The Perfect Florence Italy 3-Day Itinerary

Ads are how we keep our blog free for you to enjoy. We also use affiliate links; if you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you. Terracotta rooftops shimmering in the Tuscan sun, the Arno river flowing calmly beneath centuries-old bridges and the sound of footsteps on cobbled streets. The same cobblestones artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo once walked on, but now worn in time. The lovely smell of freshly baked pastries and the rich aroma of espresso fills the warm Mediterranean air. Welcome to what’s in store on this Florence Italy 3-Day itinerary!Italy is one of those countries that boasts a lot of world-famous cities (so many, I feel bad for other countries). How about a world-famous city in a world-famous province? Florence, in Tuscany, ticks all the boxes! This city was once home to many of the great Renaissance artists of Italy and today, centuries later, you can still feel their presence and influence everywhere you go.Luckily we have our good friend David who’s visited Florence, fallen in love, and written a fantastic Florence Italy 3-Day Itinerary!Psst: Planning a trip to Italy & Europe? Here are some other helpful posts:READ THIS POST40 Things Nobody Tells You About Southern Italy TravelThe gorgeous terra cotta roofs of Florence. (Photo Credit)Florence Italy 3-day Itinerary FAQsIf you’ve never been to Florence – or Firenze as it’s called in Italian – you probably have some questions! Here is some basic info you’ll need for your Florence itinerary:What is the best time to visit Florence? Spring and autumn are probably the best time for most people. Especially for first-time visitors Temperatures are very pleasant, between 60 and 70 Fahrenheit, while the city is not packed with other tourists. It will be busy, but nothing like the crowds you’ll experience in summer. If you can’t handle crowds, or you love your photos to have as little strangers in them as possible, then winter is perfect for you. Temperatures in winter range between 30s and 50s Fahrenheit.But don’t cancel your plans for summer yet! I prefer to visit Florence in summer! Yes, it’s busy and there are queues to get in the attractions and sites, but it’s hot and sunny. It creates the quintessential hazy skies and slightly dimmed light I love so much about Italy, which is great if you’re into photography. The nights are warm too, ideal for a late-night, romantic stroll through the city.Ponte Vecchio is the oldest bridge in Florence and a great place to shop local vendors! (Photo Credit)How Do I get to Florence?Florence is really well-connected. It has its own airport with flights to and from major destinations in Europe. Florence also has great railway connections with Pisa, Perugia, Bologna, Milan, Rome and Genoa. If you fly in from the US or Canada, you will most likely fly to Rome, Milan or Bologna, then take a train to Florence.How do I get around Florence?Getting around Florence is a piece of tiramisu. You can walk from one end of the city to the other in about 30 minutes. (In a straight line that is! There is so much to see, that this is a challenge). Either way, you really don’t need to use public transport, unless you can’t walk longer distances. In that case, there are bus and tram services, as well as taxis. Bus routes C1, C2, C3 and C4 take you around the city of Florence. Lines 12 and 13 go up the hill to Piazzale Michelangelo. There are three tram routes, but they don’t go through the city center. Take them if you want to get out of the city (but really, Florence is not a place you would want to leave). Buy your tram or bus tickets at newsagents and tobacco kiosks (it’s random, I know), or get a public transport pass from them if you’re going to use the buses and trams a lot. This pass is called Agile 10 and is good for ten 90-minute journeys.READ THIS POSTThe Ultimate 3-Day Amsterdam Itinerary (By A Local)View walking across the Ponte Vecchio (Photo Credit)Florence Italy 3-day ItineraryFlorence is not an enormous city, but there is plenty to see and do for a first-visit weekend getaway. This city will call you back for more though (I know it worked its magic on me!). But first things first: time to explore Florence with this essential three-day itinerary for first-time visitors!Note: We have assigned days of the week to this itinerary to be a weekend itinerary. This