Peggy

Appreciate ideas for our first trip to Florence in November. We will be there 3 days.

Tom

Peggy, <BR> <BR>Have been to Florence twice and have found the following to be valuable. <BR> <BR>1. See David. If you do nothing else see David! <BR> <BR>2. See the Ufizi Gallery <BR> <BR>3. Enjoy the gelato, the very best in the world. My favorite is coconut <BR> <BR>4. Walk the city and climb the hills accross the river and get a great view of the city. <BR> <BR>5. Eat, eat, and eat some more, great food! <BR> <BR>Enjoy!

Susan

Peggy, <BR>Give us some more feedback. What do you guys like to do? Museums? Walking outside? Are you interested in history? Architechture? <BR>Here are some thoughts...but from my point of view. <BR>I love art. And Florence is a great place to see art. Def. go to the Uffizi. Get tix in advance so you don't wait in line. If you love art, I highly recommend the museums....there is one near the Duomo where you can see the actual original panels done for the doors on the Bapistry - I'll have to look up the name. The Bargello. etc. <BR>I missed out on the "countryside" last time I was there, so am going this time. visit the towns...Lucca, Assisi, etc. <BR> <BR>I found the Medici chapels to be worth seeing. If you love villas & gardens there are a couple of beautiful ones outside of Florence to visit. <BR> <BR>For churches, I recommned S. Maria Novella. One of the first things you can do is go to the travel section of any good book store and just sit on the floor & read through and see what looks good to you.

Peggy

Thanks for your reply. We are at the planning stage and your ideas are truly appreciated.

Katherine

Ever notice how people want you to have exactly the same experience they had when they went somewhere? : ) <BR> <BR>So, that said... get to Florence in the early evening, tired and hungry. Check into your hotel and then go to the Tosacana restaurant on via Guelfa and have the wonderful pork steak (must have been the night, I've never had the same experience again!) Then stroll along via Cavour in the moonlight and come upon the amazing Duomo for your first glimpse. You will be incredulous. Then head on down toward the Arno and in the corridors of the Uffizi you will hear the lone violinist playing a mournful Vivaldi........ <BR> <BR>OK, that said, do all the things that Tom suggested. And add to the list the Duomo Opera Museum. There you will find the original doors to the bapestry and can study them "up close and personal". Also, there are some interesting relics there. <BR> <BR>Take the #7 bus to Fiasole and visit the Etruscan ruins. There's an awesome little museum there. The bus ride is rather like Mr. Toad's wild ride.

Susan

Oh Yeah! That's it! The Duomo Opera Museum. I loved that one. Well worth it. I don't know how those guys did it....

Dror

Go to Pisa while you're in Florence. Its only 1 1/2 hrs away by train or car.

ger

Peggy: <BR> <BR>Which three days? I discovered, on my trip to Florence, that if you want to visit museums, you have to check on when they are open. Most are closed on Sunday afternoon and Mondays. Please provide dates so we can help. <BR> <BR>Generally, for a first trip and three days, I would recommend walking most of the time interspersed with a couple of hours to see specific items in the many museums and churches. A few hours should be set aside for shopping - everything from the best designer labels to cheap leather goods in the markets to wonderful perfumes, essential oils and soaps that you can get nowhere else. <BR> <BR>I would recommend a couple of books to help you decide what you want to do: <BR> <BR>- Florencewalks (on tape): available from Barnes & Noble website - four walks through the city which will give you the historical context for the city <BR>- National Geographic Florence & Tuscany: Great book if you are interested in history & art <BR>- Eyewitness Florence: Good source for general information <BR> <BR>Also, do a seach on Florence and you will find a wealth of information on others experience. <BR> <BR>Regards ... Ger

Rob

Peggy: So much to do in so little time!! <BR>Don't miss a sunset from the Ponte Vecchio!! Also,spend an early evening in the Piazza della Signoria, and indulge in some gelato . . . my favorite is lemone!! <BR> <BR>Have a great time!!!! <BR>

Linda

The David, The David, The David; then gelato at Vivoli's, Fiesole to look down on Florence.

