Going on vacation is a great way to kick back and unwind, but it is often not without stress and complications. You may find that if you are not super organized when it comes to your vacation planning, that some aspects of your trip do not go as planned.

Finding ways to make the process of travelling simpler and easier can go a long way to helping you enjoy yourself more!

Check out the following travel hacks to help you with your vacation.

1. Save money on your booking

One of the best ways to feel great about your vacation is to save yourself some money on your flight booking. Not only can this make your vacation feel more financially manageable but it will also leave you with more cash to spare when you are on the trip.

Saving money on your flight does not have to be hard to do. Simply take a look around at the different comparison sights to find the best offer. Some websites offer you the option to sign up for email alerts so that you can get a notification in your inbox when the price of your desired route drops.

You can also keep your eyes open for any last-minute deals and special offers from a range of different airlines.

2. Get to grips with Google Maps

There are few things as frustrating as getting lost when you are on vacation. If you do not speak the local language and you find yourself confused about where you are, then this could leave you feeling pretty stressed out.

Technology exists to make your life easier and this is especially true of Google Maps. If you are not already familiar with Google Maps, then take some time to understand how it works ahead of your vacation.

It is a good idea to download maps of the local area to your phone before you leave your hotel. This means you will still be able to find your way around when there’s no Wi-Fi to connect to.

3. Plan your route to and from the airport

Worrying about missing your flight can be the most stressful part of getting away from home!

If you are an anxious traveller then planning your route to and from the airport is definitely worth giving much consideration to.

If you drive, then taking yourself to the airport can be a sensible way to reduce some of this stress. You can load up your car the day before your trip, and then get yourself to the airport three to four hours before your scheduled flight.

The majority of international airports will have extensive parking options so that you can confidently leave your car there while you are away. If you are travelling from New York, then jfk airport long term parking options are in place to help you keep your vehicle safe.

4. Learn some simple words and phrases

If you are taking a vacation to a foreign destination, then it is a good idea to learn some phrases in the local language before you go.

Very basic words to learn are, hello, goodbye, please, and thank you. Additionally, there are several different phrases that you may wish to master. Sensible options are those that refer to asking for directions, as well as to different food and drink options.

Remember, if you do get stuck then you can always quickly find a translation on the internet if you are able to connect to Wi-Fi!

5. Pack your bags strategically

It can be easy to pack more than you need when you are going on vacation, but this can mean heavier bags and no space to bring home souvenirs and gifts.

Doing a practice pack a couple of days before your vacation can help you to only take what you actually need. Try packing your bag and then finding five or more items that you do not really need to take with you. This can be a fun challenge and force you to think about what you really do need to take with you.

There are likely a number of items that you can buy when you get there, such as toiletries, so try to assess what truly deserves a space in your suitcase.

6. Read reviews in advance of booking

When you look online to book your accommodation, you will usually be spoilt for choice, with so many seemingly great deals on offer. It is not difficult for a hotel or hostel to appear amazing, when in fact this might not be the case.

Spending some time reading what past travellers have to say about each place is a worthwhile pursuit before making your decision. If a large number of people have made negative comments about a place, then it could be a good idea to acknowledge these warning signs.

Do not be tempted by super cheap offers if there are more negative reviews than positive ones. You might save some money, but this could end up ruining your vacation.

7. Get adequate travel insurance

This is often the least exciting part of planning a trip, but it could save you a lot of money and stress in the future.

So many people forego travel insurance because they do not want to pay out for the initial expense. If your trip goes perfectly then that’s great, but it is worth having some peace of mind in case something does go wrong.

It is usually quite simple to make a claim and it is possible to get a good deal, so shop around for comprehensive cover before you take your vacation.

Making Traveling Easier

There are so many simple ways to make your vacation easier, and it is always a good idea to give some time and energy to do this.

The more research and preparation you put into your trip, the more likely you are to have a wonderful time.

If you are travelling with other people then this can be a lot to think about, so it is sensible to plan your vacation as a group with everybody having set tasks. Not only does this help to reduce the amount of work you have to do, but it can also be a fun bonding activity for you all before you go!

Nothing compares to traveling, but if you want to see the world, you don’t always have to hop on a plane. There’s so much to explore in your own country, particularly when you live in North America.

If you’re looking to get away from everything for a few weeks – or maybe even a few months – it’s worth considering a road trip. Before you do this, though, there are a few things you ought to do to ensure that you’re prepared for the adventure ahead.

