Ackislander

Just a note on the address for gelato posted above: "the address might be slightly off."

There are, I believe, three separate street numbering systems in Florence, and they are interwoven depending on when the property was built, not consecutive like Venice. So if you are looking for 18, it is likely to be "18ish", somewhere between 15 and 21 or so. But restaurants are well- signed even if oddly numbered.

flpab

Hope you are having a great trip. I did a very nice cooking class there with a visit to the markets. Hope you get some sunny warmer weather.

annw

Deb we ran into a zillion youngsters in Paris, Florence, and Venice -- seemed to be a lot of school groups out!

Leely2

Every time I have been to Florence it has been crawling with students, but I have always thought they were college kids. FWIW, Florence draws a lot American exchange students too. Lucky kids! First time I was in Florence I was much younger and my girlfriends and I were invited to a rave our second day.

And lucky Deb. I hope you have a great trip.

AlessandraZoe

Yep, you are right, Debit. We forgot to warn you that Florence is Spring Break central.

However, on the bright side, at least you are not there during free museum week.

It's been years since we went, but a company from which I bought museum tickets (you could not reserve anything online in those days) sent me a gelato location map!!!!! We worked SO hard to check all of them off.

Work hard, Debit, work hard
AZ

Janetd5

Not just Spring Break - Florence had mobs of teen groups in October a few years ago. Even at San Marco, where each monk cell had teens sitting on the floor, lounging against the walls, and checking their phones. Probably texting between cells to escape their guides. No security around to protect the frescos. Not sure if winter months might be the best time to visit Florence?

IMDonehere

When you are tourist, you really have no right to complain about hordes of tourists, but near Il Duomo in Florence is the tourist epicenter, where during the day, you rarely hear Italian spoken.

hetismij2

It isn't spring break but it is school trip time. Florence, like Paris and London is a popular place to take a group.
Our son went, and camped outside the city somewhere with great views. He loved it.

There are still a couple of thousand kids pouring out of the school round the corner from me so they aren't all there.

Don't let them spoil your trip!

suec1

I guess no one wants to answer about the tipping thing - should I start a new thread or just resign myslef to being a dupe.

kybourbon

>>>However, on the bright side, at least you are not there during free museum week.<<<

Rome is no longer participating in Culture Week. Is Florence still doing it?

socaltraveler

When our daughter studied in Siena several years ago, we visited her on my spring break and while there, took a day trip to Florence with her. We had never been there in the spring before. We were also amazed at the great numbers of teens; seemed like all the college students studying there had friends visiting that week LOL. Our daughter knew several, and said she was glad she was in Siena because there were too many American students in Florence. So I understand your experience. it is similar to visiting Venice when the cruise ships are there for the day. I think if we were to plan another visit to Florence I would think about late fall or even the winter, now that I am retired and do not need to travel on spring breaks. It does sound like you are having a great time, enjoy, enjoy.

annw

sue I'm guessing the tipping thing is that, in general, Italians don't tip or tip much and theoretically it is not expected, or it is included as a service charge or coperto (cover), but the Florentine hospitality industry "explains" to visitors that in fact tipping is expected, perhaps on top of those other charges.

But I hope others will chime in.

Deb, I hope the trip is going great! We are just back and trying to get back into work mode.

DebitNM

It really wasn't a complaint, more an observation. Yes, it does seem more like school sponsored trips than simply spring break., though I don't see many adults/teachers with the groups. You can't help but notice them, they simply are the dominant visitors.

Uffuzi and all of the Duomo today and yes, another gelato. Trattoria Sostanza for dinner tonight and then off for a day tour of Tuscany.

La Dolce Vita, for sure!

tarquin

Lots of American universities have outposts in Florence, and who wouldn't want to do six months or so there? Fortunately they all tend to eat in the same restaurants like Quattro Leone in the Oltrarno.

Perche no? on Via Tavolini has good gelato, also my favourite Cantinetta del Verrazzano, a focaccia bakery combined with wine bar, is on the same street.

HappyTrvlr

We were pleasantly surprised on our last trip to Florence in late June that there were no crowds, quite different from our other experiences. The Ponte Vecchio was almost empty. On an earlier trip, we saw a lot of students too. Enjoy the rest of your time in beautifulItaly, DebitNM.

sarge56

When I was in Florence 2 years ago, in late March, it was nuts with teenagers. And while I didn't find their behavior all that bad- the smoking made me nuts.

I chatted up a group of cute 15-16 yr old girls who were sitting behind me on the steps of the Duomo (I was enjoying a strawberry gelato while my cousin climbed to the dome). They had chased away a cadre of boys, all smokers.

I asked (in my broken Italian) and they answered (in their broken English) why there were so many teen smokers in Italy. They pretty much said the boys were stupid, and that's why they smoked. hahaha

I will admit that I have, on occasion, while visiting Italy seen teen behavior that was truly unacceptable (spitting contests, climbing on temple ruins like jungle gyms, etc) and said something to the offenders. Some people might think it was none of my business. I don't care. It was unacceptable to me and I did say something and it did, at least in my presence, change the behavior.)

Debit- Hope you have a great tour in Tuscany! Can't wait to read your trip report and see pictures! It will get me all revved up for my upcoming trip!

AlessandraZoe

Debit--So how did it go in the Uffizi?
And did you climb to the top of the Dome of the Duomo?

Your fans are dying to know.
AZ

annhig

sue I'm guessing the tipping thing is that, in general, Italians don't tip or tip much and theoretically it is not expected, or it is included as a service charge or coperto (cover), but the Florentine hospitality industry "explains" to visitors that in fact tipping is expected, perhaps on top of those other charges.>>

spot on annw - about the normal custom, anyway. like you I haven't heard what Dukey did, but I think we can guess. There was a different variation on it in Naples - for a €33 bill, we offered 2 €20 notes. The waiter was obviously angling for us to just tell him to keep the change, but gave in with good grace when we demanded he hand it over and of course we then gave him a smaller €3 tip as part of the "game".

DebitNM

Uffizzi was really enjoyable; we spent close to 3 hours. We used the Rick Steeve audio tour and it was well done. A few things had been moved around, so it was a bit off, but all in all, well done and made our experience better for using it.

And yes, we climbed all 463 steps to the outdoor viewing area of the Duomo. What views; so worth it!
When I get home I will post pictures and provide links.

Buonasera~

AlessandraZoe

I am so happy that you liked the Uffizzi. So many people do not, and it sounds as though you really spent the time to delve into it.

Every step you climb means more gelato.

So the question will be by the end of this trip: is the gelato in Florence truly the best in Italy? I have my opinion, but can't wait to hear yours.
AZ
PS--If per chance, you are taking the train to Pisa for an outing, make sure to a) take the tacky leaning photo and b) buy the tacky leaning coffee cup.