Guest Post by Bonnie Taub-Dix
Meet Bonnie Taub-Dix
Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RDN, CDN, is an award-winning author, registered dietitian nutritionist and media personality, celebrated for her Media Savvy with Bonnie Taub-Dix podcast, her book “Read It Before You Eat It – Taking You from Label to Table” and her website BetterThanDieting.com. Bonnie’s media expertise has been featured in thousands of stories in all forms of media, including television, radio, and podcast shows, as well as print and online platforms. It is through this mastery of media that she is passionately dedicated to coaching others through media training and courses, empowering them to excel in the spotlight. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Bonnie enjoys creating heartwarming recipes as well as pursuing her passions for painting and writing.
You’ll find her on Instagram @bonnietaubdix and @btdmedia.
Where is your favorite place in the world to travel to?
I’d have to say Florence. Or maybe it’s Paris. I can’t decide! I’ve been to both places many times and I never grow tired of the food, the people, the art, the architecture or the places to shop! Although I’ve been to the countryside in both France and Italy – perhaps my heart is in Italy (even though I’m much better at speaking French).
What are your top travel hacks or tips?
1. I often see people scrambling around in the airport to spend whatever euros they have left before they get on their flight to come home but I do just the opposite. I make sure that I come home with at least 50-100 euros so that the next time I go to Europe, I’ll have some money in my pocket. If you arrive in a city at night or on a Sunday, you may not be able to get cash (unless you find a working cash machine).
2. Always bring a black satin pillowcase. Before I travel I get my hair blown out and with the use of a satin pillowcase, that style can last for days. I used to travel with white or beige pillowcases, but I wound up leaving them behind. I switched to black satin and that was a game-changer! As I scan the room before I’m ready to leave a hotel — that color stands out!
3. I always pack a snack. The dietitian in me brings a medley of nuts and dried fruit. For a hit of protein, fiber and crunch that lasts — it’s the way to go in case of delayed flights.
Q&A GUEST POST with Bonnie Taub-Dix: Florence 🇮🇹
Q: Can you provide a brief overview of Florence?
A: Florence, the capital of Italy’s Tuscany region, is renowned for its rich history, art, architecture and food and wine! It’s known as the birthplace of the Renaissance and has been home to many influential figures such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Dante Alighieri. The city boasts numerous iconic sites, including the Duomo, a cathedral with a terracotta-tiled dome engineered by Brunelleschi and a bell tower by Giotto. The Uffizi Gallery houses a vast collection of priceless works, especially from the period of the Renaissance. Florence’s historic center, filled with stunning artworks, churches, and palaces, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is a must see!
Q: Why should people visit Florence?
A: In Florence you can immerse yourself in rich culture, fill yourself with fantastic food, laugh with locals and appreciate the beauty of this part of Europe. Florence is accessible to so many wonderful cities like San Gimignano (see many tips and details below), Bologna (details below), Sienna, Volterra, or Montepulciano or you can venture to Cinque Terre by train for a day trip or overnight.
Q: How many days should you visit Florence to truly experience it?
A: As many as you can! No less than 4 days are needed to explore and enjoy all that Florence offers – I’ve spent a week at a time and one day…I’ll give it a month!
Q: What’s the best time of year to visit?
A: Late spring, early summer are my favorite times to be in Florence. Perhaps early September, although I have never traveled at that time. I love walking around the streets in warm weather and if you leave the city — the sunflowers are in bloom in summer. I’ve never hit rain in Florence either.
Q: What should you not forget to pack when visiting Florence?
A: Comfy shoes are essential but these days, sneakers are trendy and fashionable. Hokas are my fave for walking around all day on cobblestone streets and for nighttime, ballet flats could work well, but cobblestone streets beckon for sneakers or at least, rubber soles. Leave those heels home. No one really cares what you wear and your feet will thank you.
Q: What’s the best airport to fly in/out of? Any specific airport tips?
A: I’ve only flown to Florence Airport (FLR) but you can also fly into Pisa, Milan or Venice if you’d like to visit other cities as well. Check prices on flights since you can always take a train to Florence from a nearby city.
Q: Once you arrive at the airport, is it best to rent a car or take a taxi to get into the city?
A: Renting a car would depend on where you are going while in Florence. I prefer to take a taxi into town, spend a few days and then rent a car from/near the train station to travel outside of town to places like San Gimignano or Sienna.
