Just returned from 8 glorious days in Florence and Siena
Apr 3rd, 2004, 06:14 PM
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Just returned from 8 glorious days in Florence and Siena
Here?s my report-
Flew United/Lufthansa Buffalo-Washington IAD-Munich-Florence and ALL the flights were on time! Took the 4 euro airpot bus to the train station.
Before I left home, rented a cell phone from platform3000.com for $40.00 and that worked very well.
Stayed at the Lepri apartment in the Borgo San Lorenzo Apartments. It was wonderful-I would stay there again in a minute. 2 minute walk to the Duomo, 1 minute walk to the San Lorenzo Markets, everything we needed in the apartment (coffee maker, washing machine, drying racks, etc) and incredible views of Brunelleschi?s dome and Giotto?s tower. The 72 steps weren't too bad after a couple times!
Had so much DELICIOUS food! Good thing we walked a lot. Bought fresh rolls, fruit and cheese from the market for breakfast and some lunches.
Restaurants we went to (all had delicious food and were not expensive)
: Osteria del Agnolo, 24 Borgo San Lorenzo
Za Za in Piazza del Mercato
Antica Pizzeria, Via del Giglio,28
13 Gobbi, 9R Via del Porcellana
Trattoria Il Giova, Borgo La Croce,73R corner Via della Mattonaia-this place is about a 10-15 minute walk NW of Santa Croce in a more residential part of Florence. It?s tiny and the menu is small and hand written but the food was wonderful! We found it walking back from the school where my daughter is volunteering while she studies in Florence.
And of course gelato! Our favorite place was Perche No?
Went to the beautiful Botticelli exhibit in the Strozzi Palace, the David twice. (IMO The David is the most magnificent art work on earth-even with the scaffolding. The 2nd time, we stayed almost to closing and the director of restoration started doing some work ?it was fascinating.
The Baptisty, Santa Maria Novella and the Officina Profumo, Museo Del? Opera del Duomo, Medici Chapels, Ponte Vecchio, Oltrarno, Fiesole, walking to Piazzale Michelangelo, Piazza Signoria, San Marco, the markets and shops- tutto bello!
Took the bus to Siena 2 separate days. It?s a beautiful ride through the Tuscan hills. I visited the family I lived with when I was studying there and of course that was bellissimo! They took us to a wonderful, typical Tuscan restaurant in the Hotel Anna,
just outside Siena. My favorite dolce is a specialty of Siena-Ricciarelli. You can find them in Florence also but the best ones are made in Siena.
We also took the Eurostar one day to visit Vatican City. Seeing the Sistine Chapel restored was amazing! We bought the train tickets at the Florence train station a couple days before our trip and it was very easy to do.
The only difficult part of the trip was leaving to come home!
Flew United/Lufthansa Buffalo-Washington IAD-Munich-Florence and ALL the flights were on time! Took the 4 euro airpot bus to the train station.
Before I left home, rented a cell phone from platform3000.com for $40.00 and that worked very well.
Stayed at the Lepri apartment in the Borgo San Lorenzo Apartments. It was wonderful-I would stay there again in a minute. 2 minute walk to the Duomo, 1 minute walk to the San Lorenzo Markets, everything we needed in the apartment (coffee maker, washing machine, drying racks, etc) and incredible views of Brunelleschi?s dome and Giotto?s tower. The 72 steps weren't too bad after a couple times!
Had so much DELICIOUS food! Good thing we walked a lot. Bought fresh rolls, fruit and cheese from the market for breakfast and some lunches.
Restaurants we went to (all had delicious food and were not expensive)
: Osteria del Agnolo, 24 Borgo San Lorenzo
Za Za in Piazza del Mercato
Antica Pizzeria, Via del Giglio,28
13 Gobbi, 9R Via del Porcellana
Trattoria Il Giova, Borgo La Croce,73R corner Via della Mattonaia-this place is about a 10-15 minute walk NW of Santa Croce in a more residential part of Florence. It?s tiny and the menu is small and hand written but the food was wonderful! We found it walking back from the school where my daughter is volunteering while she studies in Florence.
And of course gelato! Our favorite place was Perche No?
Went to the beautiful Botticelli exhibit in the Strozzi Palace, the David twice. (IMO The David is the most magnificent art work on earth-even with the scaffolding. The 2nd time, we stayed almost to closing and the director of restoration started doing some work ?it was fascinating.