Pack The Essentials

If you’re going to be away from home for a long time, you’ll want to make sure that you have everything with you that you could possibly need. This means packing all the travel essentials, alongside things to keep you clean, warm, and entertained throughout your trip.

Some stuff you can pick up during your travels, such as food and water. Items like towels, books, and pillows are best to bring along for the ride, though. Then there’s your license and registration, spare tire, car manual, and other vehicle essentials that you’ll be lost without in an emergency. Prioritize these over everything else because you don’t want to be stuck in a situation without them.

For a comprehensive list of what to pack, you can look here. Just make sure that it can all fit in your car, and that the vehicle can still drive efficiently with all that stuff inside.

Have Your Car Serviced

Your vehicle is your greatest companion when you go on a road trip. If it breaks down along the way, it can really throw a spanner in the works.

Obviously, accidents happen sometimes, so there’s no way you can entirely prevent things from going wrong. However, you can ensure that the risks are minimal by getting your car serviced before you go anywhere.

By having a professional look over your vehicle and fixing anything that could be problematic, you ensure that it’s in the best condition possible for your trip. If anything does go wrong, it won’t be because of something you could have prevented before you left home.

Wash Your Car

Not only is it worth getting your car serviced before a road trip, but it’s also beneficial to have it cleaned, too. After all, you’re going to be spending a lot of time in this vehicle, so you want it to be presentable.

You might think this is pointless, given it’s bound to get dirty again on your travels. However, washing it now means that the dirt should come off a lot easier when you return home. Plus, just imagine how grimy your car will be at the end of your trip if it’s already a mess now.

You can utilize Sundance services for carwash and laundry services if you live in Lancaster County. Whether you drive a car, truck, or SUV, you can get your vehicle spotless, so you’re ready for the road. It’s up to you if you do the job yourself or use their automatic washer, but whatever you go for, the packages on offer won’t disappoint you.

Research As Much As Possible

Thanks to technology, you don’t have to look at maps or follow road signs to know where you’re going anymore. GPS trackers and smartphones can tell you everything you need to know so that you get to your destination in one piece.

However, while that might be the case, that doesn’t mean you should skip the research before you travel. It pays to have an idea of where you’re going, even if you have a device to direct you. Should anything go wrong, it’ll stop you from feeling quite so lost.

This goes for all elements of your road trip, including accommodation and places of interest. While you might not want to plan everything out to the last second, it’s worth knowing the ins and outs of where you’re going. Researching accommodation is particularly important because the last thing you want is to stay somewhere sketchy.

Ensure Your Home Is Protected

Going away for weeks or months at a time can be a fantastic way to unwind from the daily stresses of life. However, leaving your home for that long can be quite unnerving, and the thought of the property being unattended can cause a lot of anxiety on your travels. That’s why you need to ensure that your house is protected before you leave.

There’s plenty you can do to keep your property secure and give others the impression that you’re still home. Obviously, if there will still be people living there while you’re away, you don’t need to worry so much. If your house is going to be unoccupied, though, you’ll definitely want to consider putting these strategies in place to reduce the risk of a break-in or something going wrong.

Road trips can be a brilliant way to discover yourself and have some fun after what’s been an incredibly difficult year. Before you set off on your adventure, though, just make sure you’re fully prepared for the journey ahead. That way, you won’t have any nasty surprises while you’re away.

Having a small kitchen doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to cook in a cramped, crowded space that’s uncomfortable.

With the right design and layout, you can enhance your small space and turn it into a home cook’s paradise. As cooking from home is on the rise owing to the pandemic, there has never been a better time than now to enhance your kitchen.

There are plenty of cute ways that you can turn a dull and drab room into something you can be proud to show off to your friends and family.

Here are some practical tips to help you make the most out of your small kitchen and transform it from a purely functional room into your dream cooking space.

Consider The Colour Scheme

It’s surprising how easily small factors, such as the colour of your walls, can change the way you view a room in your home. Darker walls can make your small kitchen look more cramped than it actually is, while lighter colours could make your room feel more spacious and airy. If you’re a big fan of dark colours and are eager to incorporate them into your kitchen design, then try using a darker signature wall. You can surround this darker signature section with lighter colours to give the illusion that your kitchen is lighter and brighter than it would be if it were painted entirely in dark colours.

