On June 14th, I received an email that left me in shock—I had been nominated for an award in Italy. Not just any award, but one recognizing the best travel, luxury lifestyle, and fashion Italian content creators. Initially, I was hesitant to believe it was true. However, after doing some research on Instagram and reaching out to the organizers, I discovered it was very much real.
Out of countless applicants, 100 content creators would be selected to attend the finalists’ awards ceremony in Florence five months later. The Italy Ambassador Awards is the first Italian recognition dedicated to content creators and influencers who promote Italy. The award’s founder, Svetlana Trushnikova, saw the lack of recognition for content creators in Italy and took the initiative to celebrate their dedication and hard work with this award.
In October, I found out I was one of the one hundred content creators picked which meant I would be flying to Florence in November. I couldn’t believe it. I was a finalist!!
On November 28th, the award ceremony and dinner took place in Florence. I arrived at the BTO Convention Center, where the event was being held, dressed in a chic blazer and skort from Maje. After signing in, I found my seat, and that’s when it hit me—if I won in one of the categories, I’d have to say a little something… in Italian!! They started by announcing some of the sponsors which included Frecciarossa, NYX Hotels, and Planetaria Hotels, as well as media partners like Radio 102 and The Travel News. The founder said a few words and then they got right into the award ceremony. I was a finalist in the Travel and Luxury Lifestyle category under the micro-influencer segment, but to my surprise, I won the Fashion Award! To this day, I’m still pinching myself. After three years of dedication and hard work since I began my journey in social media, I could hardly believe I was standing in Florence, receiving this honor.
The dinner was held in the gardens of Palazzo Corsini. It was one of the most beautiful tablescapes I had ever seen. Two long tables lined with chairs filled up the greenhouse. Orange and yellow lights lit up the space along with candles lined across the tables. Lemons and flowers adored the space. We were served food and wine, listened to live music, and talked and connected with each other. We celebrated all our hard work and got to learn about everyone’s journeys with starting social media. It will be a night I will never forget. In a room full of talented and ambitious individuals all sharing our work and lives on social media. Telling different stories from different point of views all through the lens of social media. It was beautiful.
Florence Guide:
Where I Stayed: Villa Cora
Perched on the Tuscan hills, Villa Cora offers the perfect blend of nature and city being only a 10 minute drive from the center of Florence. Villa Cora is a restored 19th-century mansion turned 5-star hotel with 44 bedrooms in the main villa. From the moment you step into the lobby, you’re greeted by opulence. The main hall features intricate frescoed ceilings, rich wooden floors, and chandeliers, all complemented by breathtaking views of the Tuscan hills and lush trees. To the right lies the serene Sala Bianca, ideal for relaxation, while the left houses a charming wooden bar and a stylish restaurant area. Each floor of the villa has rooms with different aesthetics and beautiful marble bathrooms. You can’t forget about the rooftop terrace which has one of the most beautiful views of Florence. Below the villa lies a speakeasy bar and nightclub event space along with an underground tunnel to a spa. On the outside you can find a pool (heated during the colder months), another restaurant dining area, and a gatehouse with more hotel rooms. The hotel is a popular venue for weddings, thanks to its stunning spaces.
Where I Ate:
Ristorante Dei Rossi: A small family owned restaurant next to Ponte Vecchio. The restaurant has original frescoed ceilings that were once part of the neighboring church, adding a unique and historic ambiance to the dining experience. The staff was incredibly kind and the food here did not disappoint. I highly recommend trying the beef tartare with caramelized onions, yogurt, and hazelnuts, as well as the fried eggs with truffle. The highlight of the meal, however, was an off-menu dessert the chef graciously offered us to try: a truffle panna cotta. Have you ever had dessert with truffle? I hadn’t, and it completely blew me away.
Antico Ristorante Paoli 1827: Dating back to 1827, Antico Ristorante Paoli is one of the oldest restaurants in Florence. If you’re visiting, don’t miss the Bistecca alla Fiorentina, a traditional Florentine dish and Mezzelune pasta with butter and truffle.
Gilli: Caffè Gilli holds the title of being the oldest café in Florence. It’s history dates back to 1733 when it was established by the Swiss Gilli family as a pastry shop. With its elegant ambiance and both indoor and outdoor seating, Caffè Gilli serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, offering an array of pastries, teas, and chocolates that highlight its rich heritage. A must-try is their specialty, schiacciata alla fiorentina.
