By Leanora Karnath
Looking for ideas to entertain visitors in town while keeping up with your studies? Seize the opportunity to be their own personal tour guide and show them how you’ve been spending your stay abroad. With limited time, you’ll want to make sure they have the best experience possible. The following tips offer advice on what to do before and during their visit taken from personal experience when my parents came to Florence.
Before the arrival:
- Figure out what’s at the top of your visitor’s to-do list. Before my parents arrived, I asked them for a list of activities they were hoping to do because it’s impossible to see everything the city has to offer within a week. You might have visitors who are most interested in trying new food, seeing amazing art, engaging with the locals, or a mix of all three. It’s important to understand their top choices to ensure they have a fulfilling and personalized experience.
- Create a flexible schedule based on what your guests would like to do. Group certain destinations for one day based on proximity. Keep in mind that your visitors may be tired from traveling, so use the first day in Florence as one to familiarize themselves with the area where they’ll spend the most time. With a tentative schedule, you can accommodate the times you’ll be in class and need to complete assignments. Planning is key to prevent stress and maximize time, so reach for a calendar and find your free time before your guests step off the plane.
- Plan travel outside of Florence. If possible, take a day trip or two around Italy to give your guests a better feel for Italian regional diversity. Purchase train tickets ahead of time to avoid higher costs. Keep in mind that it may be difficult to find accommodation during high tourist season, so plan accordingly. You can also sign up for free tours with licensed guides in many other Italian destinations.
While in Italy:
- Think about what you wish you knew as a newbie to the city. Did you wish you knew some greetings? Or, how to order at a cafe or restaurant? Give them the tips that would’ve made the adjustment easier for you after your arrival! Teach them some phrases to increase their comfort level. Now that you’ve lived in Florence for some time, you’ll have the insider’s scoop on the best eats and how to blend in better with the locals. Share this knowledge with your guests.
- Give them a map. Although this tip may seem obvious, it’s easy to slip your mind if you no longer rely on directions to find your point of interest. Remember that your visitors are seeing the city for the first time and may become lost without a map. While walking around after they arrive, point to the locations on the map to ensure your guests will be able to walk around when you’re not there to point them in the right direction. Circle and label their hotel along with other locations to provide a point of reference.
- More than just a tourist hot spot. It might sound tortuous to venture to the top of the Duomo while maneuvering your way around a crowd of people. However, experiencing all of Florence’s beauty with visitors will give you a greater appreciation of the city you now call home. Remember, certain locations may be flooded with tourists for a good reason; they hold cultural and historical significance in Italy. Chances are you might be visiting the hotspot for a second time, so research prior those insider tidbits that you missed the first time around to create an extra-special experience for your guests as they connect to the city.
If you only had one week in Florence, what would you do? Think about this question when showing your visitors around the city to create a quality experience with a lifetime of memories.
See more of Florence and Italy at FUA’s FB, Instagram, and Twitter.