I would like to tell Aggies who are planning on taking a future study abroad trip in Italy to try as many new foods as possible. One of my favorite parts of the whole trip was discovering new flavors, new foods, and familiar foods with different ingredients and tastes. A common theme among the foods in Italy is the cleanliness of the ingredients. Things from the states one would consider unhealthy are much healthier and enjoyable in Italy, the most notable being pizza and gelato through the fresh ingredients used in them and the more thorough procedure in making them in comparison to the processed methods in the states. The most common restaurants you will see in Florence are sandwich shops, pizza places, and gelato stores. I would highly recommend trying as many of these places as possible and not sticking to a select number of places, as every restaurant has a unique aspect to it. Also, you will see restaurants with extended lines and online alleged to have the best sandwiches, pizza, Florentine steak, or gelato. I assure you there are plenty of “hole in the wall” restaurants throughout the city that are just as good or better for half the price. All you have to do is walk in any direction for at least 15 minutes and you will find the best restaurants with the best prices. So, my advice to future Aggies is that food is a pivotal part of the abroad experience, and familiarizing yourself with the country’s food will assist in boosting your cultural intelligence.
