Hello! I am new to this Forum. Our college aged daughter is doing a study abroad in Florence this semester and my husband, 16 year old daughter, and I are going over for spring break. We have booked accommodations in Florence from March 4-14th. I have no idea what type of clothes I will be wearing and therefore what type of shoes. I am thinking leggings and tunic type tops but I don't know. I think if that is the case I will probably want some type of ankle bootie. Please help! Am I on the right track with the type of outfit and if so, what shoes do you recommend? Thanks in advance for any advice!
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Wear whatever shoes you have that are comfortable, will work on cobblestones (no spike heels or the like) and, most important of all, are well broken in. You will be doing more walking in Europe than you can possibly imagine. In particular, the center of Florence has only a few minibuses, so you'll be walking everywhere.
If you have several pairs that meet the above criteria, then choose based on what goes with your outfits best. But you're going as tourists, not fashion models; no one will care what you wear, but if your feet aren't comfortable, you'll be miserable for the whole trip.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14979 posts
Yes!! Agree totally with Harold.
You've got what, 6 weeks? It's too late to break anything in now unless it's athletic shoes. You'll need to be able to walk 4-6 miles in whatever you take. If you do buy anything you need to try to walk quite a bit in them now. Hope you live where the weather is nice and you can walk outside.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
Cobblestones! "Rubber" traction soles, not leather. Smooth leather soled shoes are slippery on wet cobblestones. Function should always Trump fashion if you need to walk.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15798 posts
Harold is so right.
Thick soles are best for uneven surfaces.
Posted by
Houston, TX, USA
71 posts
And you know what? Should you mis/underpack and need something, you can buy it there.
Posted by
Houston, TX, USA
71 posts
And you know what? Should you mis/underpack and need something, you can buy it there.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14979 posts
Shoes are sometimes difficult to buy other places. In the shoes I have looked at in Italy, the Italian foot is not shaped like my very wide forefoot and very large American foot. Birkinstocks? YES! Gorgeous Italian leather shoes? Nope, ;-( !! Even the Mephistos in France were not wide enough for me.
Posted by
Menlo Park, CA
67 posts
Hi Peggy, completely understand your dilemma. Shoes are key on a European adventure! I walk a lot (at least 5-7 miles/day) and like Born boots (for colder months). I just used Born boots in London in Dec, for example. Since you'll be in Florence in the Spring you might do well with something like Ahnu Gracie. I spent 3 weeks in Italy and ONLY wore these. They hold up well and even do good in rain. You can dress them up or down too. My mom likes closed toed Birkenstocks. Good luck and enjoy your Italian adventure!
Posted by
Lafayette, LA
11 posts
Check the weather. That time of year is known for being cold and wet.