When I first came to Florence, Italy – long before I ever decided to start writing this blog, I used to absorb myself in different blogs based here as inspiration. While now I tend to read a variety of both Italian and English ones, at the end time my Italian wasn’t so great and I was looking for perspectives similar to mine. Namely combing through stories of people who had started a new life, new job, new love in Dante’s hometown. I appreciate the local blog-o-sphere more than ever and want to share the love :-).

While some of the blogs I read in the beginning haven’t remained, after all many people have come and gone in this sometimes transient city. A product of life in a place that isn’t at all easy to actually live-work-support yourself.

Here is a list of blogs that I read on a regular basis whose words have made me feel at home, made me laugh or inspired me. And guess what, you should read them too!

• 1. La Vita E Bella Blog. I know I am biased because they Kate & Rob are friends of mine but I also love their {read-her} blog. They are a young American family who have chosen to live and work from Florence and their blog is about their life here. I have seen them from the beginning of their journey until now – and seen the blog’s transition as well.  They embrace the Italian lifestyle and give hope to those looking to start a family in il bel paese. Well worth a read + they happen to take amazing photos of life {and their beautiful baby girl} around town! Some of my favorite blogs of her’s include her Tuesday – tech talks {I always could use some tips} and though I don’t have a kid myself, I appreciate the time and effort they take to blog about handling Florence with a baby.

• Arttrav.com. Very well written art, travel blog & expat life by my friend Alexandra Korey.  I love her blog because she is a fabulous writer who actually makes me want to discover more about the art world in the city. She lets us know about cool night-museum-visit events such as this, cool street art in Berlin , and shares her sometimes hatred for Ataf (the local bus company).

• Driving like a maniac. Kate Bailward is an English EFL teacher in none of than Sicily. She has a beautiful knack for storytelling and as an avid reader, I think this girl has what it takes to write a great book. Plus she has a pretty self-deprecating sense of humor which I really appreciate. Some of my favorite posts of her’s include The Motorcycle Diary & the hilarious ‘How to go Speed Dating‘ .

• Letters from Florence. Awesome blog written by Elizabeth Petrosian, a witty American Italian citizen whose latest news is that she is moving with her family, back to the states! She writes thought-provoking posts that don’t shy away from controversy. She like me has an utter distaste for anything remotely Berlusconi and when she writes about Italians, the economy and why things are the way they are in this sometimes {often} stagnant country – I normally agree with her 1000%. Some of my favorite posts of hers {and if you want to understand il bel paese you should read these too!} include The Nonni Economy, the (un)making of the Italian man,  disparate housewives, and The skin they’re in: the uneasy paradox of Italian women – Part 1.

• Maple Leaf Mamma. Written by my friend Michelle who is Canadian {hence the maple leaf reference}, a femenist, mother and is a very kind, wonderful person. I may not have kids but I enjoy reading her blog and am stocking up on all sorts of great knowledge for the future when I decide I may want to populate the earth myself ;-). Some of my favorite posts of hers include: La bella figura: body image, beauty, and street commentary in Italy and Ich liebe Berlin

• Burnt by the Tuscan Sun. Funny satirical blog written by Francesca Maggi. She not only pokes fun at things we all get annoyed at in Italy but also gives valuable advice to those traveling to the eternal city (Rome) such as her latest post: Italy Travel 101: Back to the Basics. Some of my favorite posts of hers include : An Expat Roster – Why Italians think we’re Strange… and The Mamma State.

These are just a few of the blogs that I love {check out my blog roll on the home page for other great picks}. One of these days I will also get around to writing about what Italian blogs I follow as well :-). Until then, stay blogging {well.. until the government outlaws free speech online, which in Italy.. could happen if the Northern league/ Lega Nord had their way ;-).

SO now it’s your turn! What are you reading that I may have missed? 

Related articles

• Locals I Love – Kristina ‘Yelp’ Grancaric (girlinflorence.com)
• Locals I Love – Yasmine Hassani (girlinflorence.com)
• Locals I Love – Elena Farinelli (girlinflorence.com)