... I only had 3 days there, but I managed to see a lot, including parts, 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, ... Read review
is seen twice.* Sturdy metal ring holds your keys securely.* Full color printed images or messages are included.* If you have new ideas or need help selecting text for your custom keychains please contact us.* Size: 1 3/4" x 1 1/2" (45 x 35 mm) plus frameShipping might take 5 business days.
The actual date is printed on each page This engraving is over 115 years old And is not a modern copy This wood cut engraving was scanned at low resolution for quick uploading and is much better than the scanned image Size of print is approx ;14; x 91/2; if it is shown as whole page, or prorata Approx Page size = 16; high x 11; wide Ready to matt and frame These old Prints really look great with Matt and Framed Note this print is from a periodical and has printing on reverse
SKETCHES, OR EARLY PHOTOGRAPHS WOULD MAKE AN IDEAL GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS OR BIRTHDAY . The actual date is printed on each page . This engraving is over 150 years old. And is not a modern copy. THESE IMAGES ARE scanned at low resolution for quick uploading and are much better than the scanned image.. Size of print is approx 14" x 9.1/2" if it is shown as whole page, or prorata.. Approx. Page size = 16" high x 11" wide. Ready to matt and frame. These old Prints really look great with Matt and Framed. . Note this print is from a periodical and has printing on reverse.
SKETCHES, OR EARLY PHOTOGRAPHS WOULD MAKE AN IDEAL GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS OR BIRTHDAY . The actual date is printed on each page . This engraving is over 150 years old. And is not a modern copy. THESE IMAGES ARE scanned at low resolution for quick uploading and are much better than the scanned image.. Size of print is approx 14" x 9.1/2" if it is shown as whole page, or prorata.. Approx. Page size = 16" high x 11" wide. Ready to matt and frame. These old Prints really look great with Matt and Framed. . Note this print is from a periodical and has printing on reverse.
weeks date as shown on top of page, the size of each page is approximately 15.5 x 11 inches (395x280). All are genuine antique prints and not modern copies, the Illustrated London News is an illustrated magazine which was first printed in 1842 and is the finest pictorial example of a historic social record of British and world events up to the present day. The ILN is known for its coverage of the following subjects the wars, ships, boats, guns, sailing, portraits, fine art, old and antique prints, wood cut, wood engravings, early photographs, Victorian life, Victorian culture, kings, queens, royalty, travels, adventures, natural history, birds, fish, mammals, fishing, hunting, shooting, fox hunting, sports including tennis, cricket, football, horse racing, politics and many more items of interest founded by Herbert Ingram may 14th 1842.
SKETCHES, OR EARLY PHOTOGRAPHS WOULD MAKE AN IDEAL GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS OR BIRTHDAY. The actual date is printed on each page.This engraving is over 140 years old. And is not a modern copy . THESE IMAGES ARE scanned at low resolution for quick uploading and are much better than the scanned image. . Size of print is approx 14" x 9.1/2" if it is shown as whole page, or prorata. . Approx. Page size = 16" high x 11" wide . Ready to matt and frame. These old Prints really look great with Matt and Framed. . Note this print is from a periodical and has printing on reverse. .
This print is over 100 years old. And is not a modern copy. ENGLISH, VICTORIAN SOCIAL HISTORY . Size of Image is PROPORTIONATE to the contrasting background page. . The size of this coloured background page is approximately 10.5 high x 15.5 wide. . See image scan.. Ready to matt and frame. . These old Prints really look great with Matt and Framed. . Scanned at a low resolution for quick uploading so the actual picture is better than the scanned image. .
A review by zoe_page on Florence (Italy) November 18th, 2002
Author's product rating:
Value for Money
Good
Sightseeing
Excellent
Shopping
Good
Nightlife
Good
Ease of getting around
Advantages:
Well laid out city, absolutely tons to see, incredible art, great shops, GELATO !
Disadvantages:
One day is nowhere near enough
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
I first went to Italy the summer of my A Levels, but since I spent my stay working and not holidaying, I didn’t get much chance to see the country. Ever since, I’ve vowed to go back, and since Ryanair were offering free flights from Frankfurt Hahn to Pisa, now seemed the perfect opportunity. I only had 3 days there, but I managed to see a lot, including parts, 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 in brackets after the names of places and buildings include their opening times and entrance fees for adults and concessions. In lots of places children under 16 are free when accompanied by adults. Prices are in Euros and cents – I work on 1 Euro being 60p, but it varies daily. The times are right for weekdays, but may change at weekends and out of season.