itinerary can of course work for weekdays as well, just make sure you check that businesses are open on the days you plan on visiting.Florence Italy 3-day Itinerary: Friday ArrivalOnce you’ve made your way from the airport to Florence Santa Maria Novella train station, make your way to the hotel, freshen up and get back out as soon as you can. Don’t do too much today, but definitely take in this new destination. A walk through the city is just perfect for some gentle sightseeing and getting your bearings. Dinner at Trattoria MarioYou must be hungry by now. It’s probably quite late for dinner, but Italians love to dine late and take their time. Join them! (When in Rome… oh, never mind.)Trattoria Mario is a very typical Italian restaurant. Eating here is like being in someone’s house, where your Italian uncle (Mario) has prepared a delicious meal. How fresh is the food? Well the menu changes every day. But according to them “you will always find the Fiorentina Steak, our super Ragù and the Ribollita“! This spot is a great introduction to Florentine cuisine!The one, the only, David! (Photo Credit)Saturday, Day 1: Artistic DelightsToday you’ll get to see art. A lot of art! In my case, it was probably more art in a day than I’ve ever seen in my life, but that’s a story for later. The entire city of Florence is like a museum. There’s history and art everywhere. It’s a bit like Rome, but much more concentrated.Meet David at the Galleria dell’AccademiaStart early to see a celebrity here. The moment you step into the Galleria dell’Accademia there is a buzz. The atmosphere is electric. People are here to see David, not me David the author, but the slightly more famous David! I’m talking about Michelangelo’s statue “David” of course. Tourists flock around the statue for a quick photo, while art lovers gaze at every detail of this stunning statue. You can see people are excited, but play it cool because it’s still a museum. There’s no doubt about it, David is the star of this gallery. Time to leave then? Absolutely not! There is a lot more to see at Galleria dell’Academia.You should explore the rest of the gallery. It’s full of Michelangelo’s lesser-known works and unfinished sculptures. It makes you wonder why he hadn’t managed to finish them. Or how long they have been standing in his workshop, exactly the way you can see them today. It’s like a treasure chest full of Renaissance art, including works by Sandro Botticelli and Andrea del Sarto!Galleria dell’Academia gets busy, as it is so popular. Get skip-the-line tickets here (unless you’re someone who finds immense satisfaction in queueing for some reason).READ THIS POSTThe Perfect 5-Day Switzerland ItineraryFrom the tower of the Duomo di Firenze, you can see the sweeping city from up high! (Photo Credit)Climb the Duomo di FirenzeI’m a bit weird with cathedrals. Once you’ve seen one you’ve seen them all, right? I feel bad for having this thought because every cathedral is an awe-inspiring structure that took so much effort and time to build. Still, they are all a bit the same. Ssh, don’t tell anyone!The Cathedral of Florence is different (woohoo!). It’s one of the few cathedrals that really stands out to me. It’s the one I easily remember as well. (Brain! Give me a picture of the cathedral of Florence! Ah yes, the one with the big dome of course!)  The first thing you’ll notice is the enormous central dome. The next thing is the size of the entire structure. When Florence Cathedral was built in 1436, it was the largest church in the world. And even now we have modern building techniques, the dome still remains the biggest structure ever built from bricks. Impressive!What makes the cathedral stand out from others – for me at least – is the facade. It’s not just one color. The beautiful white marble contrasts with the dark green windows and edges, which makes it look different to any cathedral I’ve ever seen.Back to that enormous dome…you can climb it! You should climb it! I have to admit, the way to the top is not easy. The staircases are steep and very narrow at times. Give it a miss if you’re not fit or claustrophobic (or if you’re scared of heights, of course). Once you’re at the top, you’ll be able to see the whole city of Florence and its surroundings. An unforgettable view!Buy skip-the-line tickets for Duomo di Firenze before you go, unless you love waiting in line (yeah, me