sfarah

My husband and I will be in Venice for a 4 night long weekend during Carnvial in February. I was contemplating a day trip to Florence on Monday, the last full day of our trip. I have been to Florence before but my husband has not. The train would arrive around 1:30 p.m. and depart around 8:30 p.m., so we'd have 7 hours to spend there. I'm hoping he would get a small taste of the flavor of Florence. He likes museums but he prefers to spend his time walking down side streets, people watching from a cafe and practicing his Italian with the locals. And we both LOVE shopping! We keep a quick pace when traveling and are avid walkers usually clocking in miles at the end of the day. I thought we could arrive, have lunch, walk around a bit and then do some shopping. Any itinerary suggestions would be appreciated. The last time I went to Florence I remember eating in Zaza's. It it still there? Great meal at an incredible bargain.

Shar

I think your idea is wonderful - Pick a wonderful Piazza and have a fabulous meal and walk the charming streets. You would spend a lot of time in line for museums (maybe not in February) but if you make reservations ahead of time you save hours of waiting. It would be a shame to visit and not see at least some of the faublous art.

bobthenavigator

Not on Monday--the museums are closed.

Tess_Durberville

Both the Uffizi Gallery and the Accademia (where statue of David is located) are closed on Mondays. However, there are a few other places, like the Bargello and the Medici Chapels which are open on certain Mondays each month --- the 1st, 3rd, 5th Mondays. Per www.weekendafirenze.com, this is current schedule; don't know if it changes during February. Additionally, another oft-visited spot is the Santa Croce church, which has lovely Giotto frescoes as well as other art pieces. And of course, you can view the "faux" David --- the reproduction of the original statue is outside in the Piazza Signoria (?).

I do agree that your plan for a day in Florence can be fun. It's been awhile since I've been to Florence, so I'll defer to others on specific suggestions on where to shop. Last time I was there several years ago, I found some nice leather shops around the neighborhood of Santa Croce church. And of course, there is the Leather School adjacent to the church.

ira

Hi sf,

>The train would arrive around 1:30 p.m. and depart around 8:30 p.m., ...<

Aside from the major sites being closed, you are arriving about the end of lunch and will have difficulty having dinner in Florence before your train leaves, plus I think that it is far too short a visit.

May I suggest going to Bologna instead?

You will save 2 hr on the train, have time for a decent lunch and a nice dinner and definitely be able to shop.

Tess_Durberville

Here are a few older threads about Florence shopping options:

Florence Markets not to be missed
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34530449

shopping in Florence
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34443949

Santa Maria Novella fans-advice needed
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34483318

sfarah

Thanks to all for the wonderful suggestions. I may just play it by ear and see how the first few days of the trip play out. Ira thanks for the Bologna idea. I had Bologna and Verona in mind as respective alternatives. I was leaning towards Bologna because I hear it's a very elegant city. I read somewhere several years ago that Emilia-Romagna has one of the highest "quality of life" ratings in the world. Interesting...

LoveItaly

Sfarah, although arriving at 1:30 in the afternoon really is not to late to have lunch I think Ira's idea of going to Bologna instead is a wonderful idea. I have only spent 2 days in Bologna but enjoyed every moment. Can hardly wait to go back.

Paci

We just got back from Florence, Venice, Rome, Verona, Tuscany. Just know that not only are the museums closed in Florence on Monday but the stores do not open until 3:30 p.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. If you do not go to Bologna, you should go to Verona. It is charming, has wonderful restaurants, is close to Venice and has exactly the same stores as Florence and most of Italy for that matter.

sfarah

Paci- Bologna and Verona are about the same traveling time from Venice. I haven't been to either. Which would you recommend, especially for shopping?

Castleton

Shopping? BOLOGNA !!!

LoveItaly

Shopping, Bologna for sure. Verona is a beautiful city, but if you want to do shopping - Bologna!

Paci

Sfarah:

I have not been to Bologna but we loved Verona. We only spent a day there but the streets are lovely as is the area around the river. They pretty much have the same designer stores as Florence- with a couple of extras thrown in. The Fodor site will give you a good overview or else look in a guide book for additional info. I loved Florence but if you only have a day, you will not be disappointed by Verona - in my opinion. It is definitely much smaller but that could be a good thing for you because of your limited time.

ira

Hi sf,

I would go to Bologna for the food, but if you would rather shop:

Starting from the train station go 1-2 bloks to your left to Via Indipendenza and head South. The street is arcaded through almost its full length and is lined with shops on both sides.

At the end of the street is the main square and the Neptune Fountain.

You might find the Bologna part of my trip report helpful:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34451044

sfarah

Thanks Fodorites, we've decided on Bologna. We love shopping for unique items that are not necessarily expensive. Definitely not looking for just another designer doodad. And as for shopping or eating Ira, we will attempt to do justice to both. Our motors will be running the moment we step off the train Viva la bella Italia!