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 ...
zoe_page 18.11.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Florence (Italy)
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 ...
proxam 06.02.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Florence (Italy)
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 ...
MALU 27.02.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Florence (Italy)
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 ...
Freddydog 12.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Florence (Italy)
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 ...
womble 10.02.2001 (17.09.2001)
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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 ...
Freddydog 02.04.2001 (29.03.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Florence (Italy)
Advantages: Beauty. History, Culture. Good food and wine Disadvantages: Expensive. Crowded with tourists.
...earth can stand comparison with Florence - the Tuscan city that pioneered the renaissance in Medieval Europe.It is truly a beautiful city with few equals even in Italy.
Founded by the Romans in the 1st century, Florence did not expand significantly until Carolingian days, but between the 12th and 15th centuries it became the greatest cultural center in Europe; some might suggest it became the hub of the universe, not only producing magnificient ... ...even 20th century thought.
Florence spreads itself along both banks of the River Arno and is surrounded by hills. Anatole France once wrote, "... The God who made the hills of Florence was an artist." It seems the proud people of this Medieval gem also have art running in their veins because for centuries the Florentines have had a passion for art and it shows.
Despite the onset of mass tourism, Florence, remains a feast for sore eyes: an almost ...
ashford 09.08.2000
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Advantages: Massive amount to see, easy to shop and eat Disadvantages: Can overload the senses
...best things to do in Florence you will inevitably have to ask, How long have you got? Florence in a day is a possibility but you will find it exhausting. You will also literally have had just enough time to stand in front of a 15th Century statue or church painting and not nearly enough time to look properly at it and appreciate it.
However for many visitors to Italy this is probably as much as you can spare. If your touring itinerary has included ... ...week or so then OK Florence in a day if infinitely better than no Florence at all.
One first tip is how to get to Florence. Touring Italy in a hire car is easy, best book as part of your holiday as costs of car hire in Italy are amongst the highest in Europe. However parking in or more accurately on the perimeter of the major cities is plentiful and inexpensive and fuel costs especially diesel are lower than the UK. Florence’s main railway station ...
polydeuces 26.11.2000
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Advantages: Many great sights to feast one's eyes on, friendly locals Disadvantages: Not a great deal
...any. Arriving at Florence station, I was offered a “stunning” apartment situated in the center of town, for 60,000 lire ($26.60, £18.59) a night. Seeing as I blatantly did not require such luxury, I ended up staying at a friendly youth hostel for half the above price, not far from the center of town. I must admit that when I first set eyes upon the main attractions of the city, I was less than impressed. I don’t know what it was. ... ...very friendly. Overall, I found Florence a lot more receptive to tourists than even Rome, with considerably fewer dodgy characters out to con you. The next day I went out to see the sights. Strangely enough, the Duomo now looked far more beautiful than when I had first set eyes on it. A massive dome of white, pink, and green marble rose above the square. This, the world’s fourth-largest cathedral, was awe-inspiring. I proceeded to the nearby ...
Marechal_Grouchy 16.01.2001
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Firenze is definitively my favourite city in Italy, amongst the 3 major tourist attractions, Venice, Rome and Florence. Spring and early autumns are to me, the best periods to visit it, while I would discourage going there in the middle of summer, when the city is very hot (and can be nearly suffocating when it gets really scorching in August) and the majority of people there are tourists. There is no need here to describe the monuments in the city, ... ...instead. You can try Campeggio Panoramico, which is not in Florence, but in Fiesole, not far from the City. They rent bungalows there. It may be a good idea to book in advance, their tel is 599069. For less than £30 for a double per night, you can stay at “Hotel La Romagnola”, not far from Santa Maria Novella. Rooms are clean and decent. Their tel number is 211597. ...
CICLISTALOCO 19.09.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Florence (Italy)
Advantages: Must-go Italian city Disadvantages: No
...to Italy, I stayed in Florence for one and a half day. Let me share with you my fantastic experience of Florence. Florence is the cultural capital in the medieval time, and the key player in the Renaissance movement. A small city it seems, but the home of some of the most famous people in history-Michaelanglo, Leonardo da Vinci, Galileo etc, just to name a few. Again with narrow streets and allys, our first stop was a demonstration of leather. Italian/Florentine ... ...accessories are everywhere. Obviously, I didn't leave without getting some goods myself. After that, we had a walking tour with a local guide. Best known of all Florence's treasures is the Ponte Vecchio. This glorious bridge was the only one spared by the German attacks in the second World War. Today's bridge, built in the middle of the 14th century, was originally filled with a wide variety of shops that included wool merchants and greengrocers. ...
medgenie 29.06.2008
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Advantages: full of culture Disadvantages: queues for some places, tiring but understandable
...September, for a week. As Florence (or Firenze as it is called in Italy) has no airport, we flew, from Manchester, to the Galileo Gallilee airport in Pisa. The flight was as comfortable as you would expect with British Midland and took around 2 hours.
The first thing I was greeted with when I got off the plane was a life size poster of Pavarotti! Still, Customs were O.K. and we caught a bus to Florence right outside the airport. This took around ... ...other most obvious sight in Florence id that of 'David'. He is exhibited in the Galleria dell'Academia and again the queues are unbelievable! Entry fees are expensive too, but it is worth it as David is, well, colossal!
Unsurprisingly, there are many churches in Florence worth visiting, most notably the Duomo and Santa Croce. Michaelangelo, Machiavelli and Galileo are buried in the Santa Croce, and these two chirches are unmissable! I wont bore ...
MISSBISHI 11.03.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Florence (Italy)
Advantages: Easy to get around Disadvantages: Would not suit the all out adventure seeker
...The people of Florence are extremely kind and friendly, if a little pushy when they want to sell you a leather belt! They will insist on speaking English, even when you speak in Italian to them!
The food is outstanding wherever you go - and very cheap to us British! I especially liked the steaks available in this region. Very tender and beautiful rarer than I would normally take them. Of course, there is also the pizza - nothing beats a real Italian ... ...jeans elsewhere in Florence.
Florence is a beautiful city and no trip to Italy would be complete without a visit. However, it is a tourist attraction year-round. We always go out of season in March/April and there are a lot then, including a lot of school parties (of the teenage variety). ...
mab 27.07.2000 (13.08.2002)
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Advantages: Truly beautiful and the most Romantic place one can ever hope to visit Disadvantages: Expensive in parts - caution is necessary over pickpockets as well sadly
Florence is truly one of the cities that everyone should visit if they ever get the chance, or are anywhere close by. It is easily accessible if one is near the port of Livorno, and makes for a far more interesting and exciting day out than the alternative town that one can visit from this location, Pisa. The Statue of David by Michaelangelo is one of the most famous statues in the world, and there are various fakes adorning the town. The shops are ... ...there is a great selection of all the big name designers from around the globe. There are some interesting restaurants dotted around as well – the town really is fun to explore. Besides the other sights there is the bridge over the river which offers some jewellery shops – and some more jewellery shops! ...
BIGHORSE 02.08.2000
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...the best time to visit Florence is November. It may be colder then but it is rather lovely as you can take a pleasant stroll round the galleries without being mistakenly herded into a tour group and you can spend longer gazing at the beautiful paintings such as Botticelli's "Primavera" in the Uffizi Gallery or the great statue of David in L'Accademia. Even though it is chillier than some might like it - it is a great time to go as I found that most ...
penguin_too 17.07.2000
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Review of Florence (Italy)
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