The Baptisty, Santa Maria Novella and the Officina Profumo, Museo Del? Opera del Duomo, Medici Chapels, Ponte Vecchio, Oltrarno, Fiesole, walking to Piazzale Michelangelo, Piazza Signoria, San Marco, the markets and shops- tutto bello!
Took the bus to Siena 2 separate days. It?s a beautiful ride through the Tuscan hills. I visited the family I lived with when I was studying there and of course that was bellissimo! They took us to a wonderful, typical Tuscan restaurant in the Hotel Anna,
just outside Siena. My favorite dolce is a specialty of Siena-Ricciarelli. You can find them in Florence also but the best ones are made in Siena.
We also took the Eurostar one day to visit Vatican City. Seeing the Sistine Chapel restored was amazing! We bought the train tickets at the Florence train station a couple days before our trip and it was very easy to do.
The only difficult part of the trip was leaving to come home!
Apr 4th, 2004, 07:36 AM
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Forgot to mention that most but not all places take credit cards and I had no trouble getting cash from the ATMs in Florence and Siena.
Also,I'll be happy to answer any questions about my trip.
cw
Also,I'll be happy to answer any questions about my trip.
cw
Apr 4th, 2004, 07:46 AM
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How many days did you stay? Also, would you recommend staying one night in Siena and would you know of any low budget hotels? Did you take the slow bus ride through the Tuscan hills with all the stops, or the Siena Rapido?
We are going to Florence next week Apr. 13-17 (thinking that we should stay 17 & 18 extra in Florence). Do you think that is too many days? We would also like to see Siena and Pisa.
We are going to Florence next week Apr. 13-17 (thinking that we should stay 17 & 18 extra in Florence). Do you think that is too many days? We would also like to see Siena and Pisa.
Apr 4th, 2004, 07:48 AM
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I'm glad you had such a great trip. I've been back for one week, but haven't gotten it together yet to write a trip report. Yours was great, and helped my relive some of mine. I also was in Florence, but only forl 2 nights.We ate at Za Za's the first night, and it was so fabulous and reasonable, we went back the second night and it was just as good. They have the best pesto I have ever eaten. We ate outside both nights, as the weather was mild. Sounds like a wonderful time with your daughters.
Apr 4th, 2004, 09:54 AM
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Hi Ira,
We paid 745 euros for 8 nights -650 for the 1st week and 95 for the extra night.
Princess,
We did take the Rapida bus to Siena. 2 years ago we rented a car and drove through the tuscan hills when we stayed in Galluzzo just south of Florence.
I don't think you have too many days in Florence. It's easy to take trips to Siena, Pisa, other tuscan towns and even Cinque Terre. And there are endless things to experience in Florence.
If you go to Perche No? for gelato you might see my daughter-she's there everyday! Have a wonderful trip!
We paid 745 euros for 8 nights -650 for the 1st week and 95 for the extra night.
Princess,
We did take the Rapida bus to Siena. 2 years ago we rented a car and drove through the tuscan hills when we stayed in Galluzzo just south of Florence.
I don't think you have too many days in Florence. It's easy to take trips to Siena, Pisa, other tuscan towns and even Cinque Terre. And there are endless things to experience in Florence.
If you go to Perche No? for gelato you might see my daughter-she's there everyday! Have a wonderful trip!
Apr 4th, 2004, 10:12 AM
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Could you expound a little on the cell phone - what are the costs (per call, etc?). Any problem receiving calls? We are visiting Rome, Florence and a cruise that will take us to Monte Carlo , St. Tropez and Nice - does the phone do all of Europe? Thanks for the info.
Michael
Michael
Apr 4th, 2004, 02:29 PM
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Hi Michael,
The cell phone from platform3000 is primarily for Italy. They actually have offices in Florence. That's where my daughter's study abroad program got their phones. She did use hers once from Switzerland with a roaming charge but I don't know how much. You might try calling them or checking the web site.
I made ~10 3-4 minute calls within Italy and the additional charge was less than 5 euros. There is no charge to you for calls from the United States and I had no problem receiving calls.
It was nice to have the phone before I left the States so I could give people the number and it was activated as soon as I got to Italy. It also came with a prepaid UPS label to return it.
Good luck.
The cell phone from platform3000 is primarily for Italy. They actually have offices in Florence. That's where my daughter's study abroad program got their phones. She did use hers once from Switzerland with a roaming charge but I don't know how much. You might try calling them or checking the web site.
