In our A Total Trip series, writers document what they spent on a recent getaway. In this edition, writer Conall Molloy, shows us what he spent on a culturally-rich weekend in Florence.
My fiancée and I are fortunate to work remotely and this September, having spent several months working from Barcelona, we craved a change of pace.
We were ready to expand our minds and immerse ourselves in a different culture. We wanted to walk through Renaissance history, admire some art, and – if at all possible – drink excellent wine. We wanted Florence.
In the end, we stayed for six weeks. Despite our long trip, we could have spent another six weeks taking in the city's abundance of museums, galleries and cultural sights. Rather than calculating the costs of a six-week stay, I've broken down the expenses from our favorite weekend.
We stayed in an Airbnb for the entire trip. It cost €41.14 each per night. That included a city tax of €5.50 each for the first seven nights. Our cottage was in Oltrarno, the opposite side of the river Arno from Florence's historical center. The neighborhood was up-and-coming and plenty of young Florentines frequented its bars that were open late.
The airport is small but well-connected, with a regular tram line that takes you to the heart of things. We took a taxi for €30 because of our bags and the slightly longer journey to Oltrarno.
Total three nights accommodation: €153.42
Breakfast: We ate breakfast at the Airbnb before we strolled to the historic center. A bowl of gluten-free cornflakes (€3.60 for a box) and a carton of milk (€1) sustained us until lunch. However, we did have a quick espresso (€1 each) from Bar D’Angolo on our way to do some sightseeing.
Sightseeing: Our first stop was the Gucci Garden (€7 each) on Piazza Della Signoria. The two of us have a keen, albeit aspirational, interest in high fashion and we wanted to learn more about the city's best-known luxury brand. We spent a wonderful 90 minutes exploring the collection, which included Met Gala gowns, a hall of classic handbags, and influential outfits from fashion history. The boutique also sold exclusive Gucci items found only in Florence.
After the museum, we explored the Piazza and wandered beneath the wide, open arches of Loggia Dei Lanzi. You don't have to spend any money to admire the history of Florence – it was everywhere we looked: statues from the Roman Empire; or a replica of Michaelangelo’s David in its original location. You can admire the beauty of the Renaissance period without spending a cent.
Lunch: We shared a substantial charcuterie board with two other diners at Tuscan Taste in Oltrarno. All the food was locally sourced and our server even told us the origins of each piece of meat and cheese as well as
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