Book Chick

Say hello to my old home away from home for me, won't you? (*Sigh...how I miss that place sometimes..) <BR> <BR>Okay, here goes, hop the bus to Fiesole (before you can sing the "Star Bangled Banner" backwards, you will be there) & enjoy the view of the Florentine skyline. Similar view is from a church called San Miniotto on a different side of Florence; the church is in Florence proper & you can get there by bus. <BR> <BR>Boboli Gardens, Pitti Palace, Uffizi, Accademia, Michaelanglo's house are all pretty great. (I even found the Miseracordia very peaceful, it's quite close to the Ponte Vecchio.) <BR> <BR>The code word is...gelato. It's oft-mentioned & much-missed when folks leave Italy, 'cause I don't care what you say, there's nothing like it outside "The Boot". <BR> <BR>Speaking of eating, try Il Cavallino, a restaurant at 4 r via Farine. (You can go casual if you like. Good food, great prices, wonderful service.) If you want to dress up a little try Da Noi, at 46 r via Fiesolana. It's small (think "intimate") so you may require a reservation there. <BR>Buon Viaggio, <BR>BC

mike

David is a must see. After that, well, I like a quiet afternoon in Boboli Gardens, and the Pitti Palace is (IMO) better than the Uffizi and not very crowded. After a day at the Pitti/Boboli, a nice stroll is to wind through the neighborhoods in the Oltrano, many excellent (and inexpensive) rist. in that area. Then at dusk join everyone else in a walk along the river as the lights twinkle on and guide you home. A pleasant way to enjoy life and experience Florence. Mike.

Anita

First trip and only 3 days? Don't leave the city -- you'll barely have time as it is. If the weather's OK (and assuming it's open in November), lunch at the Koffeehaus in Boboli Gardens. Great view of Florence. Other great views from the Belvedere, Piazza Michelangelo and the top of the Duomo. If you want to be indoors, go to Santa Croce Church to see tombs of/monuments to an amazing number of famous Florentines. While there, go next door to the museum and see Taddeo Gaddi's "Last Supper" which is older (and in better shape) than daVinci's in Milan and is thought to be the "blueprint" for all Last Suppers. Also there is a crucifix by Cimabue which became the symbol for Florence's survival of/recovery from the great flood in the 1960s. In the museum's garden is a small monument to Florence Nightingale who was born in Florence.

JxF

- <BR>Poster above have identified good sites for your visit. No more new suggestions --- rather a second on a 'must do'. Gelato at Vivoli's !!!Located on Via Della Stinche, a small street not too far from San Croce Church (well worth a visit).

John

Peggy, <BR>I am going back next week for my third time to Florence, one of the best places I have ever been. <BR> <BR>So, you've read the things to see and do, here are a few suggestions: <BR> <BR>Make reservations to see David and the Uffizi - phone number from the US is 011 39 055 294 883. <BR> <BR>Go to the Pizzale Michelangelo (on a hill just outside Florence) just before sunset for one of the best views of Florence. <BR> <BR>Don't buy in the shops on the Ponte Vecchio, go to the Mercato San Lorenzo for bargins. <BR> <BR>My most memorable meal EVER was at Il Vecciolino Ristorante, on Monte Morello, (moderately expensive) phone 055 44 81 694. <BR> <BR>And gelato. By far, it's the best ice cream in the world. <BR> <BR>Invest in the Knopf Guide to Florence before you go (lots of color pictures) and then decide what interests YOU most. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip. <BR>

John

Peggy, <BR>I just read in another posting that you can make reservations and buy tickets for several Museums in Florence online, including David and the Uffizi. <BR>www.weekendafirenze.com <BR> <BR>

damon salerno

Do not miss the sunset from Fort Belvedere. It might be the best view from the city because it seems to be the highest altitude in Florence. From here you'll see the city below, beautiful rolling Tuscan hills beyond and the river that runs west towards the setting sun. I can't remember the exact street routes, but find your way past the crowds at the Ponte Vecchio and head up a street to the left after the bridge. As you ascend the street, you'll get a variety of angles on which you can view the Duomo and the rest of the city. An interesting, yet brief walk. Belvedere will have it's crowds for the sunset, but you'll be able to find plenty of breathing room and relative privacy, as opposed to the Ponte Vecchio, where you might feel like you're shoulder-to-shoulder on a New York City subway. Enjoy the sunset with some solitude and quiet! Have fun!