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9 Days in Florence - suggested itinerary?

9 Days in Florence - suggested itinerary?

Old Apr 2nd, 2014, 08:20 AM
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9 Days in Florence - suggested itinerary?

Hi Everyone!!

I am so excited to go on a euro trip with my best friend. As some of you may notice from my other posts, we are two young adult females going on a trip around Europe as a grad present to ourselves.

We will be in florence for 9 days as kind of our home base in italy (we dont want to do a lot of jumping around since we will be there for three months so are spending an extended amount of time in each city we visit).

Does anyone have any suggestions on what we really cant miss while here. we are definitely open to doing numerous day trips - we are just not quiet sure what exactly is around that is close enough. we also wouldnt mind doing an overnight stay somewhere where isnt more than 2-3 hrs away on the train.

Thank you all and all comments are very appreciated since we don't have too much experience travelling.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2014, 09:08 AM
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friends ?
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Old Apr 2nd, 2014, 09:43 AM
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Florcence and the immediate area of Florence within reach of train or bus or tour is one of the densest areas in Europe for compelling sights. If you go to the bookstore and pick up a guidebook for Florence alone, notice how fat it is.

There are many, many, many sights in Florence that -- despite my several trips there -- I have never bothered to see. Yet for other people, these places have been the absolute highlight of their trip. And I am not talking about some quirky little jewelry museum or cheese shop. I am talking about climbing the atairs to see the inside of the dome of the cathedral up close, or the Roman ruins under the palazzo Vecchio. Some people do a swoon for Michaelangel's David. Other people do a swoon for the boiled beef sandwiches in the central market of Florence.

Florence was for centuries one of the most influential cities of Europe -- and by extension America. Yet, some people go there and say "meh" or "once was enough" or "Venice was better."

Also, please realize that 3 hours away from Florence is the Alps. Or Pompei. There is an entire world of art and history, from Etruscan through Roman through Renaissance right up to World War 2 just a 15 minute bus ride from the center of Florence -- and it all on the same bus line!

Plus outlet shopping, horseback riding, wine and world-class motorcycle racing.

So I would be very skeptical of replies that tell you that this is a "must" for you and that over there isn't. Of the millions of people who go to Florence every year who don't walk away felling ripped off and disappointed it wasn't as fun as "Tuscany", the vast majority were totally surprised by what really moved them, grabbed them, made them think, made them want to stand there and just look at what they were looking at and not move.

Fortunately there is actually a lot of that in Florence for most people and if you are there for 9 days you are a very, very lucky people.

But a guidebook and have a great time discovering what you want to do individually and separately on your shared trip.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2014, 09:45 AM
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I meant to type "buy" a guidebook, and on second thought you should buy 2 -- one for each of you so you can occasionally split up and each do your own thing.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2014, 09:49 AM
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What other places in Italy are you spending time? (So people dont suggest day trips there).
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Old Apr 2nd, 2014, 09:51 AM
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Hear hear. I would go back in a flash and do almost nothing but wander. Decide what moves the two of you, make some plans, and leave some free time. No matter what , your time won't be wasted.
I would revisit the Uffizi and Santa Croce on another visit and probably spend some time in Pienza and Monticchiello (sp?), but that's me. You be you.
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Old Apr 2nd, 2014, 10:34 AM
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thank you so much @sandralist, will take everything you said into consideration..

@debitNM, florence is the only place we are going in Italy, we are coming from france and going to croatia afterwards

thanks also, @cjar
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