Written by Ava Marcus (Cornell University), Student Correspondent for CET Florence, Spring 2026
Florence has been an exciting city to explore, housing museums overflowing with art and restaurants serving delicious food. However, now that the weather is very sunny and warm, spring is the perfect time to engage in outdoor activities and appreciate the beauty of the city’s nature. Come with me as I take you through my favorite ways I have sprung into this Italian spring.
Make a Splash
After walking across the bridges above the Arno River every day, I was finally able to make a splash in it! CET organized a rafting excursion, so we suited up with lifejackets, grabbed a paddle, and carried our boats into the river.
It was so much fun working as a team, getting acclimated to paddling synchronously, and learning about the buildings that line the water as we paddled under the bridges. While I did get absolutely soaked when we went down the little waterfall, it was all worth it when our boat earned second place in the race!
Picnic in the Garden
With CET, we took a quick walk to the beautiful Rose Garden for a lovely picnic in the park. We snacked on tasty Tuscan pastries, including schiacciata, which is a crunchy bread, and la torta della nonna, which translates to “grandma’s cake” and consists of a buttery shortcrust pastry shell filled with custard. We loved sitting surrounded by the beautiful flowers while soaking in the sun and unwinding together.
See the Italian Sea
I definitely recommend making sure you explore other areas of Italy during the last weeks studying abroad here. Since the weather is warm, it is the perfect time to head to the coast and relax at a beach with a view of the sea.
I hopped on a quick train to take a day trip to Cinque Terre, an area on the coast composed of five charming towns with hiking trails between each one. It was interesting to lie on a rocky beach by the sea, as I am so accustomed to the ocean meeting the sand. Italy is such a diverse country with an abundance of nature to offer, so take advantage of all the sites.
Stop and Smell the Markets
All around Florence, you can find tons of street markets with vendors selling fresh produce, beautiful flowers, ornate jewelry, and real leather. Some markets come to life only on the weekends, such as the Santa Croce Market, but most are open all week long.
The Sant’Ambrogio Farmers Market is ideal for fresh fruits and vegetables, and the Piazza Santo Spirito Flea Market offers a collection of unique antiques and hidden treasures. Grab a friend and a tote bag and stroll through the outdoor stands—you might find your new staple necklace!
Aperitivo with Italian Friends
CET offered so many fun activities in March and April, and I signed up for them all! Another special one I took part in was Aperitivo with Italian Friends, where we met at a very cool restaurant with outdoor seating to talk with local Italians around our age.
We chatted about university, their jobs, and our hobbies over drinks and delicious food. I will take every chance I can get to interact with local Florentines to better understand the culture and daily life here. While learning about cultural differences, I have also come to realize that we share many of the same interests too.
Taste of Tuscany
Southern Tuscany is a quick drive away with scenes consisting of rolling hills, olive trees, and grape vines. I did a Vineyard Tour in the Chianti area, where I learned about the process for creating and the specifications for Chianti and Super Tuscan wines, and the making of extra virgin olive oil.
CET offers an excursion to an Olive Oil Mill for a tasting of various olive oils and the proper food pairings. Seeing each step of the mechanism for creating olive oil, starting from handpicking each olive from the groves through the pressing, gave me a better appreciation for the freshness and quality of Italian foods.
Pasquetta in the Park
The Monday following Easter (“Pasqua”) is called Pasquetta and is a national holiday in Italy. After spending Easter with family, many Italian teens will spend their Monday off from school with their friends by each bringing a dish to eat, playing sports, and listening to music.
I was granted the incredible experience of spending the holiday weekend with my friend’s family living near Naples, so we joined her cousins and their friends for Pasquetta at a nearby park. We chatted with the students around our age, and they taught us how to play an Italian card game. If you cannot spend the holiday with Italians, I definitely advise spending the day at a park in Florence with friends.
Chill Out
There is no better way to cool down on a warm day than eating refreshing gelato by the Arno River. It is very important to try as many gelaterias and flavors during your time in Italy, and it tastes especially yummy under the warm sun. In between classes, grab a cone or cup and stroll through the streets, taking in the sights and the people all out and about enjoying the weather.
I cannot believe that my time in Florence is almost over, but my study abroad experience has had such a significant impact on my life. I’ve grown to be more confident and independent, traveled to cities I did not know existed before living in Europe, and interacted with countless interesting people. I will certainly be soaking up the rest of springtime I have here by adventuring through the outdoors of Florence and saying “Yes!” to every last opportunity to see something unique or meet new people.