Florence
*All work including photos and writing on this page is my own, except the link to the Expedia video, freely available on Youtube.
Florence, (Firenze in Italian) is just one big open air museum. Few places on earth exude the culture, grace, sophistication, art and beauty of this city. I am fortunate enough to have been here a couple of times and just love it! A must see city. Although I would avoid it in the summer heat. Spring or autumn are the best time to visit, avoiding the Maggio Musicale festival of arts from April to June if you wish to avoid crowds. Daytime temperatures range from 12c in January to the high 30's or more in July and August.
Florence is the Capital of Tuscany and also known as the cradle of the Renaissance.
Things to see in Florence
There are so many museums in Florence it is worth looking online at them all first to see which ones interest you the most. Here is my choice of places to visit. There are many more. The Firenzecard is a good idea if you plan to visit multiple attractions.
- Dante's house. - Gallerie Degli Uffizi -Piazzale Michelangelo - Duomo- Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore - Galleria dell'Accademia - Basilica of Santa Croce - Mercato Centrale -Ponte Vecchio (That famous bridge.) -Palazzo Vecchio and Museum -Museo dell'Opera del Duomo -Palazzo Pitti -Museo Nazionale del Bargello -Leonardo Da Vinci Interactive Museum -Palazzo Medici Riccardi |
Places to visit from Florence
See my page on Tuscany.
There are many places to see near here. You can drive through traditional Tuscan villages and towns such as: -Siena -Lucca -Pisa -Livorno -San Gimigiano -Arezzo -Montepulciano -Volterra -Bologna -Fiesole Or take the train to the larger towns below: Siena, Bologna, Lucca, Pisa, Livorno, San Gimigiano and Arezzo, Rome, |
FOOD
Florence is a great city for food, not just Tuscan, but their own specialities as well such as
Tagliatelle Funghi Porcini e Tartufo, Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Ribolita, Lampredotto and trippa and alsoCervello Fritto.
Popular restaurants are listed below.
-Garbo Ristorante - Italian
-Indian Palace- Indian
-Djaria - American
- New Bridge Pizza
- Bottega Di Fattoria-Trattoria Toscana - Tuscan
-Trattoria il Bargello - Mediterranean
-Pine&Apple - Chinese
-Osteria da Caterina- Italian/Tuscan
-Degusteria Italiana agli Uffizi - Italian
- Culinaria de Gustibus Bistro - Seafood
Tagliatelle Funghi Porcini e Tartufo, Bistecca alla Fiorentina, Ribolita, Lampredotto and trippa and alsoCervello Fritto.
Popular restaurants are listed below.
-Garbo Ristorante - Italian
-Indian Palace- Indian
-Djaria - American
- New Bridge Pizza
- Bottega Di Fattoria-Trattoria Toscana - Tuscan
-Trattoria il Bargello - Mediterranean
-Pine&Apple - Chinese
-Osteria da Caterina- Italian/Tuscan
-Degusteria Italiana agli Uffizi - Italian
- Culinaria de Gustibus Bistro - Seafood
Crime
Violent crime in Florence is low, but like everywhere pickpockets, vandalism and drugs are a problem.
Where to stay
We stayed in an apartment in a monastery near Siena, which was a good base to explore Tuscany. If you wish to stay in Florence the best areas to stay include Duomo area, Sante Croce, Centro Storico, Sant'Ambrogio are the popular areas, but a little further out if you would like somewhere quieter and cheaper you can look at the surrounding villages such as Barberino Val d'Elsa, Scandicci, Fiesole and highly recommend is Prato.
There aren't any dangerous areas in Florence, but The Piagge is probably one area to avoid.
Below is Dante's House.
There aren't any dangerous areas in Florence, but The Piagge is probably one area to avoid.
Below is Dante's House.
For more information click on Florence tourism.