Get Inventive With Your Kitchen Storage

One of the toughest challenges that small kitchen owners face is where to put everything. If you own a lot of pots, pans and bulky appliances, then it might seem impossible to store them all out of sight and make your kitchen appear roomier. That’swhy you should get creative with your kitchen storage solutions. There are plenty of innovative storage ideas for small kitchens out there, so you can find one that suits your space.

 

Clear Out Your Old Junk

When you start incorporating your creative storage solutions into your small kitchen, you should consider throwing out any old appliances, tools or ingredients that you don’t use regularly. If you bought an old appliance and haven’t used it in years, or you have old spices that you’re keeping ‘just in case’, then you should consider getting rid of them. Old food and ingredients can be thrown away or, if they’re still in date, but you won’t use them, you could donate them to a food charity. Old appliances and tools you could sell online, or you could donate them to a charity to sell.

 

Use A Glossy Finish

It’s a renowned fact that mirrors can make a small room look bigger, so consider incorporating mirros into the design of your kitchen. Not only will they make the room look larger, but they will also be handy if you need to touch up your hair or visage before a date night or a celebration and don’t have time to abandon your cooking! As well as mirrors, you could also consider using a glossy finish on your kitchen counters, cabinets and appliances to subtly make your kitchen look more spacious and bright. Matte finishes might be fashionable, but their dull surface can make your small kitchen feel even more cramped, so try going for a high gloss finish to turn your small room into a striking kitchen.

Photo credit

Add A Brunch Bar

A trendy brunch bar can easily turn any kitchen into a cute space, and they don’t take up much room, making these solutions ideal for small kitchens. If you’re already short on space and not sure that a brunch bar will fit, then consider making your brunch bar multi-purpose; you can keep the stools underneath it and consider using the brunch bar as a countertop when you’re cooking, then bringing out the stools when you’re ready to eat.

 

Work With Expert Kitchen Designers

Reimaging your kitchen and turning a cramped kitchen into a spacious-looking, airy space, might not come easily to all homeowners. If you’re not usually the creative type and you don’t feel that you understand interior design, then try collaborating with a professional team of kitchen designers. Kitchen Capital understands how to turn even the smallest of spaces into a beautiful, contemporary kitchen, so consider working with them to upgrade your small kitchen this year.

 

Think Outside Of The Box

When you’re trying to redesign your kitchen, it’s easy to get caught up in what other people do with their rooms, or how the kitchen was originally laid out. However, with a little imagination and innovation, you can transform your kitchen and make it feel much more comfortable and inviting. Work with your kitchen designers, if you’re hiring them, and don’t be afraid to push the boundaries of kitchen design to turn your small space into a kitchen that you can be proud to call yours.

At the end of every month, we all hold our breath as we wait for the bills to come in. Water, gas, the streaming services we all subscribed to during lockdown, not to mention rent and taxes, and of course: electricity. These costs all add up, and at a time when we are looking to tighten our belts and save those pennies, we should all be making the extra effort to cut those bills down. Now, we are all spending a lot more time indoors than we usually would, and when we are both working and relaxing at home, it can be hard to see how we can start to cut down on our electricity usage. However, with a bit more care and a little patience, we can see some savings.

Make Sure The Appliances Are Properly Switched Off

We know that nobody is perfect, and in the past we have all been guilty of simply closing our laptop, hitting standby on the television, or simply forgetting we left the speakers on. We all know that these actions have an impact on the lifespan of our machines, but they also have a big part to play in those hefty electricity bills. Yes, even when your appliances are in standby they are continuing to use electricity, with televisions and multi-room speakers named as the biggest culprits. So, if you’re not actively using these machines, make sure they are properly switched off either at the back or at the wall.

Switch To A More Energy-Efficient Lighting

We all know the rule that you should turn the lights off when you’re leaving a room. However, there are savings to be made even when you’ve got all the lights on in the evening. You may not realise, but LED light bulbs only lose 10-20% of their energy as waste heat, as opposed to traditional bulbs which can lose 80%. They also have a longer lifetime, so you’ll be cutting down on buying new ones too! LED light bulbs can be used for outdoor lighting, spot-lights and even bedside lights and lamps. So, the next time you’re looking to buy E27 bulbs, make the switch to LED and start saving. You can read more about why it’s time to switch and browse a wide range of bulbs and fittings at Any-Lamp.