neither).These ain’t your mom’s sandwiches from I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti! (Photo Credit The Foodie Kate)Lunch at I’ Girone De’ GhiottiApostrophes in weird places, I know, but the actual restaurant is great! You’re in Florence, so have a sandwich for lunch! A sandwich you say? Hell yes! Think sandwich, but made with freshly baked focaccia bread, fresh cold meats, the best tomatoes and vegetables. Amazing!The people who work at I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti are super friendly and will find and make you your new favorite sandwich in no time! It’s a takeaway restaurant, although they put some chairs outside sometimes, so you can eat your sandwich. Expect queues, but also expect the best sandwiches you can get in Florence!Fountain of Neptune at Piazza della Signoria. (Photo Credit)Experience Piazza della SignoriaPiazza della Signoria is not just a square you stroll across and call it a day. There is so much to see and do here, that you can easily spend a few hours here. Some of the things you have to see in the piazza are:Visit Palazzo Vecchio – You can’t miss this building. It’s huge! It was built in 1299 and modified throughout the centuries. Nowadays it’s the town hall and you can visit it to admire all the art that covers the walls and ceilings. I would recommend a guided tour, so you can learn more about its secrets. This old palace is full of secret passages, built by the influential Medici family to escape their enemies.Admire the statues – Basically, Piazza della Signoria is an open-air sculpture gallery. There’s a replica of Michelangelo’s David, “Perseus with the head of Medusa” by Cellini and “Hercules and Cacus” by Baccio Bandinelli (which was actually commissioned to Michelangelo, but the large block didn’t make it to Florence in time).Peep into Loggia dei Lanzi – On the corner of the square, you can see a big shelter. This was originally used to lodge the German pikemen of Grand Duke Cosimo I. Now it is a shelter for sculptures such as “The Marzocco Lion” and “Hercules and Nessus”.Fountain of Neptune – You won’t be surprised that even the fountain on Piazza della Signoria is adorned with beautiful sculptures of mythological gods and creatures. The fountain was designed by Baccio Bandinelli, but made by Bartolomeo Ammannati in 1574. It took 14 years to make.Get Hot Chocolate from a Cafe – People-watching is best done from a terrace of one of the cafes on the square. Enjoy a pastry and a cup of coffee, while you watch the world go by. My favorite is Caffè Rivoire, which is famous for its hot chocolate. Italian hot chocolate is rich and smooth and this one is perfection. Do you only drink hot chocolate in winter? Well, you shouldn’t!Sandro Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus” is actually very similar to what my own birth looked like! (Photo Credit)Get your dose of Renaissance art at the Uffizi GalleryThe Uffizi is one of the most famous galleries in the world and a must-see when you’re in Florence. At the beginning of this post I mentioned you will see more art than you’ll ever see in your life and I meant the Uffizi. Storytime!The first time I visited the Uffizi was with a travel partner (ok, it was my mom). I flew her in for a weekend in Florence. I wanted to show her the Uffizi because I knew she loves paintings. We spent most of the day there though it was 90 Fahrenheit outside and probably not much cooler inside the Uffizi. At some point, all the paintings started to look the same to me, but that’s what you do for your mom right? Just when I couldn’t take it anymore we finally left. As we enjoyed a well-deserved coffee on Piazza della Signoria she said, “Sorry, I couldn’t take it any longer. I love a good painting, but that was way too much. I didn’t know you were THAT into art!” You. Didn’t. Know. Whaaat? We still laugh about that now.So yes, please visit the Uffizi, but make sure you don’t spend all day there. Unless you’re really into art of course (like my mom!). Get your head around this: the Uffizi has more than 100 rooms with over 2,200 paintings. You need a plan! Here’s a plan!Must-sees in the Uffizi:“Primavera” by Sandro Botticelli“The Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli“Madonna of the Goldfinch” by Raphael“Annunciation” by Leonardo da Vinci“Madonna with the Long Neck” by Parmigianino“Venus of Urbino” by Titian“Doni