Let’s start at the main railway station. It’s one of the most common ways of arriving in Florence. The city does have an airport, but it’s very small and not all that used. If flying, most people arrive in Pisa and then take a train to the city – it takes around 1hr 30 mins, 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 walk along Via San Antonio (just across the road, leading off the main square). Take a right onto Via Farenza which leads to San Lorenzo, one of the many famous churches in the city, designed by Brunelleschi and finished off by Michelangelo (the artist, not the teenage mutant hero turtle :p ) From here take Via de Martelli to the Duomo. It’s one of many streets that leads there, but it’s a good one to walk along because there’s a fantastic little shop at the end selling post cards for 10 cents – significantly less than the 50 cents you’ll get charged around the corner.
The DUOMO (10am-5pm, free entrance, www.mega.it/eng/egui/monu/buq.htm) was again built by Brunelleschi and was the largest dome of its time to be built without scaffolding. It has an amazing neo-gothic facade that was added about 5 centuries after the rest of the cathedral was completed. It’s pink, gold and green, which may sound a bit of an odd combo, but it works. It also reminds me of the last tutu I had before I gave up ballet which had the same colour scheme..... You can climb to the top (463 steep steps, 6 Euros) but if you’re going to do this, enter through the door round to the right hand side as you stand facing it. You can’t get to the climbing-up entrance from within the cathedral, and when you come down you end up inside anyway, so can have a look around then. As with many „things to climb“ in Italy, the steps are very narrow and with very low ceilings, so if you’re tall or, ahem, wide, you might well have trouble. I did at times, and I’m a 5,2 size 10er.
From the Duomo, take the path to the left which leads behind the structure to the BARGELLO (9am-2pm, 4 Euro / 2 Euro, www.arca.net/db/musei/bargello.htm). One of Italy’s first national museums, this is spread out over 3 floors, with the pieces well presented. A nice museum, with staff present in most areas, but not in your face. Some famous pieces too, including David by Donatello, the 1st nude structure carved since classical times. One of my favourite pieces was „Lady with a posy“ – much more radiant that the Mona Lisa, although this could have something to do with the fact it’s not protected by thick bullet proof glass. The work is attributed to Andrea Verrocchio although some believe it to be the work of one old his more famous pupils – Leonardo da Vinci.
Walk to the back of the Bargello and take Via Ghibellina. A right at the end of this leads to BAR VIVOLI GELATERIA (8.30am – 1am). Gelato is believed to have originated in Florence, and this little Gelateria tucked into a back street produces what it claims to be the best in Florence. It’s certainly good, but equally expensive. You have to go though, just be prepared to queue, even on a weekday morning in November. They have some interesting flavours on offer, including Rice flavour which is surprisingly delicious.
Head back to the Bargello and follow Via del Proconsolo (or the signs) to PIAZZA DELLA SIGNORIA and the Uffizi. The Piazza is one of Florence’s best attractions, and not just because it’s completely free. It’s the place to see Ammannati’s Neptune Fountain, Michelangelo’s David, Cellini’s Perseus and many more works also dating from the 16th century. There are (expensive) cafes if you fancy a drink and a snack, but a better option if you just want a sit down is the steps around the edge – just look out of the pigeon poo.
The UFFIZI (9am-7pm, 8.50 Euros / 4.25 Euros, www.uffizi.firenze.it) is a truly magnificent art gallery, and the oldest in the world. Understandably it’s usually packed, but when I went, although it was busy, it wasn’t unpleasant. Its works are on display mainly on one floor, spread out in length rather than depth through 45 rooms. Famous pieces include Botticelli’s Birth of Venus and Michelangelo’s The Holy Family. Both are good but they made me wonder why it is that some pieces become „must sees“ on every tourist’s list, while other equally awe inspiring ones go unnoticed. My personal favourites were Bronzino’s Bia and Madonna with the Long Neck by Parmigianino, both from the 1540s. As well as art, the museum offers a bar, a restaurant and lots of toilets. There’re a couple of decent shops – one at the entrance and one at the exit – both offering the usual arty souvenirs and post cards at reasonable prices.
The end of the Uffizi overlooks the river, and if you head this way as you leave, within a couple of minutes you’ll hit PONTE VECCHIO(www.mega.it/eng/egui/monu/ponvec.htm). Built in 1345, this is Florence’s oldest bridge, hence the name. It used to house all sorts of tradesmen, from butchers to blacksmiths, but they were evicted in the late 1500s by Duke Ferdinando I because, in his opinion, they were too smelly and noisy.... Now you’re more likely to find very posh and expensive jewelers on the bridge. There’s also a bust of Cellini – the most famous of Florence’s goldsmiths – on display. Above street level there’s also Vasari’s corridor. This in an enclosed, elevated walkway that links the Uffizi with Palazzo Pritti, built so the nice comfortable royals wouldn’t have to mix with the common folk on the ground. This is closed at the moment, but should be open again by next year.
