3 days in Florence- help!!
Mar 5th, 2007 | 03:26 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
3 days in Florence- help!!
Hi everyone,
My boyfriend and I will be traveling to the Tuscany region from March 24-27 (sat-tue). We are in our mid 20s, appreciate good food and wine, are somewhat interested in art and history, and on a slightly limited budget (although we don't mind splurging on a great meal or a must see attraction). We are staying at a bed and breakfast 9 km from Florence, La Paggeria. Here is our loose itinerary. I was wondering if you could look it over and made suggestions or comments. Our main task is to figure out what to actually see or do in Florence. We want to see some art and museums, but don't want to spend the whole day lost in one when everything starts looking the same.
Saturday: arrive in Pisa airport at 4:30 pm- take train to Florence, drop off luggage at B&B, and then eat dinner. We have the choice of having it made for us at our bed and breakfast or going to a restaurant in Florence. Since there are so many wonderful restaurants I keep reading about I'm thinking we'll venture into Florence.
Sunday: Explore Florence. This is the part of the trip we need help with. What are some of the must-sees for only one day?
Monday: We are doing the Best of Tuscany tour through artviva that leaves from Florence and explores Siena and San Gimignano.
Tuesday: Our flight leaves from Pisa at 4:30. I was thinking that perhaps we could take the Original Walking Tour of Florence in the morning, from 9:30 to 12:30, before getting to Pisa. (this tour doesn't operate on Sundays at this time of year). The reason I had my heart set on it was that I want to actually learn about the sites. So in this case we could try to plan Sunday to hit everything this tour does not. Do you think this is a bad idea? Our flight will be on ryanair to Frankfurt, so I think even if worse came to worse and we missed it, we could always reschedule one for not much money. But 4 hours to get from Florence to Pisa- unreasonable?
My boyfriend and I will be traveling to the Tuscany region from March 24-27 (sat-tue). We are in our mid 20s, appreciate good food and wine, are somewhat interested in art and history, and on a slightly limited budget (although we don't mind splurging on a great meal or a must see attraction). We are staying at a bed and breakfast 9 km from Florence, La Paggeria. Here is our loose itinerary. I was wondering if you could look it over and made suggestions or comments. Our main task is to figure out what to actually see or do in Florence. We want to see some art and museums, but don't want to spend the whole day lost in one when everything starts looking the same.
Saturday: arrive in Pisa airport at 4:30 pm- take train to Florence, drop off luggage at B&B, and then eat dinner. We have the choice of having it made for us at our bed and breakfast or going to a restaurant in Florence. Since there are so many wonderful restaurants I keep reading about I'm thinking we'll venture into Florence.
Sunday: Explore Florence. This is the part of the trip we need help with. What are some of the must-sees for only one day?
Monday: We are doing the Best of Tuscany tour through artviva that leaves from Florence and explores Siena and San Gimignano.
Tuesday: Our flight leaves from Pisa at 4:30. I was thinking that perhaps we could take the Original Walking Tour of Florence in the morning, from 9:30 to 12:30, before getting to Pisa. (this tour doesn't operate on Sundays at this time of year). The reason I had my heart set on it was that I want to actually learn about the sites. So in this case we could try to plan Sunday to hit everything this tour does not. Do you think this is a bad idea? Our flight will be on ryanair to Frankfurt, so I think even if worse came to worse and we missed it, we could always reschedule one for not much money. But 4 hours to get from Florence to Pisa- unreasonable?
Mar 5th, 2007 | 05:14 PM
#2
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 37,526
Likes: 14
The Florence historic center is compact and you can walk from one side to the other in about 20 minutes.
Where is your B&B? Will they store your luggage while you are doing the walking tour? If not, you will need to store it at the train station. If you plan to tour the Uffizi and Accademia (both closed on Mondays)on Sunday, you should make reservations in advance as the lines can be quite long.
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en...sei/accademia/
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en...sei/accademia/
There are multiple companies with walking tours and I'm sure you could find a similar one for the days and times you want.
There is a bus service for the budget flights from the train/bus station area to the airport and is 8E each way. www.terravision.it
Where is your B&B? Will they store your luggage while you are doing the walking tour? If not, you will need to store it at the train station. If you plan to tour the Uffizi and Accademia (both closed on Mondays)on Sunday, you should make reservations in advance as the lines can be quite long.
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en...sei/accademia/
http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en...sei/accademia/
There are multiple companies with walking tours and I'm sure you could find a similar one for the days and times you want.
There is a bus service for the budget flights from the train/bus station area to the airport and is 8E each way. www.terravision.it
Mar 6th, 2007 | 06:20 AM
#4
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,266
Likes: 0
The train station has a very secure baggage check room that charges a fee per bag.
For your short schedule, definitely get reservations for the Accademia but you might skip the Uffizi since it takes more time and concentration.
Take a look at the Duomo and Baptistery at some point--Sunday might have limited openings times so check ahead.
Walk across the Ponte Vecchio to the Oltrarno and wander it's quieter streets. You might even climb the hill there to Piazzale for a picture-perfect view of Florence and also a view of more country-fied houses and yards on the hillside.
For your short schedule, definitely get reservations for the Accademia but you might skip the Uffizi since it takes more time and concentration.
Take a look at the Duomo and Baptistery at some point--Sunday might have limited openings times so check ahead.
Walk across the Ponte Vecchio to the Oltrarno and wander it's quieter streets. You might even climb the hill there to Piazzale for a picture-perfect view of Florence and also a view of more country-fied houses and yards on the hillside.