Tondo” by Michelangelo“Medusa” by Caravaggio“Laocoön and His Sons” by Baccio BandinelliIf you want to see the best artworks, while learning more about the paintings, I recommend booking this guided tour of the Uffizi on GetYourGuide.READ THIS POSTWhere to Stay in Paris for the First Time (& Where Not To Stay)Ponte Vecchio at sunset. (Photo Credit)Walk across Ponte Vecchio at sunsetPonte Vecchio (Old Bridge) is the only medieval bridge in Florence that wasn’t destroyed in World War II. When it was time for the Nazis to retreat from Florence, they blew up all the bridges across the river. All except Ponte Vecchio, because Hitler liked the look of this elegant bridge. This is also where he made the Pact of Steel with Mussolini, so he saved the bridge.Of course, Ponte Vecchio has been through a lot more before that. After all, it was built in 1345, so it really is an Old Bridge! Back in its glory days, there were houses, shops and taverns alongside the bridge, bustling with vendors. Later on, it was mainly tanners and butchers that worked here. When the Medici family took over Florence in the 16th century, this changed.They had to cross the bridge to get from town to their home – Palazzo Pitti – and couldn’t stand all the mess and smells of the butchered meat. The Grand Duke ordered that the tanners and butchers were moved from the bridge, to be replaced by jewelers and goldsmiths. Still today, the bridge is adorned with gold shops.If you time it right, try to arrive at Ponte Vecchio at the end of the day, when the light gets softer. Photographers call this ‘golden hour’. This is when I think the bridge is at its most beautiful: on a sunny day, about an hour before the sun goes down. Then walk across it.When you see the bridge from a distance, look for the small windows at the top level. This is where the Medici family built a secret passage, so they could escape and look out for their enemies. This enclosed passage is called the Vasari Corridor and it has recently re-opened for tours. It covers almost three-quarter miles, from Palazzo Vecchio to Palazzo Pitti.Pro-tip: If you want to have a great view of the entire bridge across the Arno River, head to Ponte Santa Trinita, which is the next bridge west of Ponte Vecchio. You can see Ponte Vecchio in all its glory from here. Gnocchi Angeli e Demoni from La Buchetta. (Photo Credit zestandsimmer)Dinner at La BuchettaLa Buchetta is an old-school Italian bistro with a matching menu. Expect to find classic pasta dishes, risotto, ravioli and steak dishes. I had gnocchi here that was so delicious, not to mention they edible flowers they garnish the dishes with! Try the Tiramisu for dessert. You won’t be disappointed! I’m setting the bar high here, because I had one of the best meals in Italy here. There I said it! Don’t miss out!Fancy drink from Mad Souls and Spirits. (Photo Credit)Have a night outFlorence is perhaps not the right city if you want to go clubbing until early in the morning, but an evening walk and the numerous bars make up for it. You’re in Italy – no, even better, you’re in Tuscany – so a glass of good wine is never far away! Or cocktails of course. You have to try a Negroni when you’re in the city it was invented in. Three of the best bars in Florence:Mad Souls and Spirits – I can recommend this bar for its quirky, crafted cocktails. No fancy, mainstream drinks here, but just really great cocktails. They have their own version of a Negroni called the Negroni Di Provincia (De)nuclearizzata.Diorama – Italy is not all about wine. It has a rich craft beer culture, and they all seem to be sold in this fantastic little bar.Enoteca Alessi – This bar looks like a wine cellar. The place is stacked floor to ceiling with wine bottles. Lovely place to sit down and have a glass!READ THIS POST23 Awesome Things to do in Zermatt, SwitzerlandPalazzo Pitti and Boboli Gardens. (Photo Credit)Florence Italy 3-day Itinerary: Sunday, Day 2 – Cultural and Historic WondersSpend today exploring more of the iconic, historic buildings of Florence. Dive deeper into Florentine cuisine and discover one of Florence’s most authentic neighborhoods. Visit Palazzo Pitti and Boboli GardensStart your morning visiting Pitti Palace, one of Florence’s iconic buildings. This palace started out as Luca Pitti’s residence. He was a merchant – who was remarkably good at it – who decided to have his house built here. He died