I think everyone, at one time or another, has had their European summer pinned to their vision board or has dreamed of going to Italy. Like you, I am one of those people! For as long as I can remember, Italy has always been a dream of mine. To see and explore the cities while indulging in the local delicacies… I mean, what’s not to love? So when I had the opportunity to travel to Italy with the company I work for, I jumped at the chance to visit one of the countries on my bucket list!
Although my travels were mixed with work, I didn’t let that take away from enjoying the trip to the fullest. My work trip consisted of four days in Milan and two and a half days in Florence, with Milan being the first stop on our journey. From visiting the headquarters to connecting with my colleagues in Italy, I was able to make some meaningful connections that helped me see the country through their eyes. Florence was an added bonus, as some of my colleagues were from there and shared their must-see spots!
In this blog, you’ll get to relive some of my favorite moments from the trip, which I hope will inspire your next adventure in Italy! I share it all — from the activities and restaurants to outfit inspiration. I truly hope you enjoy!
Not only was I able to visit Italy, but I was also fortunate to take JR with me! It was our first time, so we couldn’t have been more excited to see and taste what Italy had to offer. After a long first workday, we opted to tour the city in the evening and indulge in the famous aperitivo Italy is widely known for!
We dined at Terrazza Aperol in downtown Milan for an Aperol Spritz, which came highly recommended. The view was gorgeous, and the weather was just right—a perfect start to the evening. The terrace overlooks the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a famous shopping mall I’m sure you’ve seen all over social media! Most of the shops were closed by then, but window shopping was free. It was the perfect opportunity to snap a pic and indulge in some gelato!
We had dinner at Terrazza Duomo 21, which had a beautiful view of the Duomo—a romantic and perfect ending to our first night! JR had the pizza, and I had the cacio e pepe—both delicious must-tries if you ever get the chance to go!
My second day was spent with my co-workers at a local bar for an Aperol Spritz, followed by a late-night dinner with JR. I didn’t capture too much of my look, but I did share some behind-the-scenes photos in my Instagram highlights if you’re curious!
Our third day was by far my favorite experience in Milan. The beautiful town of Brera was one for the books and a must-stop when visiting! It was truly picturesque, with bistro-style restaurants and bars. The locals say this is Milan in its traditional form, before the bombings of World War II destroyed much of its history.
We dined at a spot recommended by one of my co-workers (U Barba Osteria Genovese)! The food was absolutely delicious—by far the best pasta I’ve had in Italy. The prices were reasonable, especially considering how incredible the food was. To top it off, Brera was just around the corner, perfect for grabbing some gelato afterward!
After saying goodbye to my colleagues in Italy, we hopped on a train to Florence. The train ride was fairly easy, and before we knew it, we had arrived at our destination. I’ll admit—it was my first time on a train, so we watched some videos beforehand to understand how to navigate everything. If it’s your first time as well, I’d suggest checking out some TikTok videos or reels as this helped us immensely! We arrived in Florence pretty late on Friday, so we decided to call it a night and get some rest for the weekend.
If you didn’t know already, we’re wine enthusiasts, and because we absolutely love wine, I felt it was a must to go on a wine tour! We booked a wine tour with Florence Wine Tours. Our tour group was small and also included people who had booked a Mopad tour through the hills of Tuscany. We only opted for the wine tour, and it turned out to be a great decision—we were the only ones not doing the Mopad tour, which made the experience more intimate and private.
Our sommelier was well known in the local community and had just recently won an award for being the best sommelier for the second year in a row. The family-run winery was absolutely beautiful—it felt like something out of a romance novel! Our wine tour also included a home-cooked meal paired with six selected wines from the winery. It was a truly delightful afternoon spent doing something we love. We even brought some wine and olive oil home with us!
After a quick rest following the winery, we took a taxi to our pasta class for the evening. I found the ad on Instagram and had to book the experience (Florence Uncooked Pasta Class)! We were split into groups, and luckily, we were assigned to the master chef of the restaurant. We made three different types of pasta while sipping on bottomless wine. For our first time, our pasta turned out delicious! It was truly an unforgettable experience that I would highly recommend trying.
Our original plan for the last day was to take an afternoon train back to Milan and spend the day there before our flight home the next day. However, we moved our train ride to the evening and got to enjoy another full day in Florence!
Milan had its moments, but Florence was utterly charming—and I couldn’t leave without trying one of the infamous wine windows, which we did!
We spent the morning at a little market in the town square and grabbed breakfast at Loggia Roof Bar) In the afternoon, we booked a self-guided museum tour at Palazzo Pitti, which was stunning to see and experience.
The art collections and carved statues felt like something out of a movie. Each room was adorned with incredible pieces—each more breathtaking than the last. You could feel the history oozing from every work of art. If you’re an art lover, this is definitely for you!
After taking some time to cool off, we visited a few more wine windows and stopped for photos in some nearby alleyways
If this blog hasn’t convinced you to take a trip to Italy, then my next tip will!
When booking your flight to Italy, try flying out on a weekend and arriving on a weekday—or vice versa. We did this, and our ticket price was reduced immensely! Thanks to a tip from my boss, JR was able to fly with me. You really have to play around with the dates to get the best rate possible.
It was a truly unforgettable experience—one I will cherish until I make more memories in Italy!
Like any other blogger: book early, do your research, stay alert for pickpockets, and download any apps that may help your trip run smoothly (such as Italo for train transit and AppTaxi—Florence use only). You’ll soon experience la dolce vita!
-XOXO
Vanessa
Vanessa Serna 