Daytrip | Fiesole

Catie and I

If you ask anyone about visiting the town of Fiesole they'll all tell you the same thing: hop on the 7 bus line from Piazza San Marco and take it all the way up to Fiesole.  Simple and worth the €1,20 biglietto dell'autobus, or bus ticket (just be sure to buy two and validate them each time you enter the bus!).  Fiesole is just under 30 minutes away from Florence by bus.  You go there for two things, the escape from massive amounts of tourists and the breathtaking view of all of Florence.

On Friday, Catie and I decided to take a little trip up after having a fantastic lunch.  The bus ride was quick and extremely beautiful.  I love the heart of Florence but it's easy to forget that the city outside of the tourist central exists and is also just as beautiful.  You gradually make your way up the mountain and get to pass by all of these gorgeous homes and views until you get off the bus at the center of the town of Fiesole.  It's a quaint and fairly small town but jam packed with charm.  Follow the little road on the far right of the piazza and you'll walk through a neighborhood filled with colorful houses with beautiful terraces.  Finally you'll reach the lookout point and literally stop breathing as you take in all of Florence basically spread out before you.

I don't even remember how long we stood there, taking everything in.  We met an older trio at the top from the US who have been to Italy many times and said the view never gets old.  I believe them and I can definitely see myself taking a jaunt up after school when I need a new perspective.  But don't neglect the opposite side of Fiesole.  The view to the left is just as gorgeous and worth the stroll.  After, we had a coffee and fragola (strawberry) popsicle at a little café and caught the 7 back down to San Marco just in time for dinner.