before it was finished. The dynasties that lived here after, the Medici, the Hapsburg-Lorraine and the Savoy, finished and extended the building to the enormous palace it is now.It now houses a few museums. On the ground floor is the Treasury of the Grand Dukes, also known as the Silver Museum. This is where the Medici’s silverware, jewelry and porcelain collection is displayed. The Palatine Gallery is on the first floor, which showcases a collection of paintings from the 16th and 17th Century. Go all the way to the top for the Gallery of Modern Art. Throughout the building, you’ll see original furnishings, so it’s easy to imagine what it would be like to live here.Behind Palazzo Pitti are the Boboli Gardens. Go for a stroll (or a hike!) on these beautifully landscaped grounds. Imagine living here and having all this lavish space to yourself. The 111 acres are enough to spend hours exploring every corner of these royal gardens. Just a Pitti you don’t have more time (I’ll see myself out).Make the most of your morning visiting Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens by booking a guided tour. Lunch at Mangiafuoco BracerieIt’s difficult to order any food in Italy and be disappointed. Italian cuisine is all about fairly simple meals with few, but high-quality fresh ingredients. Tuscan cuisine is a very authentic cuisine, where popular dishes that were originally cooked at home made their way into the restaurants. Mangiafuoco Bracerie is an authentic restaurant where you can try local specialties.For lunch, you should try one of the following typical Florentine meals:Pappa al Pomodoro: a rustic tomato soup, made with Tuscan ribbed tomatoes, olive oil, garlic and basil. The soup is thickened with stale bread. More of a tomato porridge than soup, this is a delicious and perfect option for lunch.Ribollita: another hearty soup (again, more like a stew), made with vegetables, beans and bread. It’s often made the day before it’s served, to give it a rich flavor. Sandwiches: a sandwich you say? Hell yes! Think sandwich, but made with freshly baked focaccia bread, fresh cold meats, the best tomatoes and vegetables. Amazing!Colorful Carnival masks at the San Lorenzo Market. (Photo Credit)Shop local at the San Lorenzo marketI love local markets. Seeing products and food for sale, gives you a very good idea of the city’s local culture. The San Lorenzo Market is so good that it must be on your list of sights to see. San Lorenzo consists of two different markets. There is an indoor market, called Mercato Centrale, and an outdoor market in the surrounding streets. Mercato Centrale is where you want to go for everything food, whether it’s ingredients or freshly prepared ready-to-eat goodness. Dessert anyone?The outdoor market has pretty much everything for sale. It’s a must if you want to bring some souvenirs back home. Whether it’s a Florence fridge magnet, or a stylish Italian leather bag to rock on a night out back home, you’ll find it here. Anyway, start your San Lorenzo adventure outside. It’s so nice to be outside, strolling past the stalls. It’s a welcome change from all the museums and palaces of Florence. The museums are beautiful, but you can easily spend hours inside. And there are a lot of them in Florence. I get it!You can easily spend the whole afternoon exploring the outdoor market, so enjoy the sun, the fresh air and the atmosphere at the market. The only challenge this afternoon is not spending all your money on the first few vendors you see. It pays to compare prices farther down the streets!Slowly work your way to the Mercato Centrale, where you can see fruit and vegetable vendors at work, as well as butchers and ice cream makers. You won’t go hungry here!READ THIS POST23 Lovely Things to Do in Lauterbrunnen, SwitzerlandOne of the stalls of Mercato Centrale – you can expect lots of fresh food! (Photo Credit)Enjoy an aperitivo at Mercato CentraleFeeling hungry? Remember, Italians eat late, but they manage to do so because of the aperitivo, which are basically small, bite-sized portions of dishes. This is normally served between 5.30-8.30 The Mercato Centrale has a food court, which is perfect for creating your own aperitivo. Order a glass of wine and choose one of the small aperitivo items to go with it for €10, or order it all separately. Can’t choose? Don’t worry, you can always order more food. Or have the same