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Every teenager in Europe is in Florence today

Every teenager in Europe is in Florence today

Old Mar 27th, 2014, 10:01 AM
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Every teenager in Europe is in Florence today

Our first day here and I cannot believe the masses of high school aged teens everywhere! I guess it must be spring break. I will consult school calendars before I plan our next trip.

Spent the day doing 2 walking tours to get the lay of the land. We had a great guide, Daniela ( a very knowledgable gentleman who spoke very good English) and despite it being a bit blustery, we enjoyed both tours.

The tours are free, we did tip him at the end of each one.


http://www.florencefreetour.com
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 10:05 AM
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Where are you staying?

You must try Carapina gelato. It's not far from the Ponte Vecchio.

Via Lambertesca 18r is what my app says, although IIRC when I went looking for it the number might have been off slightly.

Creme di Vin Santo was heaaaaaaaaaaaaaavenly.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 10:11 AM
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We are in an apartment 1.5 blocks from Duomo.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 10:13 AM
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Then you can make repeated trips to Carapina!

Also, if you have time, Cipolla Rossa for a meal is quite good too. That is found in the San Lorenzo area, at Via dei Conti 53. I had a starter which was shaved truffles, piled on top of burrata. MMMMMM.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 10:26 AM
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Hope you have a great visit. Whatever you do do not allow any waiter in any restaurant to "explain how it works in Florence" in terms of tipping. You already KNOW "how it works" and don't let them try to fool you. This was our only "bad" experience in our many times in Florence and please do as much as you can cram in.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 11:00 AM
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florence is a regional center for edcuation - the scene you describe I often see - one reason why they say Florence has more mopeds per person than any Italian city. Not sure it is due to spring break but an every day occasion when I've been there in ono-summer time.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 11:43 AM
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We have reservation at Cipolla Rossa for Sunday night!

Yup, know that tipping thing, will not let them pull that one.

We just came back from a really nice treat. For 8 euros, you can have a drink and aperitvos at La Caffetteria delle Oblate. At least a dozen things to choose from, as much as you want. An easy, tasty alternative to a meal. 2nd floor of the library.

http://www.lospaziochesperavi.it/caf...late/index.php
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 11:44 AM
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OK, Debi, I tweeted to Carapina. The owner tweeted back.

They have Vin Santo gelato today. If you make it there, I hope you like it. It's faaaaabulous.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 11:44 AM
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Oh goody! You were posting when I posted. You will really like Cipolla Rossa.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 11:56 AM
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We are done for today, jet lag has finally hit us. Will try to get over therein the next couple of days. We were on the Ponte Vecchio this afternoon....
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 12:01 PM
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You did well, 10 PM on your first day.

I am jealous of your Italy sojourn.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 12:24 PM
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We actually landed in Copenhagen on Tuesday and flew to Rome yesterday and then took the Frecciarossa here last night. So the jet lag held off pretty well. It's only after 9 here, not on daylight savings time yet.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 12:50 PM
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I too like the real world aspect of a lot of secondary school and college students often found in masses in the historic center - a plus for me - why a minus I do not know.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 12:51 PM
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what is the tipping thing?
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 12:57 PM
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Carapina! Yes yes yes. We were in Florence last summer and made a special trip to eat the gelato.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 01:06 PM
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Apparently the memo about not using device was not sent to these teens. Nor was the concepts of appropriate behavior in crowded areas.

And apparently, the art of nastiness hasn't escaped old posters here on Fodors that must take on new screen names to continue to post and but whose scathing and oh so frightening comments makes others quiver. Eating, indeed - what a nerve!

Crawl back under your rock, Z.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 01:17 PM
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yum…gelato, lucky you! Looking forward to hearing about your trip. We'll be in Florence & Rome in the fall.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 01:56 PM
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You are making me remember that when we were in Paris in mid-March there were LOTS of school field trips at the museums but those were local school children and most were quite well behaved, just that there were large numbers of them.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 03:29 PM
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Spring break is next month, so it's not that.
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Old Mar 27th, 2014, 03:39 PM
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Whatever you do do not allow any waiter in any restaurant to "explain how it works in Florence" in terms of tipping.>>

I too am intrigued by your post, dukey.

What is it that these waiters try to explain? and why haven't they tried to explain it to me?

There are lots of language schools in Florence - that may explain the large no of young people.
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