Heatwaves, Pasta, and Coastal Adventures in Florence
July 15-19, 2023
I left Switzerland feeling on top of the world (literally). I had learned how to navigate solo travel, made a new friend, and fell in love with the country. Switzerland was beautiful, eye-opening, and an incredible experience—but it was time to move on to the next!
I was so excited to arrive in Florence because I was meeting up with my friend from Hawaii (yes, the one who lived in a tent)! We hadn’t seen each other since Hawaii, and after a year of trying to plan visits that never happened, it felt so fitting to reconnect in Italy. She had been studying abroad in Sorrento, and since I’d never been to Italy, I let her take the lead in planning.
We stayed in an Airbnb, and while it wasn’t bad, Florence in July was brutal. With no AC and 100-degree days, we found ourselves taking freezing showers four times a day just to survive. Lesson learned: always double-check for AC when booking summer accommodations in Europe.
Despite the heat, we made the most of our time. We explored Florence’s winding streets, ate some amazing pizza, and wandered through a bustling market in the city center. But by the next day, we couldn’t take the heat anymore and decided to escape to the coast—hello, Cinque Terre!
Cinque Terre was everything I dreamed of and more (photos below). We grabbed breakfast at a charming spot called Lunch Box before hopping on a private boat for the day. It was such a spontaneous decision, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. We cruised around the islands, took in the stunning coastline, swam in the Mediterranean, and even sipped on drinks while soaking in the views. At one point, I almost got offered a job working on the boat, but alas, I had to return to reality.
That evening, we returned to Florence sun-kissed and exhausted.
Day 2: Florence Adventures & Pasta Class
The next day was all about exploring Florence. We walked around the city, browsed another market, indulged in cannoli outside the Duomo, and stumbled upon the cutest wine window (a Florence must!). This is also where I fell in love with Hugo Spritz—if you know, you know.
That night, I did something completely out of my comfort zone: I attended a pasta-making class… alone. My friend didn’t book it in time, so I went solo, and let me tell you—it was humbling. Picture this: five couples on romantic getaways, all making pasta, sipping wine, and basking in their love. Then there’s me, awkwardly sitting at the end of the table, pretending I’m not the odd one out.
We made pasta, ravioli, and another dish I can’t remember (sorry!). Then we all sat down to eat at a big communal table, complete with wine and desserts. It was one of those moments that forced me to embrace being on my own. While it wasn’t exactly comfortable, I’m proud of myself for stepping outside my bubble. The couples were lovely, and it ended up being a really fun evening.
Later that night, it was time to celebrate—birthday eve! My friend and I hit the town, starting at an Irish bar where we befriended some hilarious bartenders who let us hop behind the bar to “help” make drinks. After soaking up the free beverages, we headed to a club, only to leave shortly after because the strobe lights were so intense we couldn’t see. It was chaotic, hilarious, and the perfect prelude to my birthday.
Day 3: My Birthday in Florence
My birthday began with a delicious breakfast of avocado toast and coffee. Unfortunately, my friend had to head back to school in Sorrento, so I spent the rest of the day solo, reflecting on the trip so far.
I realized something big on this birthday: I’m learning to enjoy my own company. Before this trip, I wasn’t great at being alone. I always felt like I was missing out or needed to be surrounded by people. But this experience—especially moments like the pasta class and solo travel—taught me that I’m actually pretty fun to be around. I like myself, and that’s a really cool thing to discover.
Of course, I still love being with friends and wouldn’t trade those connections for anything, but learning to embrace alone time is a gift I didn’t know I needed.
Florence was hot, beautiful, and full of lessons—and it was the perfect way to celebrate another trip around the sun.
