraw cash without pesky ATM fees.

 

Authors
Kerri Anderson (Rutgers University), Rebecca DeMaio (UConn),Elizabeth Gurski (UConn), Emily Salvant UVA