Find Other Ways To Dry Your Clothes

We get it, at this time of year when you come home completely drenched and freezing cold, you want to just throw your clothes in the dryer and get them nice and toasty as quickly as possible. But if you’re looking to cut down on how much electricity you’re using, then you are going to want to stop that impulse dead in its tracks. Laundry dryers are always found on the lists of electricity-guzzling home appliances, and if you have a well-ventilated home, you should always consider drying your clothes on a rack if possible. Remember: if you have to use a dryer, be sure to do one full load rather than several small ones.

Keeping your home clean and tidy is typically an on-going job. Every time you clean one room, it’s time to move on to the next as it plays out in a never-ending cycle. But how many times have you cleaned your house only to find it doesn’t look that fresh or renewed and that in all reality it probably needs a deep cleaning. Thankfully a deep clean isn’t something your home needs daily, but it should still be done on the regular.

So, let’s go over six deep cleaning tips that will provide you with the maximum results and have your home feeling and looking fresh and renewed.

Give Kitchen Appliances a Good Washing and Scrub

Your kitchen appliances tend to be the most-used appliances in the entire house. Often they are being used multiple times a day, which means dirt, grime, food, and spills will occur. It’s for this reason you should get into the habit of giving them a deep cleaning every few months.

Be sure to read the cleaning instructions for your oven, so as to do it properly. When it comes to the refrigerator, you’ll need to empty the contents – one shelf at a time – so you can scrub the shelves themselves and the sides of the fridge. As for the dishwasher, allowing it to run on a cycle with no dishes in it and instead, using vinegar as a cleaning agent will deliver excellent results.

Professional Deep Carpet Cleaning Produces “Like New” Results

Vacuuming your carpets on a regular basis certainly helps to keep them clean, but this isn’t going to help where deep cleaning is concerned. Dust, dirt, animal dander, and hair can all work their way deep into the carpet. Not only that but messes, spills, and stains can happen and spot cleaning doesn’t always do the trick. This is why professional carpet cleaning is such an excellent option.

When it comes to the best carpet cleaning services that offer professional results, Marks Carpet Cleaning, a Middleton carpet cleaning service, is a fabulous option. Its experts specialize in all types of carpets including oriental rug cleaning – which can be very delicate and requires experience and the right tools. Consider it a spa treatment for your carpet, as they will look fresh and new, and smell fabulous after the cleaning.

Wash Cloth Curtains If Safe to Do So

Another deep cleaning tip is to take down any cloth curtains in your house and wash them in the washing machine. Keep in mind that not all cloth curtains can be washed, so be sure to read the care and cleaning instructions first. This is a great way to get rid of dust that builds on curtains and helps to keep them fresh looking.

Grout in the Bathroom Tends to Get Really Grimy

Here's a spot that no-one loves to clean but the reality is that it can get really grimy and dirty if you don't keep up with it. Bathroom grout tends to be the first place that dirt starts to build. It’s clearly visible and makes lighter coloured grout look grey or even black. Simply spraying it with the typical tile cleaner and a quick pass with a paper towel won't do anything. Instead, it's going to require some elbow grease.

You can actually make your own high-effective grout cleaner using water, baking soda, and vinegar. You can put your cleaning solution in a spray bottle so you can direct it to the areas of concern. After spraying the grout use a bristled brush - even a toothbrush will work - and start scrubbing. If that doesn't get it clean, you can mix up a little baking soda in water so that you create a thick paste and then use the brush to scrub it on.

When you're finished cleaning be sure to give the entire tile and grout a good rinse with warm water.

Move the Furniture to Ensure a Good Cleaning

Then there is vacuuming, which on its own is fine but what about all those areas the vacuum typically doesn't reach? Furniture allows dust and dirt to become trapped and without moving things out of the way, it’s just going to continue to build.

A deep cleaning tip is to move all the furniture to the center of the room if possible so that you can properly vacuum. This also allows you to vacuum the baseboards, which are known for collecting dust.

Wash All the Bedding - Not Just the Sheets

This is also a great time to strip your bed of all bedding - this means the comforter, duvet, throw pillow covers, and throw blankets. All of these should be washed to ensure dust mites aren't building up. It will also get rid of any odours or stains that are lingering.

A Cleaning Job You Can Feel Happy With

By following these tips, you’ll be giving your house an excellent and thorough deep cleaning.

February is the month of Love and my favourite month of the year! And with Love day around the corner, I wanted to give you some DIY inspirations for Valentine's Day. Check out some of these posts below and get crafty!