Via Guicciardini leading off the bridge takes you to Via Mazetta. Follow this as it turns into Via Sant Agostino and Via Santa Monica at which point you’ll find the BRANCACCI CHAPEL(10am-4pm, 3.50 Euros / 2.30 Euros, www.kfki.hu/~arthp/tours/brancacc/). Housed in the Santa Maria del Carmine church, this chapel boasts some amazing Frescoes portraying the life of St Peter. As in lots of places, they’re the work of a few artists – Masolino and his pupil Masaccio started them, but after their deaths Lippi was brought in to finish them off. Look out for the Woman in a Turban, almost completely hidden away behind the alter. My favourite? The one with Jesus doing a headstand (aka being crucified upside down – I’m an atheist, hence no remorse at the blasphemousness of the statement....)
From here jump on almost any bus to take you back to the station, your day in the city complete. You’ll be tired and your feet will be aching, but you’ll be happy. It’s been a fantastic day.
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Extra Points:
There are NO student discounts in any museum in the city. Instead, they offer reduced prices for EU citizens under the age of 26 with a passport. I didn’t have mine with me, but was only refused an admission once, the rest of the time my student ID and rail card (with d.o.b. on) getting me in.
Busses serve most of the main sites in the city, but a lot of areas are also pedestrianised. Buy a bus ticket at a tabacci – they cost 1 Euro for up to an hour’s travel. Don’t forget to validate it in the yellow machine when you get on board.
The main tourist sites are surrounded by shops and stalls selling the usual tacky souvenirs. The back streets are the places to go for lower prices and better selections though. Good things to buy are Olive Oil (in dark bottle or tins – anything else means the vitamin E levels diminish rapidly) and wine.
For eating, Florence offers everything from all you can eat Chinese buffets to typical Tuscan fare. The tourist-menus in lots of places offer incredible value – usually a 2 course meal and a drink for about 10 Euros.
When should you go? Florence is never quiet. In summer I imagine it’s hell, but it was busy enough when I was there last week. The weather in autumn and spring is probably the most pleasant for trekking around the city, but if you can only get away in summer, don’t let that put you off. I only had a day there but it’s already become one of my favourite cities.
I had a couple of guide books with me, my favourite of which is the DK Eyewitness Guide to Florence and Tuscany. ISBN is 0 7513 00 357 and the rrp is 12.99
I stayed in Pisa, but for hotels in Florence look at www.web-florence-hotels.com/ or www.florence.4u-hotels.com.
For general info on Florence in general, some good sites are:
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 ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
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 ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
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 ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
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 ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: walkable from the centre of Florence Disadvantages: none
...lucky enough to be in Florence and you enjoy good food then this restaurant is not to be missed. La Giostra is run by Dimitri d'Asburo Lorena, a Hapsburg prince who opened the restaurant to indulge his love of cooking, and what a passionate affair it is too.
If I were asked what would I like for my last meal, without hesitation it would be a meal from here. The restaurant is tucked away in a side street and is beautifully and romantically lit with ... ...warm cosy feel and the staff are wonderful and all speak fluent English. The waitress helped me to choose without being pushy, what did come across was that she wanted to try and give me something I actually liked rather than something I should like. On arrival we were treated to a glass of Spumanti and a large plate of anti pasta, this entailed two of each; stuffed tomatoes with anchovies, mushroom paste with the mushrooms still visible, brushetta ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
...We hired 2 cars from Budget while on holiday in Florence, Italy. Collecting the cars took 2 hours which was just the start of things to come. One of the cars broke down on the second day and we had to wait the whole day for a tow truck to arrive. The car was then taken to a garage and fixed only to break down again on the third day. Again we had to wait for a tow truck and were without a car. In the end Budget supplied another smaller car via Avis. On our return, I am still 2 months later, fighting with Budget to be refunded for the 3 days we were without a car. The post rental service has been the worst that I have ever come across and I will never use Budget again!...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: an excellent garden Disadvantages: The furniture of the rooms coul be better, no restaurant
...Hotel Castri
Piazza Indipendenza, 7
50129 Firenze
ph. ++39-55-496412
fax ++39-55-475602
e-mail info@hotelcastri.com
For your holidays, if you choose Florence in Italy you have a lot of offers, this is one of that which the value for money is quite good.
The location is in the historical centre of Florence very close to the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, the Duomo, facing Piazza Indipendenza.
The building was done around 1860 during that period Florence was capitol of Italy, the inside of the building had the last renewal in 2002, offering almost all the modern standards.
The Hotel Castri is a three stars hotel, with no restaurant, 70 rooms, all with en suite facilities, TVcolor, direct telephone,air conditioning/heating, smoke and fire detector.
The best part of the hotel is the garden of 1,000 square meters...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: the driver may be handsome Disadvantages: slow, no customer service, lack of seriousness, unreliable, not punctual, not providing info
...of good will they have provided me with a £9.00 voucher that can be redemed in the next 6 months...yes but only in Rome of Florence...what?I live in London. I have to fly to Italy to redeem a voucher? I think that the flight ticket wil cost me a bit more than £9.00...so I'll have to pass it. Sorry Terravision I have not appreciated your gesture of good will....
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
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