Un tavolo per due (“A table for two”)
Buongiorno! Where was I? Oh yes, the first day of our trip. After our gelato and exploring the center of Florence, we were ready for a little “siesta,” to rest and change for dinner.
Our hotel is such a gem. If anyone is travelling to Florence soon and wants the name of it, I can highly recommend it! It’s a small little place near the town center that is an old, beautiful building undergoing renovations. It really was lovely and quaint. It’s understated but immaculate, which is all I care about. Outside our room is a little courtyard with fountains and lots of plants:
Courtyard right outside of our hotel room
And a staircase leading up to the patio, where there are drinks and snacks in the evening and breakfast in the morning.
After we showered and changed we went up on the patio for complimentary mimosas and salted peanuts:
Salute!
After our cocktails we made our way through the city to find a place for dinner.
Silly but fun
We settled on a little place called La Repubblica. We got a nice little corner table and got to hear a large party of people laughing and talking in Italian.
We both ordered pasta fresca:
I chose the “risotto imperiale con code di gamberi, timo e pistacchi”:
aka risotto with prawns, thyme, and pistacchio
Matthew got the “raviolo ripieni di ricotta e spinaci in salsa di nochi “
aka ravioli filled with ricotta and spinach with walnut sauce
We also each had a glass of the house white wine, but the photo turned out horrible. To go with our pasta we also ordered “fagioli toscani all’olio,” or, white beans in olive oil.
Simple but delicious
This is our only photo from that dinner…man we were “glowing,” it was so hot!
The Duomo (cathedral) dominates the city center and is absolutely breathtaking. We have so many photos of it but I love this one, which was taken right after dinner as the sun went down.
The Duomo and me!
And that was my first day in Italy! We actually just arrived back so I will be posting about the rest of the trip in the coming days. Things are a little nuts around here as I might be having some work changes and we have visitors coming next week. Plus, I don’t know about you guys but I am always itching to get settled back after a vacation…laundry, unpacking, etc! I can’t wait to catch up on other blog posts (I’ve made a small dent already!), and comments. Thank you for reading!
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SO FUN
SO JEALOUS
So love the chance to live vicariously.
Ive not been to italy yet.
YET.
looks amazing Lara! I’ve always wanted to go to Italy
And yes, agree that coming home with laundry/mail/stuff to catch up on is stressful
I love all your pictures, I’m so jealous!! I’m so terribly sorry about your grandma, that is so tough. My nana holds a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to see the rest of your trip. You deserved a wonderful vacation
I know, you need a vacation from a vacation!
-kristen
Wow, such beautiful pictures! Yea, things are always so crazy after you get back from a trip. Good luck catching up on everything
i cant wait to see the rest of your recap! coming back is always a little crazy. i cant believe you might have to host some visitors too so soon after! hopefully you can get everything back in order before they come
OMG Florence is SO my favorite (one of them) cities! I love that shadow pic. And the food!
Free mimosas and free salted peanuts?? You can’t beat that. I am so excited for more pictures. I’m glad you enjoyed your time (although I’m sure it’s not too hard to have a great time in ITALY!!).
“Thank you for reading” You’re too funny, of course we’re reading! Your trip looks like a blast, I love experiencing new and authentic cuisines.
Love the complimentary mimosas
Ohmygoodness, everything in this post is gorgeous. The location, the food, and you!!! Good luck getting settled. I’m the opposite, my suitcases usually go days before I upack them
Ahhh!! GORGEOUS! I can’t wait to hear more!
Looks and sounds like a great vacation! Again, thanks for taking us along…
You’re making me miss Italy! Sounds so awesome
I’m so sorry about your grandma
I just read your other post. Hope you’re doing okay.
I’m so jealous. I really want to go to Italy. I hope you have a great time!
That risotto sounds great.
Just loved this post! You and Matthew look like you had a great time. I cannot wait to see more recap posts! I might be getting that hotel name from you in the upcoming months!
Looks like you had an amazing time. I’d like to go to Florence – I’ve only ever done Rome before.
http://www.smallchangesaddup.wordpress.com
wow, i loved this post
im dying to go there someday, it looks so beautiful! im so glad you had such a great time!!
Love this post! Did you guys climb to the top of the Duomo? We saw the most amazing rainbow up there the day we did it — Florence is my fave city in the world!! Looks like a FAB time!!!
And I am so sorry to hear about your grandma, as well — I meant to post yesterday!
How beautiful! I love these photos, everything looks perfect!
Hi Lara,
I’m sorry to hear about your grandmother. Your family is in my prayers tonight.
If you don’t mind, I’d like to get the info of your hotel. My in-laws will be visiting Florence at the end of the month, and I’d be happy to pass on the recommendation to them.
Also, may I ask if you are you are using a travel guidebook? If so, which one? I’m a huge Rick Steves fan but know that there is a budget traveler equivalent written by a Brit as well.
PS – You look stunning in the outfit above, very Sophia Loren. : -)
I’m also impressed you can wear heels to sight-see. My dogs would be screaming if I wore them on those cobble stone streets.
The hotel looks perfect so calm!! I love your prawns risotto!!
The pictures are beautiful and I adore your outfit!! You look so chic and lovely
hey lara – thanks for the comment and thanks for reading! bingeing is a HUGE challenge for me – you’re definitely not alone in that. and i can totally relate to what you said .. weight loss was easy for me, but it’s the maintenance part that i struggle with. i think it’s because i’ve gotten so comfortable with both losing weight (i know how to do it so well) and, sadly, gaining weight that i just have no idea what my body’s needs are to maintain! hopefully we can support each other through this journey – it’s certainly a comfort to know that i’m not alone
love your blog – i will for sure be a regular reader!
all of your eats sound AMAZING!!
im so jealous!
love your skirt by the way
LOve that pink tank and skirt on you- you look fabulous and happy!
the leaning tower photos are so funny!
I think we are going to fly to paris then take the train to florence and maybe explore more of italy for our Honeymoon!!!
Did you climb the Duomo?? Such an AMAZING view of the city! And really fun to climb.
Susan: We didn’t make time to climb the Duomo unfortunately. Next time?!