How I Learned to Appreciate Florence

Despite maddening crowds, splendor awaits off beaten paths.

Jeremy Helligar
Nov 5 · 6 min read
All photos by the author

If the two trips I’ve made to Florence taught me anything, it’s how much I changed in the 14 years between them. The first time around, like any respectable gay man one month into his thirties and back on holiday, I was all about the nightlife.

Keep the story going. Sign up for an extra free read.

Jeremy Helligar

Written by

Brother. Son. Friend. Writer. Journalist. World Traveler. History-Obsessed Anxiety Survivor. Loner. Author of “Is It True What They Say About Black Men?”

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE

Confessions of a Travel Junkie: Stories About Places, People, Buildings, and Food

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade