Racerh

We will be in Florence on April 30 (Monday) and May 1 (Holiday) this year and I am wondering what if anything we will be able to see/do. I am not concerned about restaurants but more about museums and sites.

Can anyone give suggestions on what will be open in Florence, Pisa, Lucca, and Sienna? I believe that most museums are closed on Monday and will also be closed on Tuesday due to the holiday.

jamikins

Have you checked the websites of museums? They should specify days they are closed.

Racerh

Yes and unfortunately most everything is closed for 2 days

Racerh

I did find this website and it looks like we will be ok on Monday - http://www.visitflorence.com/florenc...n-mondays.html

StCirq

I don't know what limits there will be on public transportation, but I'd probably take a bus ride through the countryside. Or wander over to Fiesole.

TDudette

If it is like an Easter Monday that DH and I experienced, public transportation will have holiday hours on Easter Monday.

Based on the site you found, it looks like you'll be OK on Tuesday for Uffizi and Accademia, Racerh?

Apres_Londee

I would check the opening hours for the churches- they would probably be open on May 1. Just walking Florence is wonderful, even if the museums are closed.

zeppole

You will have to check right up to the days of your trip about closures and transportation options. Sometimes local buses do not run on May 1 -- so that advice to take a trip to the countryside is a bum steer.

Another problem you might face is that this year, May 1 -- which is Labor Day in Italy -- might see a good many more demonstrations and work stoppages by public employees because of the politics of austerity. Just hard to predict.

Were it me, and the trains were running, I would go over to Bologna, the seat of historic Communism in Italy, and join the party in the piazza Maggiore. There will surely be a big picnic and concert spilling out all over town. But I hesitate to recommend that to somebody else because I don't know what the mood will be this year.

If you had been thinking at all of booking a private tour with a bike touring outfit, or a wine tasting tour, or anything like that, this would be a good day to do it. If the weather is nice, you can hike up into the hills. If you seriously enjoy art, they won't close the churches, and Florence has more than you could easily see in a week, all beautiful in their own way.

kybourbon

The official museums website might be more accurate.

http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en...p#!prettyPhoto

kybourbon

Hours link.

http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en/orari/

scatcat

Is April 30 a holiday in Italy? I will be in Italy from April 27-May 3. I hope the shops and grocery stores do not close Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

Ackislander

In general, scatcat, I would expect pretty much exactly that. The more tourists, the more shops are likely to be open, and the larger the city, the more likely you are that at least some convenience stores will be open for part of the day. But if you will be in a small town, stock up.

Racerh

Thank you for your replies. I believe we are going to take a day trip to Siena and I will definitely look to see what is running. If that does not pan out booking a private tour might be a good option too.

Off topic here - but I just read about viewing the Basilica of Santa Croce via the scaffolding - I have inquired about getting tickets. That looks incredible!

annettafly

We're having the same issue---arriving in Florence on Sunday April 29. Landlady says nearly all grocery stores are closed on Sundays. The "Excuse me, where is" blog gives a market location in the lower level of the train station and another just outside the station. Can anybody confirm this or give us info about a market close to city center? We are leaving early Monday morning on an excursion and won't be back til late. Are markets in the city open in the evening hours? As for travel on Tuesday---what's the best strategy for finding out holiday transportation schedule? Thanks, I like the idea of going to Bolonga---bus or train? And Fiesole---best method of getting there? Given some of the suggestions here, I take it there are excursion companies that operate on this holiday? I'd be interested in doing Siena, Cinque Terre, or others. Is there a shortcut to finding what's available?

scatcat

zeppole

Do you know if the grocery stores (Coop) will be open in Santa Margherita on Monday the 30th?

Ackislander

The CONAD at Sta Maria Novella in Florence is open from 8AM to 8:30PM according to the station website, but I don't know if I would trust this and I would be very surprised if it is any larger than a 7-11 in the US.

danon

We"ll be on Bologna on May1....looking forward to the festivities.

A few years ago , in Rome, there was no bus service until the evening
Don't know about buses to Fiesole..it is a nice spot to visit if. possible.

annettafly

Looks like Cinque Terre tours are running out of Florence on May 1st. Think that's gonna be my plan. Walkabout Florence site says $90 for bus, guides, lunch, the whole 9 yards.

annettafly

Sorry---that's 90 euros not dollars.

zeppole

Sorry, scatcat, I didn't see your post until now. I don't know the answer but I would assume the markets would be open. The supermarkets tend to stay open, and April 30th is really not a holiday. Hope you will do some shopping in Pestarino (via Palestro) while you are in Santa Margherita Ligure. Delicious stuff.