Photos by Esme Rios, (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Student Correspondent for CET Florence, Summer 2022
![people walking down street at night](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-Summer-Streets-at-night_Florence_Street-Scene_Safety_Esme-Rios.jpg)
The streets of Florence always have a lively feel to them—even in the late evening and throughout the night. You’ll always find people wandering about, and they almost always prefer the cobblestone streets to the sidewalks.
![holdong sandwich in front of river view](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-Summer-Sandwich-and-River_Florence_Food_Esme-Rios.png)
My walk to class includes this river, with a bridge in the distance famous for selling jewelry. On this night there was beautiful live music playing there which I listened to while eating Florence’s popular paninos—a little pizza of your making inside a freshly baked focaccia bread sandwich. Molto bene!
![statues in town square](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-Summer-Statues_Florence_Street-Scene_Esme-Rios.png)
I found this square on one of my walks and stopped to stare at these beautiful statues. Florence is sprinkled with such beauty!
![man standing on sidewalk over portrait of a woman](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-Summer-Street-Artist_Florence_street-scene_Esme-Rios.png)
On my first night exploring the city, I was delighted to discover the many street artists sharing their art with onlookers. Pictured, the artist is fanning himself with the reference photo he’s using; the drawing is an impressive replica!
![classroom with cathedral image on projector](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-Summer-Duomo-Lecture_Florence_classroom_Esme-Rios.png)
Here is a presentation on a section of Florence’s Duomo—the Italian word for Cathedral. It was a pleasant surprise that even the classroom ceilings here are pleasant to look at.
![statue of man holding medusa's severed head](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-Summer-Medusa-Statue_Florence_street-scene_Esme-Rios.png)
One of the great things about Florence is that it’s extremely historically rich. The art in the city tells many different tales of the past. Here is a statue recalling the mythological image of medusa’s severed head.
![sitting across from antonio](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-Summer-lunch-with-antonio_Florence_men_Esme-Rios.png)
Another great thing about this city is its people. They’re from all over the country and world, making it a wonderful hotchpotch of culture that brings the city to life. This is Antonio, a Sicilian studying the art of winemaking in Florence.
![people standing on busy street](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-Summer-Florence-Street_Florence_Street-Scene_Esme-Rios.png)
Florence is a tremendously fast-paced environment. It feels as though you’re always one in a sea of many cluttering the streets, each person in a rush to get somewhere while expertly avoiding bikers, cars, and motorbikes.
![mirror selfies of esme holding up glass of wine](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-Summer-Esme-at-Wine-Bar_Florence_Wine-Tasting_Esme-Rios.png)
One of my absolute favorite things about Italy is the wine, and the lack of open-container laws. Anyone (over 18) can enjoy wine to-go while wandering the streets and discovering new sights in between warming sips of red wine, or refreshing vino blanco.
![croissant. mug and flowers on table](https://cetacademicprograms.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2022-Summer-Cafe_Florence_Food_Esme-Rios-548x1024.jpg)
Views from a Café