Truly an Adventure: V’s Weekend in Florence
One Rome Abroad au pair spent her weekend off in Florence and came back with a new favorite city: Michelangelo’s David, the Uffizi Gallery, and a round of gelato-fueled market bargaining for authentic Italian leather. Between a missed-bus scare and a batch of homemade brownies for her host family, it was, in her words, “truly an adventure.”
Key Takeaways
- A weekend trip to Florence is a natural add-on for au pairs based in Italy, with Michelangelo’s David and the Uffizi Gallery topping the list of must-sees.
- Florence’s markets are a great place to practice friendly bargaining and pick up authentic leather goods.
- Even a stressful moment, like getting bad directions and nearly missing a bus, can turn into a memorable story about the kindness of strangers.
- Bonding with a host family doesn’t require anything elaborate — baking a favorite family recipe together can be its own “wow” moment.
- Shopping trips and everyday outings with a host family often become just as meaningful as the big weekend excursions.
A Weekend in Florence: David, the Uffizi, and Market Finds
This past weekend I went to Florence and it was so amazing! I got to see Michelangelo’s David and it was incredible — it really is as breathtaking as everybody says it is. We also went to the Uffizi, which was such a neat experience to see so many famous works of art in one place.
We then spent most of our weekend wandering around Florence and shopping. We were able to bargain with vendors and get some really cool stuff. I even bought my dad a pair of authentic Italian leather shoes, along with countless other leather goods for me and my family. And I had the best gelato I’ve had since arriving in Italy! It was such a fun weekend, full of memories I won’t forget. I definitely want to return to Florence one day.
The Week Leading Up to It
What I Was Grateful For
I was so grateful this week for all the opportunities this program has given me. Being able to travel and learn from the other girls on the program has been such an amazing experience.
The Hardest Part of the Week
The most difficult part of the week was when E and I got some bad directions from our Airbnb host and almost missed our bus home. We were running around Florence in the heat for 30 minutes and it was extremely stressful.
We ran into a really kind local woman who showed us exactly where to go, and we made our bus just in time. Even on the stressful days, it’s amazing how often a stranger’s small kindness turns things around.
My “Wow” Moment
My wow moment this week was getting to make brownies for my host family. I really love baking, and everyone tells me my mom’s brownie recipe is the best, so I decided to share it with them.
Time With My Host Family
This week was truly an adventure. I got to spend a lot of time with my host family because we went shopping almost every day. I’d been looking for a bridesmaid dress, and they were so kind. They took me to so many different stores and we had a blast looking for something together. Although I didn’t end up finding anything for the wedding, we found some other good stuff, and we had a lot of fun regardless.
Weekends like this one are a big part of why so many au pairs choose Rome Abroad’s au pair program in Italy. The everyday moments with a host family and the spontaneous trips to cities like Florence tend to become the memories that stick.
FAQ: Weekend Trips to Florence as an Au Pair
Is Florence a good weekend trip for au pairs living in Italy?
Yes. Florence is a popular weekend destination for au pairs placed in Italy thanks to its compact historic center, walkable sights, and easy access from many host cities. It packs a lot of art, food, and shopping into a short trip.
What are the must-see spots in Florence?
Michelangelo’s David and the Uffizi Gallery are two of the most iconic stops, and both are worth the visit. Beyond the museums, wandering Florence’s markets for leather goods and stopping for gelato are classic parts of the experience.
What should I do if travel plans go wrong, like missing a bus?
Stay calm and ask for help — as this story shows, a local stranger can turn a stressful moment into a good story. It’s worth building in extra time when navigating a new city, especially around transit connections.
How can au pairs bond with their host family outside of childcare?
Everyday shared activities go a long way. Baking a favorite recipe, joining a shopping trip, or simply spending unstructured time together are all simple ways to build a real connection with a host family.
If a weekend that starts with Michelangelo’s David and ends with gelato and new leather shoes sounds like your kind of story, it could be the start of your own adventure living abroad with a host family in Italy.
Part of the Rome Abroad team helping young women live and work abroad as au pairs since 2015.