Mar 7th, 2007 | 06:39 AM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,546
Likes: 0
We took the "Original" walk and enjoyed it. From my post:
"We prebooked the walking tour with Artviva- http://tinyurl.com/ye5zwq. We were a group of 11 people, led by Tanya, an American who had a clear pleasant voice and regaled us with a cascade of info as she led us for 3 hours from Piaza S. Trinita, through P. Signoria, into the Duomo. We gave her 5/couple after she said tips were appreciated."
"We prebooked the walking tour with Artviva- http://tinyurl.com/ye5zwq. We were a group of 11 people, led by Tanya, an American who had a clear pleasant voice and regaled us with a cascade of info as she led us for 3 hours from Piaza S. Trinita, through P. Signoria, into the Duomo. We gave her 5/couple after she said tips were appreciated."
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Mar 7th, 2007 | 06:59 AM
#8
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Hi DC,
>Saturday: arrive in Pisa airport at 4:30 pm-
The next trains to Florence are at 17:05, 17:35 and 17:53.
You won't get to Florence before 18:27. Then you have to get to Vaglia.
I think that you would like a nice, quiet dinner at the B&B to help you wind down and get into the rhythm of Italy.
>Sunday: Explore Florence.
This might help you:
A DAY IN FLORENCE:
Train to Florence SMN:
The Luggage Office is to your left as you leave the train.
From Piazza d' Stazione, walk up via Nazionale to via d'Ariento and the Mercato Centrale, wander through.
Take any street going NE to Via Degli Alfani and go right to the Accademia for The David.
Take via Ricasoli SE to the Duomo, the Baptistry and the Opera Museum (Originals of the bronzes on the doors)
From the Campanile, take via Calzaiuoli S (do some window shopping) to the Piazza d' Signoria. Look around, take a break.
Continue S to the Uffizi. Visit.
From the Uffizi, walk W along the Arno River to the Ponte Vecchio.
(You can walk up to the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens if there is time. Great views of Florence from the top of the Gardens)
If you have time, walk E along the S bank of the river to Ponte alle grazie and cross over to visit Santa Croce.
If not, go W along the Arno from Ponte Vecchio to Ponte S. Trinita and go right. Go left on Via d'Spada to via d'Fossi and go right to Santa Maria Novella. Look around.
SMN is across the square from the train station.
Be sure to have lots of gelato (in a cup, not a cone), take some wine breaks and a light lunch.
Train schedules, prices and tickets are at www.trenitalia.com
Bus routes are at http://www.ataf.net/
Buy your ticket before you get on the bus. Stamp it in the yellow box on the bus.
Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations
The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 1016868 (dial around number), 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 3 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services.
You will not be charged for the reservations unless you use them.
>Tuesday: Our flight leaves from Pisa at 4:30.
How early do you have to be at PSA?
I don't think that you will make the 13:03. You will make the 13:33, but it arrives at 14:55.
See www.trenitalia.com for schedules and tickets.
Have a nice visit.
>Saturday: arrive in Pisa airport at 4:30 pm-
The next trains to Florence are at 17:05, 17:35 and 17:53.
You won't get to Florence before 18:27. Then you have to get to Vaglia.
I think that you would like a nice, quiet dinner at the B&B to help you wind down and get into the rhythm of Italy.
>Sunday: Explore Florence.
This might help you:
A DAY IN FLORENCE:
Train to Florence SMN:
The Luggage Office is to your left as you leave the train.
From Piazza d' Stazione, walk up via Nazionale to via d'Ariento and the Mercato Centrale, wander through.
Take any street going NE to Via Degli Alfani and go right to the Accademia for The David.
Take via Ricasoli SE to the Duomo, the Baptistry and the Opera Museum (Originals of the bronzes on the doors)
From the Campanile, take via Calzaiuoli S (do some window shopping) to the Piazza d' Signoria. Look around, take a break.
Continue S to the Uffizi. Visit.
From the Uffizi, walk W along the Arno River to the Ponte Vecchio.
(You can walk up to the Pitti Palace and the Boboli Gardens if there is time. Great views of Florence from the top of the Gardens)
If you have time, walk E along the S bank of the river to Ponte alle grazie and cross over to visit Santa Croce.
If not, go W along the Arno from Ponte Vecchio to Ponte S. Trinita and go right. Go left on Via d'Spada to via d'Fossi and go right to Santa Maria Novella. Look around.
SMN is across the square from the train station.
Be sure to have lots of gelato (in a cup, not a cone), take some wine breaks and a light lunch.
Train schedules, prices and tickets are at www.trenitalia.com
Bus routes are at http://www.ataf.net/
Buy your ticket before you get on the bus. Stamp it in the yellow box on the bus.
Uffizi and Academia Museum Reservations
The easiest and cheapest way is to call Florence 1016868 (dial around number), 011 (U.S. international access code) 39 (Italy's country code) then 055-294-883 8:30-18:30 M-F and 8:30-12:00 Sat. Florence time. You will get an English speaking operator and in 2-3 minutes YOU CAN RESERVE FOR BOTH. This is through the reservation service at the Uffizi and costs beyond the normal entry fee only about 3 euro for the service. This is MUCH cheaper than the commercial booking services.
You will not be charged for the reservations unless you use them.
>Tuesday: Our flight leaves from Pisa at 4:30.
How early do you have to be at PSA?
I don't think that you will make the 13:03. You will make the 13:33, but it arrives at 14:55.
See www.trenitalia.com for schedules and tickets.
Have a nice visit.