It’s super important to make your car rental plans while you’re still at home. If you only drive an automatic (like us) you won’t want to be stuck only getting a stick shift while driving in a place where everyone will be speeding past you. (Although, they’ll probably be speeding past you anyway!)
Q: Where do you recommend people stay in Florence? Any hotel recommendations? Or best to rent a place through Airbnb?
A: We loved staying at Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni 1 (our room had a breathtaking view) + Hotel Bernini Palace Borgo dei Greci, 29. These were perfect in terms of service, location and comfort.
The locations are ideal for food and fun, so even if you don’t stay at those hotels — check out hotels that are nearby.
If you’re traveling with your family, you might want to consider renting a villa outside of town or renting an apartment that can accommodate several people. We rented a villa for 10 of us about 10 minutes outside of San Gimignano. It was heavenly! With your own place you can fill your fridge and make your own breakfast and then spend the day visiting a nearby city, go out to dinner and come back at night for some family games.
Q: What are some must-do activities while in Florence? Any unique experiences or tours you recommend?
🔝Climb the Duomo: If you’ve never climbed up to the top of the Duomo… it’s a must. (If you’re claustrophobic, the narrow and winding staircases may be intimidating – but it’s worth the climb.) Book a tour ahead of time from home with Fat Tire Tours. We went last week + all of July + half of August were already sold out and we didn’t have to wait on the l-o-n-g line in the heat. Stay tuned for my upcoming reel on what it looked like inside the Duomo.
🚶🏻♀️Book a walking tour: The history of Europe fascinates me We booked online with the Viator ‘storytelling’ tour. Our guide was Sylvia and you only pay with a well-deserved tip. If you haven’t been to Florence before, a walking tour is a perfect intro to the city and guides often have personal recommendations for restaurants.
💍 If you’re looking for jewelry be sure to visit Ponte Vecchio and once you find what you’re looking for…be sure to negotiate prices.
💦 Be sure to take a walk along the Arno River which runs right through the city.
Q: What are some top sites and museums you should absolutely not miss while in Florence? Any hidden gems?
A: I have been to Florence 8 times but at this last visit, for the first time, I took a private tour around the Ufizzi. It was so wonderful to hear the secret backstories of classic works of art and the artists. Trip Advisor has many to choose from but be sure to read reviews and get a guide that speaks your language fluently.
Be sure to go to the Accademia to see the David. There’s a copy outside the Uffizi but there’s nothing as magnificent as the real deal.
Q: Is Florence family-friendly?
A: Yes it is and if you have a little one — a stroller is a must but it’ll be a workout on cobblestones. Italy and Greece are the two countries that are the easiest when it comes to finding food for kids. Who doesn’t love pasta or pizza or gelato? 🤷🏻♀️
Q: What’s the best area for shopping? Best area to find local/artisan products? Best food markets?
A: There are lots of high end shops similar to where you can shop in States but you can save on VAT (tax) by filling out some forms and handing them in at the airport. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to get this taken care of — lines could seem endless when you’re trying to catch your flight.
For food shopping I love going to supermarkets in other countries. If you’re stuck on what to bring home as gift — you can always pick up some chocolates at prices better than you’d find in the airport.
There are some markets around Florence (Lorenzo) but be sure to check dates of when they’re open. The quality of leather, etc. may not be as good in these stands as they are in stores, but you’ll find some fun souvenirs to bring home. I love stationary so if you’re like me, you’ll find plenty in Florence.
Q: Let’s talk food! What are some must-eat dishes while in Florence? Favorite restaurants?
🥪Get a panini: If you notice crowds of people sitting on the street eating mouth-watering sandwiches, you’ll know you’re near All’Antico Vinaio at Via dei Neri, 65r. I chose a ‘pick what you want’ sandwich with fresh mozzarella, pistachio pesto, sun dried tomatoes, arugula and honey.
🍦Eat gelato: Everybody has their favorite places but after doing extensive research – be sure not to miss Gelateria Carraia (they have two locations) and Vivoli. (We had to visit several times…just to be sure!)
🍝 Pick pasta: Yes, there were some days where we ate pasta twice a day! There are a million restaurants to choose from (and those spontaneous spots are often the best) but my faves are:
Degusteria Italiana agli Uffzi – Via Lambertesca, 7 Rosso (I’m still dreaming of their cheese tasting menu paired with wine!)
