Florence has been one of my favorite places to visit in Italy. Surprised? Me too. As someone who desires the sweet serenity of crowdless cities, I was prepared to spend as few hours in this multifaceted metropolis as possible. However, my friend, Cameryn and I ventured to the heart of this city on a Sunday in the midst of peak season with practically bare streets.

The walkability of Italian cities makes for a budget traveler’s dream. Though the July heat was less than ideal, outdoor museums and piazzas cured any opportunities for boredom. Shockingly, this famous city is a beautiful place to take relaxing strolls and embrace Italy’s “dolce far niente”.