wine and food again, of course.One to try is bruschetta with lampredotto, a popular Florentine delicacy is the fourth stomach of a cow, slowly cooked in a vegetable broth. It’s then chopped-up and put on a bit of bread with salsa verde on top. If you can stomach it (pun intended), this is as typical Florentine as it gets. It’s absolutely delicious and tender! (But then I’m the kind of person who eats then thinks.)Leave a bit of room for dinner, which is just about…now.A street in Florence with the Duomo Di Firenze in the background (Photo Credit)Go for a stroll through the cityYes, it is about time for dinner, but it can wait. Italians eat late, remember? Maybe let your food down before you – well – are going to have more delicious food. This is the perfect time of day to go for a stroll, without really going somewhere. This is a favorite Italian activity, to just go for a walk after a meal.The sun has just set. As Florence slowly gets darker, the city becomes even more atmospheric. The cobblestone streets light up under the yellow streetlights. Just walk and explore the streets, or walk across Ponte Vecchio to see how different it looks when it’s dark. Or see how beautifully the Cathedral is lit up at night. It’s almost impossible, but Florence looks even better in the evening! Dinner at AngelAngel Roofbar & Dining is located on the roof terrace of Hotel Calimala. The rooftop has three levels, with a restaurant, two bars (they make a mean Negroni!) and a patio with breath-taking 360º views. I mean it, this must be one of the best views of Florence. From here, you’re looking over the rooftops of the city, with that majestic dome of the cathedral sticking out as if it was right next to you. Even if you’ve eaten a bit too much at the Central Market aperitivo, try to order at least a light dinner. The food here is brilliant, with a small but delicious choice of cold and hot Southern Mediterranean dishes!READ THIS POST47 Photos That Will Make You Want to Visit Charming Vorarlberg, AustriaPanoramic view from Piazzale Michelangelo looking out across the Arno River. (Photo Credit)Florence Italy 3-day Itinerary: Monday, Day 3 – Oltrarno and departureOk, you’re leaving today, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have time to visit Oltrarno. This is only the coolest neighborhood in Florence! Think similar old buildings, but with greenery, parks and art mixed in. It’s full of artisan boutique shops, trendy places to eat, art galleries and nature everywhere. It’s a short walk from the city center. Explore freely, as there is enough to discover. Oltrarno runs between the Santo Spirito Basilisk and San Frediano and it’s easy to walk the whole neighborhood.One place you can’t miss is Piazzale Michelangelo. This square/viewpoint is the perfect place to just sit on the steps with a coffee, and enjoy a great view of the city, with the sun on your face.If you have time for lunch, I can recommend All’Antico Vinaio, a legendary Florentine sandwich shop! Here you can have beef, salami, prosciutto, and so much more between foccacia that is fresh, crispy and soft. There may be a line – but it’s worth it.Enjoy this great Florentine staple while you take in la dolce vita of your last afternoon in Firenze! Where to Stay in FlorenceOn a trip to Florence, you should really stay in the city center. It gives you a much more authentic experience because you’re right in the middle of all the places of interest. Florence has a certain vibe. It’s a brilliant blend of art, history, culture and timeless beauty. You can experience this best by leaving your hotel and walking right into it.The best places to stay in Florence:Oro Nero Florence – This property offers small but stylish suites with a bedroom, a kitchenette and a seating area. There was a bottle of wine waiting in the room for us (a very welcome welcome!)Palazzo Testa – Excellent bed & breakfast in a villa. The rooms are super modern and really comfortable. It’s right in the city center too!Hotel David – This is a no-nonsense yet stylish hotel that feels very homely. The staff are superstars and will happily help you with any questions about your trip.READ THIS POST15 Things to Do in Aarhus, Denmark – the “City of Smiles”3-DAY FLORENCE ITINERARY SUMMARYFriday Arrival:Dinner at Trattoria Mario | Address: Via Rosina 2r, angolo Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 50123, FirenzeSaturday, Day 