I made ~10 3-4 minute calls within Italy and the additional charge was less than 5 euros. There is no charge to you for calls from the United States and I had no problem receiving calls.
It was nice to have the phone before I left the States so I could give people the number and it was activated as soon as I got to Italy. It also came with a prepaid UPS label to return it.
Good luck.
Apr 5th, 2004, 08:06 AM
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CarolW,
Sounds like you had a great trip! We (2 adults, 1 5 yr old and 1 baby) are renting the Lepri apt. in May. My question to you is related to grocery stores near the apt. How far is the nearest grocery from the Lepri apt. store where I can buy some milk, baby food etc. Thank you in advance.
Sounds like you had a great trip! We (2 adults, 1 5 yr old and 1 baby) are renting the Lepri apt. in May. My question to you is related to grocery stores near the apt. How far is the nearest grocery from the Lepri apt. store where I can buy some milk, baby food etc. Thank you in advance.
Apr 5th, 2004, 08:39 AM
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Hi geminicricket,
Yes there is a microwave in the apt.Also a machine machine,dishwasher,(with detergents for both and for hand washing),blow dryer,iron, coffee maker with a reusable filter, TV, CD player,telephone for local calls-it was better equipped than I thought it would be.
As far as groceries-we shopped at the San Lorenzo food market where you can get milk but I don't know about baby food. You might ask whoever meets you at the apartment. Gianna was very helpful. I'm sure there are small grocery stores closeby. There is a large STANDA supermarket that we went to the first night because the market was closed but that's about a 15-20 walk. Good luck.
Yes there is a microwave in the apt.Also a machine machine,dishwasher,(with detergents for both and for hand washing),blow dryer,iron, coffee maker with a reusable filter, TV, CD player,telephone for local calls-it was better equipped than I thought it would be.
As far as groceries-we shopped at the San Lorenzo food market where you can get milk but I don't know about baby food. You might ask whoever meets you at the apartment. Gianna was very helpful. I'm sure there are small grocery stores closeby. There is a large STANDA supermarket that we went to the first night because the market was closed but that's about a 15-20 walk. Good luck.
Apr 5th, 2004, 10:35 AM
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Carol,
Do you remember the address of STANDA supermarket? We are arriving in the evening and would like to go grocery shopping as soon as we can.
Aslo, if I understand correctly, you had keys to Lepri apartment. Did you have to meet with Gianna on the day of departure to return the keys? We are leaving Florence very early in the morning, and I have been wondering how will that work.
Thank you for your help.
Bob.
Do you remember the address of STANDA supermarket? We are arriving in the evening and would like to go grocery shopping as soon as we can.
Aslo, if I understand correctly, you had keys to Lepri apartment. Did you have to meet with Gianna on the day of departure to return the keys? We are leaving Florence very early in the morning, and I have been wondering how will that work.
Thank you for your help.
Bob.
Apr 5th, 2004, 12:16 PM
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Hi Bob,
I have to check my map of Florence. I do know we turned left directly from Piazza Della Republica (comimg from the apt)and it was quite a few blocks down on the left. I'll get back to you. And if you can wait a week I'll get the exact address from my daughter when she gets back to Florence.
We also had an early flight and just left the keys on the kitchen table.
I have to check my map of Florence. I do know we turned left directly from Piazza Della Republica (comimg from the apt)and it was quite a few blocks down on the left. I'll get back to you. And if you can wait a week I'll get the exact address from my daughter when she gets back to Florence.
We also had an early flight and just left the keys on the kitchen table.
Apr 5th, 2004, 01:48 PM
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Hey Carolw,
Thank you for your trip details. I am heading to Italy in May for my Honeymoon and have been doing some research on the must sees, must dos and must eats for Rome, Florence, Venice and Lake Como.
Question for you: Did you make reservations for the main Florence Museums before hand, or just show up the day of? Is there a safe website to reserve tickets in advance?
Also, I am only going to be in Florence for 2 days can you narrow down your restaurant list down to your absolute favorites?
Thank you for your trip details. I am heading to Italy in May for my Honeymoon and have been doing some research on the must sees, must dos and must eats for Rome, Florence, Venice and Lake Como.
Question for you: Did you make reservations for the main Florence Museums before hand, or just show up the day of? Is there a safe website to reserve tickets in advance?
Also, I am only going to be in Florence for 2 days can you narrow down your restaurant list down to your absolute favorites?