Let's Bake Some Love Cupcakes

This is one of the earlier baking DIYs that I did for Valentine's day and it's still one of my favourites. Once you split the cupcake in half, a heart is revealed! And the best part of this DIY is that you can use your own favourite cupcake recipe! Check out the post here.

Love Coupon Book Printable

Make this coupon book with my free printable to pamper your partner on Valentine's Day! Whether it's offering a romantic massage or a day of doing nothing, there're lots of ideas to make your date night special. All you have to do is download from the link on the page and assemble based on the instructions. Check out the post here.

Easy Strawberry Pocky Cheesecake

You cannot get by Valentine's day without having something sweet, can you? This simple cheesecake recipe uses strawberry Pocky sticks to decorate! It's super easy, effortless and too cute to eat! Check out the post here.
 

Ferrero Rocher Chocolate Bouquet

I had once received this bouquet myself and absolutely loved it! I had it as decoration in my room for the longest time. Then before eating them, I took them apart one by one to see how it was done. And I realized it was very easy to replicate! And you can use different colour tissue paper to create the look you want. Check out the post here.

 

Love is in the Air Paper Cutout Card

Create these stunning paper cutout greeting cards with any cutting machine (e.g. Cricut, Silhouette, Cameo cutting machine) from my SVG digital file! This is also perfect to make and send during wedding seasons! Check out the post here. Also available readymade in my shop!

Hope you enjoy these DIY ideas and have a fabulous Valentine's!

Hello everyone! I'm so excited to share with you my new paper cutout card that I created for Valentine's Day! If you've been following my blog, you'd know that I created these whimsical winter wonderland themed cards for the Christmas holiday and it was a huge hit!

So I thought I'd expand this paper cutout collection to include something for Valentine's day. I was picturing the iconic hot air balloon ride in Cappadocia when I designed this card. There's something about a hot air balloon that makes it whimsical and fairytale-like. I didn't get to make a stop at Cappadocia when I travelled to Turkey a few years ago. But since this is high on my bucket list, I'm setting myself a goal to cross it off once it's safe to travel again!

For now, I could only dream about being on one of these hot air balloon rides and fantasize how romantic it would be drifting across the glowing sky towards the red sunset. 

How to Make Paper Cutout Valentine's Day Card

To create this card, you'll need my SVG file to use on your cutting machine (I use a Cricut). Unlike my other SVG digital file, this one is a two-step process when loading the file onto your Cricut Design Space. Since the wordings are lettered by hand separately, you'd have to layer the PNG file containing this lettering on top of the background SVG file. You might not be able to see the content of the PNG file because the lettering is in white on a transparent background but once you upload it to Design Space, you'd see it. Here's what it looks like after you insert the lettering PNG file on top of the background SVG file:

So 2020 wasn’t really the year for weddings, and with the restrictions that have been in place for almost a year now, many people have been forced to reduce the size of their weddings and only have 15 guests. If your wedding plans have been affected by the current pandemic and you now have to consider a smaller, more intimate wedding then read further. Or alternatively, if you have recently got engaged and want to plan a smaller and more intimate wedding then here are some tips and inspiration for you.

Having a smaller, intimate wedding is something that many people choose to do; rather than spend thousands on a big celebration, they choose to keep it small and spend their money on the things that really matter to them as a couple. Just because you are having a smaller wedding it doesn’t mean that you won’t create an exciting experience for you and your guests. In many cases, because you have less people it will allow you to be more creative with your budget and perhaps incorporate things that you wouldn’t have considered before.

Venue

One of the first things that most people who have recently got engaged think about is where they’d like to tie the knot. There are loads of options out there for you, it just might take you some time to do some research. Think about what you both would like, are you looking for a cute, countryside manor or perhaps something more modern in a city. One thing that is good to look for is an exclusive use venue. This will ensure that you don’t have to share your venue with anyone else on your special day and there will only be you and your guests there. This is even more special if you have chosen a luxury countryside venue as you will be able to make use of the on-site accommodation and make a mini holiday out of it. By having an intimate wedding and having a smaller number of guests it will mean that you could be more flexible on the day of the week you get married. Some venues offer mid-week deals so this might be something to consider and look into. Alternatively, if you’d like to do something completely different why not have a really intimate wedding, use a celebrant and get married on a beach.

Guestlist

With a fewer number of guests being allowed, you will need to sit down and think about who you want to invite. With current restrictions weddings have been limited to only 15 guests including the bride and groom. This doesn’t however include anyone working on the wedding so this is a good thing to remember when researching your suppliers.