1:Meet David at the Galleria dell’Accademia | Address: Via Ricasoli, 58/60, 50129 FirenzeClimb the Cathedral of Florence | Address: Piazza del Duomo, 50122 FirenzeLunch at I’ Girone De’ Ghiotti | Address: Via dei Cimatori, 23, 50122 FirenzeGet a dose of Renaissance Art at Uffizi Gallery | Address: Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6, 50122 FirenzeWalk across Ponte Vecchio at sunset | Address: Ponte Vecchio, FirenzeDinner at La Buchetta | Address: Via dei Benci, 3, 50122 FirenzeHave a night out | Choose your venueSunday, Day 2: Monday, Day 3 & Departure:Visit the cool neighborhood of Oltrarno | Address: Between Santo Spirito and San FredianoLunch at All’Antico Vinaio | Address: Via de’ Neri 65R, 50122, FirenzeREAD THIS POSTTwo Super Detailed Winter Europe Itineraries (for Two Weeks)About Our Contributor: David Breeker loves visiting Italy. The mix of art, history, food and vibe makes Florence one of his favorite cities that he keeps coming back to. Psst: Planning a trip to Italy & Europe? Here are some other helpful posts: FOLLOW US!Psst: Save this post for later on Pinterest!Our Top Travel Tips & Resources Here are our favorite travel tips & resources for saving money and planning travel logistics! For more tips, check out our travel tips resource page or our guide to planning a trip.Booking Flights: To score flight deals, search on Google Flights or Kayak. Money-saving tips: fly mid-week or on the weekend; fly carry-on only on a budget airline; and take red-eyes or early morning flights.Accommodations: We usually stay in budget-friendly vacation rentals, boutique hotels or private rooms in hostels. We use Booking.com to book hotels (we love their flexible cancellation policy) and Hostelworld to book hostels (low deposit, easy change/cancellation, and excellent reviews). For vacation rentals, we prefer to book using VRBO because they’ve got lower fees and better support than Airbnb, and we’re not fans of Airbnb’s unethical track record. You can also book vacation rentals on Expedia and Hotels.com. We also use TrustedHousesitters as both hosts (for our home and our fur-child) and travelers!Travel Insurance: We always, always, ALWAYS buy travel insurance for international trips, and we STRONGLY suggest it – visit our Travel Insurance Guide to find out why. We recommend either World Nomads or SafetyWing for international travel insurance. SafetyWing is one of the few policies that covers Covid-19, and they have excellent monthly policies that are perfect for Digital Nomads and long term travelers!Travel Credit Card: We book all of our trips on our favorite travel credit card. Not only do we earn cash back that we can spend on more travel, but the card offers fantastic travel perks like travel insurance, trip delay and cancellation coverage, lost baggage reimbursement, and rental car coverage, which helps protect us on our travels. Learn more here. Vaccines & Meds: We use the travel guides on the CDC website to research recommended medications and vaccines for international trips. We always recommend getting every vaccine recommended by the CDC! You can get them at your primary care doctor’s office or a walk-in pharmacy.Tours: We love booking guided tours, especially food tours and walking tours, to get a local’s perspective and a history lesson while sight-seeing! We book our tours using Viator and GetYourGuide.Transportation: We use Rome2Rio to figure out how to get from place to place, and book local transportation online using Bookaway wherever we can. When we book a rental car, we use DiscoverCars to compare rental companies and find the best deal.Luggage Storage: Whenever we’re checking out early or taking advantage of a long layover, we use LuggageHero to safely store our luggage while we’re running around. Use the code PRACTICALW for 2 hours of free luggage storage on us.VPN Service: A VPN keeps your digital information (like website login details, bank info, etc) safe, even when you’re connected to an unsecured network while traveling. Plus, it lets you use Netflix & other streaming sites abroad! We use NordVPN. Use the code WANDERLUSTPROMO when you sign up!What to Pack: Here are the travel essentials that we bring on every trip. We also have packing lists for hot weather, cold weather, and many more. Take a look at all of our packing guides!

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