Florence (Italy)

Advantages: Well laid out city, absolutely tons to see, incredible art, great shops, GELATO!
Disadvantages: One day is nowhere near enough

...although not all, of Pisa, Florence and Lucca. I’m not going to tell you absolutely everything about everything in Florence with this op for a number of reasons. Firstly if you wanted that you can read a guide book, and secondly, I didn’t do or see absolutely everything. What I will do though, is take you on a walk through the city. It’s the route I took, and it takes you past a lot of important sites and monuments. The details ...
...and costs around 10 Euros. Florence doesn’t have a bus station as such, so if arriving by bus or coach you’re also likely to be dropped off at the train station. At the station, pop into the Tourist Info office. They’re not that wonderfully helpful, but they sell decent maps of the city for 50 c, and they can book accommodation for you if you want to stay in the city and haven’t made plans in advance. Leave the station and ... Read review

Advantages: More art than you can wave a brush at
Disadvantages: The crowds...oh, and the crowds

...all its glories. Florence is a dream destination for art-lovers - some of the planet's most famous works of art jostle for position in some of the greatest galleries of the world. I'd like to tell you a bit about some of these treasures, but I'm not going to. Not because I don't want to, but because I can't. I didn't see any! I'm afraid I wasn't willing to queue in blazing sunshine and temperatures in the mid-30's just to see some old paintings. ...
...of a Cathedral. Florence is an old city. A very old city. And unusually for such an ancient place, the old town is relatively flat and the streets relatively straight. It was still a bit of a maze to navigate though, which was proved beyond doubt when we arrived at the Piazza and gazed towards the marbled wonder. Neither of us was mightily impressed with this monument - we couldn't see what all the fuss was about. It was also suspiciously quiet all ... Read review

Advantages: A must-see when in Italy.
Disadvantages: Other tourists know that, too.

...9 pm, you’ll get the Florence museum service and can order a ticket in advance. When you’re there you can go to a special entrance for pre-booked tickets. If you haven’t been to Florence yet, you don’t know how valuable that advice is! The last time I was there, I was at the entrance at 9 am expecting a handful of tourists. Who wants to get up early when on hols? The expected handful turned out to be approximately one thousand, ...
...sit on the banks, either. Florence means stone, massive stone. We’re in the quarter which is called ‘Oltrearno’ (the other side of the river Arno), the most famous attraction here is the church Santa Maria del Carmine where the painter Masaccio painted the walls of the Brancacci Chapel. When you walk through the streets nearby, you can see many open workshops of carpenters, smiths, bookbinders and people who put gold leaf on wooden ... Read review

Advantages: easy to walk around
Disadvantages: long queues for some of the galleries

...the latest opening times. Florence is fairly flat and compact so walking is your best form of getting anywhere. There is something different about this city from other Italian cities. It seems to ooze culture and style. I found the shopping here better than Rome. There is an air of being more laid back. I also found the food here the best. Duomo is the fourth largest church in Europe and you cannot miss it - trust me. The decoration to the outside ...
...wish) but the view of Florence from the highest point is fabulous and a definite spot to take photos. Do not be taken in by guidebooks saying that you can picnic here; I had read this was an ideal picnic spot until I saw the numerous signs around the gardens telling me the opposite. You can though crash out on the grass and just take in the UV’s if you wish. You might disagree but I have left the best to last. Shopping and Food is something ... Read review

Advantages: It doesn't get any prettier
Disadvantages: may be too perfect (I'm a bit too fussy, I think!).

...forgiveness in advance! Florence is beautiful. That is beyond any shadow of doubt. I think most people claim that Florence is the most beautiful, most 'complete', city that they have visited, and it certainly would win many a beauty contest (if cities went in for that kind of thing!). Sitting on the banks of the river Arno, in Northern Tuscany, Florence is remarkably unspoilt. When I first visited Florence (and I have been lucky to visit a number ...
...Arc de Triomphe. The closest Florence has, to an icon,is Michelangelo's David, and believe me, you will have seen enough of him after a couple of days in Florence! My first glimpse of the Duomo was, literally, breathtaking. Brunelleschi's Dome is one of the sights that will serve as a useful guide as you use make your way through the city, and it is a must-see, in a city full of must-sees. The Piazza in front of the Duomo houses the Baptistry with ... Read review