Osteria Delle Tre Panche: Located on the top floor of Hotel Hermitage, Osteria delle Tre Panche offers stunning views of Ponte Vecchio and the Arno River. This is the second location of the original restaurant, which is situated on Via Pacinotti in Florence. While great for both lunch or dinner, this restaurant offers amazing truffle dishes. I recommend the eggs with white truffle, the white truffle risotto, and the fried truffle pecorino balls.
La Ménagère: Looking for a cute brunch spot? La Ménagère doubles as a boutique flower shop and restaurant. While it serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, I would recommend it for a brunch. The eggs benedict and avocado toast were my favorite.
Salumeria Verdi: Home to the famous Pino Sandwiches this deli-style sandwich shop offers a wide selection of meats and cheeses to create the perfect sandwich. I highly recommend adding truffle cream to your sandwich. It takes the flavor to another level and is an absolute must-try for any truffle lover.
What I Did:
Palazzo Gucci: Did you know that Gucci was founded in Florence in 1921? Palazzo Gucci is located in the heart of Florence and offers a museum, boutique, and restaurant. The boutique has a collection that is exclusive to that location and the restaurant, Gucci Osteria, serve artistic creations around Italian classics. The museum shows the history of Gucci as well as archival pieces from past collections. One of the highlights is a room filled with framed silk scarves, as well as a stunning glass and mirror room displaying exotic and unique bags from over the years. Among them, you’ll find red alligator skin Gucci Jackies, metallic bags, and even one draped in crystals—this room was, without a doubt, my favorite. If you’re a fashion lover like me, I would recommend going to check out Palazzo Gucci.
Giunti Odeon: A library and cinema tucked away on a quiet street. This local spot is popular among students for studying but they also show movies in the evenings. It’s the perfect spot to get away from the crazy crowds. The Giunti Odeon also holds the writings of Leonardo Da Vinci which shows his “mirror writing”. He wrote backwards from right to left which you were able to read as if you were looking at the reflection through a mirror.
V_Room Studio Florence: Looking for reformer or mat pilates? V_Room Studio in the center of Florence has you covered. I loved starting my morning here with the view of Palazzo Vecchio. I took the mat pilates class but they have a few reformers as well.
Duomo & Cuppola: A visit to the Duomo is an absolute must when in Florence! I highly recommend booking a private guide for the Duomo and Baptistery, as I would have missed out on so many details on my own. Our guide took the time to walk us through the history, pointing out intricate details that I never would have noticed. It is said that THE Mona Lisa was baptized in the Baptistery in Florence based on old records. The guide also explained the stories and drawings on the ceilings of the Baptistery and the Cupola of the Duomo. The Cupola is 463 steps to the top, but is definitely worth it for the amazing views of the city.
Ziziai Hair Salon: Need a blowout? Cut? Color? Go visit Simone. His unique approach, “one client, one chair, one stylist,” means he dedicates his full attention to you, making the experience feel incredibly personal. Simone has years of experience working with VIP clients in New York, so he knows about all things hair. His scalp massages are known to be the best in Florence where he says people come back just for that!! He takes his time to understand your hair and your needs. I loved this one-on-one experience.
Giardini Boboli: Located behind the Palazzo Pitti, Giardini Boboli is a must-visit in Florence. I highly recommend visiting on a sunny day—it’s the perfect place to relax and recharge. The gardens are expansive, offering endless mazes, fields, and scenic lookouts with breathtaking views of the city. Spanning over 111 acres, Giardini Boboli is filled with lush greenery, historic sculptures, and views of the Tuscan hills. It’s a peaceful oasis in the heart of Florence where you could easily spend an entire day.
Officina Profumo Farmaceutica Santa Maria Novella: The oldest pharmacy in the world!! The Santa Maria Novella pharmacy dates back to 1221. The pharmacy is known for its high-quality perfumes including their famous rosewater. It is located at Via della Scala 16. My favorite eau de parfum scents were Acqua, L’Iris, and Magnolia. It’s a great visit to learn some history and great for picking up gifts to bring home.
Don’t forget to look for the 285 buchette del vino, or wine windows, located around Florence. A few of these historic windows are still operational today, where you can ring the bell, order a glass of wine, and have it delivered right through the window in the wall. The windows were built in the 16th-century to minimize contact during the bubonic plague.
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