3 Lessons Learned: Florence, Italy
Firenze, which sounds more romantic than Florence, absolutely stole a little bit of my heart! This magical place taught me three main lessons, all of which are more poetic and emotional than literal and physical hard lessons. This city captivated me, so it’s only fitting the lessons I learned here were whimsical and full of feeling. Stay tuned to find out what I learned in one of my top five destinations of this year.
Please note you might find affiliate links and ads on this page.
Table of Contents
1.Art Comes In Many Forms | 2.Places Can Have Feelings To Them | 3.Happy Is Better Than Fitting In | Takeaways
1. Art Comes In Many Forms
Both figuratively and literally, art comes in many shapes and sizes. Literally speaking, visiting Firenze’s most iconic and rightly-popular museums and exhibitions, you experience so many art forms it’s almost overwhelming. From sculptures by Michelangelo to paintings by Raphael and architecture by Filippo Brunelleschi, you can feel the history and passion in every single piece of work. Visiting a variety of art-hubs in the city, one can get a true sense of what art can feel like when done well. For a list of my favorite and recommended places, take a look at my destination guide for Firenze which you can find here. Figuratively speaking, almost everything in life can be considered art. Walking on the Ponte’s, you’ll see couples kiss with a passion, hear wonderful music down the cobblestone streets, taste the rich flavors of freshly made gelato on a warm day, and the whole time will feel like absolute magic. Watching an older couple walk hand-in-hand is art, feeling your heart expand with awe of the city is art, smelling the meticulously planted flowers in Boboli Gardens is art. True, passionate art can make you feel as though your emotions are on steroids and you’ve never felt that strongly before. Our goal should be to make every moment feel like art.
A three-faced self-portrait by Johannes Grumpp in Uffizi Galleries.
2. Places Can Have Feelings To Them
Some places, the moment you arrive, give you an intense feeling about them. It’s a gut-feeling, an instinct, a vibe. As soon as I stepped off the bus into Firenze, I could feel the warm buzz of the city. The only other time I’ve experienced such a strong pull to a place was on the island I lived for the past two years. Firenze was drawing me in with its siren call of art, food, and soul. The streets were alive, people strolling around with friends and smiles, and there was a sense of community unlike that in many cities. If I were to use one word to describe this place, it would be “intoxicating.” My hope is that everyone travels, finding these places that make them feel alive and wanted. You can’t quite understand this until you experience it yourself.
Serene peace in Bobli Gardens.
3. Happy Is Better Than Fitting In
One of the best examples I can give for this true cliché is Leonardo da Vinci. While visiting Firenze, I took a morning bus to Vinci, the birthplace of the famous artist. At the museums, you get to walk through different sections, designated to the various art and science modes explored by this renowned man. Da Vinci didn’t just stick to painting or sculpting or modeling, he studied anatomy and botany and hydrodynamics. Unlike all other artists who stick to one mode, one genre, one niche, he decided he would be happiest exploring multiple things throughout his life. A constant curiosity, a burning desire to learn and experience more. That’s something we could all learn from. Living the status quo, swimming with the current, and doing what all our friends and family are doing just because it’s “normal” is, well… boring. Unoriginal. Easy. It’s difficult to do something different, be the odd man out, but I promise you, it is so incredibly rewarding. Da Vinci is touted as one of the most notable artists in all of history, and he didn’t fit in, at all. Blaze your own path, do what sets your soul on fire, and don’t be ashamed or apologetic for being you.
Happy that I'm here on this adventure!
Takeaways
I warned you these lessons might get sappy and emotional! It’s difficult to describe exactly how Firenze made me feel; it’s simply something you have to experience firsthand yourself. Immerse yourself in this beautiful city, learn your own lessons, and tell me if you find mine to be true. Art can indeed come in many forms, places can have feelings to them, and doing what makes you happy is more important than fitting in. If you go to Firenze and disagree with me, let me know because I would love to hear your perspective on it! Stay tuned next week for my breakdown of the city to help you prepare for your next adventure there. If you find any of this useful, let me know! If you have questions, comments, or concerns, share them! My goal is for this to be a platform for like-minded travelers to share and help others. If you follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads, you will find that’s the easiest place to interact with a community of wanderers. On my YouTube channel, I will share tips, tricks, and lessons learned from each destination I go to, and my podcast will have similar content in a different format. I hope that you find this information helpful and use it as a starting point for your own wonderful, magical adventures! Happy wandering.
Top Three Things To Know About Liguria