One good thing about having a smaller number of guests is that your budget will travel further. You will only have to pay for meals for 15 people rather than 100+ so this means you could even experiment with your menu options.

As you will only be having really close family or friends at your wedding there are ways that you can still allow your wider family and friends to be part of your day. There are a few options available when it comes to live streaming, so you could look into live streaming your wedding ceremony on a zoom link for those people who can’t attend.

Entertainment & maximizing guests experience

As mentioned previously, a smaller wedding party means that you will have more budget to allocate to other things such as entertainment that will enhance your guests' experience on the day. You could opt to have some live music during your wedding ceremony or perhaps during your wedding breakfast, rather than having streamed music. Having live music is something that will really enhance the ambience. As the current restrictions have meant that people are not able to have an evening celebration and therefore no band, you might choose to get a musician to play during your wedding breakfast and then play an acoustic version of your first dance to end the day. This would be something that would be really special.

When it comes to decorating your venue, having a smaller wedding means that you can really make the most of your décor and if you are a creative person, why not have a go at making your own table centrepieces or favours.

Format of the day

Choosing to have an intimate wedding doesn’t mean that you have to lose out on anything and the format of the day will generally be the same, although, with the current restrictions that are in place, couples are not able to have an evening celebration. You can still have a wedding breakfast after your ceremony and have everything you usually would have, such as cake cutting, speeches and first dance, it just means that the number of people who are there sharing at the moment will be much smaller. This could be used to your advantage though and you could always look to organize a large party with everyone in a few months when things have got back to normal.

I updated Justice's nursery room recently with a teepee! And of course, I had to jazz it up a bit to tie in with his room a little better. And because easy and inexpensive DIYs are my thing, I made these decorations with cardstocks and a wooden circle I already have at home. 

If you're interested in this DIY, feel free to download my template (you can find the link at the bottom of this post). Make a stencil with my template and cut out the shapes from your cardstocks. If you have a cutting machine (I used a Cricut), it'll be easier to just upload my template onto Design Space and let the machine do the job. 

Once the feathers are cut out, I glued the parallelogram pieces onto each feather shape. 

Stack 2 feather shapes together and tape along the side so that it's hollow in the middle for you to insert into the poles.

      

  

To create a sign for the teepee, I used my wood burner and burnt "lil man cave" onto the wooden circle. Attached some cotton rope to the back of the circle and just hung it up! I'm in love with how it looks! Justice loves crawling in and out of his teepee and having story times inside with mama and papa.

For a closer look at this DIY, I posted a story on my Instagram @tingandthings_ filed under "DIY". Check out the rest of his room when it was first set up here.

If you give this a try, be sure to share your pictures with me on Instagram and tag me or use hashtag #diywithting. I'd love to see your take on it!

 

 

 Check out my other nursery decor DIY tutorials

DIY Wall Hanging Banner

DIY Rainbow Wall Hanging Decor

If you only have the weekend in Florence, it pays to have a planned itinerary. There is just so much to see and do in this picturesque city that you cannot fit it all into a few days. Whether you are coming for a romantic getaway or a family vacation, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Three days and two nights in Florence can be packed with a culture like museums, galleries, and theatres or full of fun such as boating and playing at the park. Couples will love an evening boat ride on the River Arno or a romantic dinner at a rooftop restaurant.

Regardless of why you are in Florence, if you want to see as much as you can from Friday night when you arrive on Sunday when you leave, we want to help. We have some suggestions for everyone. Remember, when out and about in the city, don’t drag along heavy shopping parcels and bags. Leave them in a luggage storage locker in Florence while you tour around. 

Friday Night

Salino Restaurant & Wine Bar

After arriving and dropping off your bags, you may want to kick back and relax or enjoy some nightlife. You can do both at Salino Restaurant & Wine Bar. Found on Via Ghibellina, this place is just as well-known for its food as its bar scene. They have everything from Chianti with a thick T-bone or ribeye steak to gin and tonic with wild boar stew. 

Saturday

Breakfast at Leonardo’s

Leonardo’s artisanal bakery is well-known for its handmade biscuits, flatbread, and amazing cantucci, which are Italian almond cookies. Located in the Sant'ambrogio neighbourhood, enjoy watching the bakers at work as you choose your breakfast items. 