Garga Trattoria – Via Del Moro 48/R
Osteria Natalino – Borgo Albizi 17R
La Giostra – Borgo Pinti 10R
Q: Where can you find the best spot for coffee and breakfast in Florence?
A: I can’t resist a hotel breakfast! I love the assortment of cereals, fruit and Europe offers the best yogurts! If you go to a cafe for coffee, not expect the “free refills” you get in the States!
Q: Where are the best spots in Florence to enjoy a drink?
A: Just pick a cafe in a square and you can people-watch for hours. One of my favorite squares is Piazza della Signoria, surrounded by Palazzo degli Uffizi, the oldest art museum in the world, and Palazzo Vecchio, the former palace of the Medicis. You’ll hear people playing music and the buzz all around you is magnetic! 🎠Then take a ride on the carousel in Piazza della Repubblica.
Q: Anything else you’d like to add about visiting Florence?
Although it’s helpful to take tours, try to give yourself enough free time to explore. Florence has many hidden gems down side streets — especially its restaurants. Leave room for an afternoon gelato or glass of wine in a little trattoria.
A few of my favorite cities to visit while you’re in Florence:
San Gimignano
San Gimignano, an Italian hill town in Tuscany, Is by far one of my favorite places in Italy. Encircled by 13th-century walls (and no cars!)..SanG will make you feel like dressing up in medieval clothing! 👸🏻
Day or night San Gimignano is flowing with picturesque scenes down its winding streets and in shop windows bursting with local delicacies, wine and crafts.
We stayed in a villa 10-minutes away from San Gimignano (follow along for my next post on Tuscany to see where we stayed) so grabbing gelato was an easy ride away and it’s only an hour car ride from Florence.
If you go…here’s what you need to know:
🧗🏻♀️ Climb to the top of The Torri di San Gimignano for breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside
🏺Get ready to send or bring home some amazing pottery. Get ready to be tempted by lemons 🍋sunflowers 🌻 and irresistible patterns ⚜️. I had to limit my photos here but you’ll get the picture!
🍦Grab gelato at “The Best Gelato in the World” at Piazza della Cisterna. (We had to try it a few times to be sure it was the best!)
🍷Although it’s known for its Vernaccia white wine, I’ll be honest, and say I’d prefer a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or go for a Brunello.
Pick any of the bustling outdoor cafes and toast to people watching.
🍝There are tons of trattorias to choose from in town but if you want to venture outside of San Gimignano my favorite place is around 15 minutes away Fattoria Poggio Alloro
⚔️ Visit the torture museum and be happy times have changed!
👑 If you’re able to visit mid-June, you’ll find a fun musical medieval festival where you can have a date with a knight and experience what it was like to live in the old days.
Bologna
Mamma mia!! Now I know why Bologna is called the foodie capital of the world! I had never been to Bologna before and this will certainly not be my last visit.
I’ll be honest – I went to Bologna for the food and for its close proximity to Parma (who doesn’t like Parmesan cheese?) and Modena (I can never get enough balsamic vinegar) but I never imagined how beautiful this city is with its sprawling plazas, arched colonnades, cafes and medieval structures.
Here’s what you need to know if you go:
🧀Book a foodie tour. We booked an all-day Bologna Food Experience: Factory tours & family style lunch with @Viatortravel. The breakfast included local wine, cheese + a balsamic vinegar tasting (I even learned that “cooked fruit” should be the 1st ingredient on the label, not vinegar!) + lunch was a multi-course extravaganza. We saw how Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Parma ham are made, we tasted the famous tagliatelle al ragu (Spaghetti bolognese) + this tour gets 5 ⭐️from me.
🍇Go to the markets. The indoor Mercato delle Erbe (vegetable market) in the historic central district will be eye candy for any photographer. Quadrilatero market off the Piazza Maggiore bursts with the best seasonal foods with most stores looking like they used a food stylist.
🍷Sip wine in an outdoor cafe. Whether it’s a narrow street or a bustling piazza, you’ll find wine shops, specialty food shops and cafes everywhere.
🍝Mangia! No need for Michelin star dining in Bologna. We feasted at Drogheria Della Rosa, Via Cartoleria 10. Tortellini, tortelloni, or whatever shaped pasta you get – you will savor each bite.