Florence Cathedral and the Duomo

In the Piazza del Duomo, start out at the Cathedral, built between 1296 and 1436. It is the most well-known landmark in the city with its 376-foot tall dome. Crowned with a lantern and cross, you can see the dome from anywhere in the city.

Inside, you can find a collection of artistry such as the huge clock made by Paolo Uccello, the Divine Comedy painting by Domenico di Michelino, and the equestrian statue of Niccolo da Tolentino. And the details of the artwork under the dome are also exquisite including the Last Judgement.
Florence Baptistry (Baptistry of St. John)

Also in the Piazza del Duomo, the Florence Baptistery is one of the oldest structures in Florence, constructed between 1059 and 1128. Built in a Romanesque style, the Baptistry has some of the most beautiful architectural designs as well as its famous detailed bronze doors.

Many notable residents were baptized here, including poet Dante Alighieri and the Medici family. It also contains the tomb of Antipope John XXIII designed by Michelozzo Michelozzi and Donatello. Do not miss the mosaic floors and ceiling, which are works of art as well.
Giotto’s Campanile (Bell Tower)

Also known as Giotto’s Bell Tower, the campanile is part of the Florence Cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo. At 279 feet high, it is divided into five sections. The bells section and four sections of works of art. The tower has no elevators, so plan to walk up the 414 steps to the top.

The first section is the hexagonal panels on the lower level that celebrates the creation of man. The lozenges on the second level have four sections: Planets, Theological Virtues, Liberal Arts, and the Seven Sacraments. The next level features four statues in each niche. The last section includes the next three levels of the tower. 

Lunch at the Shake Café

The Shake Café has three locations in Florence so you can find one nearby no matter where you are. Start with a salad or salmon toast and fill up with a turkey BLT, club sandwich, or Kimchi grilled cheese. Or you can have one of their six wrap flavors. Don’t forget to try one of their famous shakes or smoothies. 

Accademia Galleria

Although it is the smaller of the two main art galleries, Accademia Galleria holds the most famous sculpture in the world, David by Michelangelo. The rest of the collection is nothing to scoff at either, with four other works by Michelangelo as well as Orcagna, Alessandro Allori, and Pontormo.
Uffizi Gallery

The Uffizi Gallery is a major art gallery located in the Piazza della Signoria. Built in the late 1500s, the complex holds some of the most important artworks in the world. You can see Self-Portrait as a Young Man by Rembrandt, Flora by Titian, The Annunciation by Da Vinci, and the Holy Family by Michelangelo.
Dinner at Osteria del Porcellino

Osteria del Porcellino is right across the street from the Porcellino Fountain where you can make a wish by putting a coin in the boar’s mouth and rubbing his snout for luck. At this beautiful establishment, you can find stewed boar, fried lamb, and Florentine veal ossobuco. Don’t miss the tiramisu or zuccotto for dessert. 

Pink Club

Stop in for a nightcap and some fun at Pink Club. Whether you want to dance to the beats hosted by famous DJs or sit at one of the comfy booths and enjoy some drinks before bed, Pink has what you want. On certain nights they even have themes with lights and entertainment. 

Sunday

Boboli Gardens

After breakfast, take a stroll through the Boboli Gardens and Park behind the Pitti Palace. Besides rose and crocus gardens, the park has some amazing fountains here, including the Fountain of the Ocean and the Fountain of Neptune. Don’t miss the Apollo, Ceres, and Jupiter sculptures by Baccio Bandinelli from the 1500s.

Shopping

Since it is your last day in Florence, be sure to do some shopping for souvenirs. The Florence Gift Shop on Via de’ Neri is a nice small place to find inexpensive souvenirs. But if you want to shop at a mall with lots of choices, try the Firenze Mall. It has over 35 shops like Versace and Gucci and two eateries for lunch.

Make sure you try some of the Italian and Tuscan cuisines while you are in town. Naked ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta, lampredotto (tripe sandwich), and prosciutto are all very popular. And you cannot leave without trying their gelato. They are famous for it, after all.


Sources

https://www.visitflorence.com/itineraries-in-florence/a-weekend-in-florence.html
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/italy/tuscany/florence/articles/florence-travel-guide/
https://www.roughguides.com/articles/a-day-by-day-itinerary-for-the-perfect-weekend-in-florence/
https://www.heatheronhertravels.com/a-perfect-weekend-in-florence/
https://www.comune.fi.it/
https://theculturetrip.com/europe/italy/articles/15-foods-you-must-try-in-florence-italy/