Florence
 

Will be in Florence for six nights. <BR>Any suggestions on where to eat,specific galleries, interesting sights etc.

Eating in Florence: <BR>Near Palazzo Pitti - I 4 Leone <BR>There are very nice place to eat in the Piazza Santo Spirito, on the left hand side away from the church, near the street with tables outside. <BR>The "Cibreo" is excellent, there is the restaurant which is quite expensive but they have a smaller trattoria in the back. <BR>Near San Lorenzo, there is a fish restaraunt "Lobs" (off of via Nazionale)and Trattoria Guelfa on via Guelfa - both very good. <BR> <BR>Museums: <BR>Palazzo Vecchio, the original city hall and ducal palace, is great as it is one of the few places where you see art work in situ. <BR>The Bargello is quite good. <BR>Everyone goes to see Michelangelo's David at the Accademia but in my opinion, the long queue isn't worth it - especially since there are two great copies in the city. <BR> <BR>Other Sights: <BR>Boboli gardens. <BR>Walking up to Piazza Michelangelo and then to the Church of San Miniato behind it. <BR>Palazzo Medici has a beautiful 15th century fresco and they usually have an art exhibition on.

Hi Joann <BR>It's hard to know what to recommend, it depends on your interests and budget <BR>If you have any interest in my sightseeing notes on Florence, please email me. <BR>Florence is wonderful but I would definitely recommend at least a daytrip to see Siena and some of the Tuscan countryside.

you might check out fodors' hosted forum on tuscany, which i, er, happened to host a year ago... just browsing and saw your query!

I'm surprised no one has yet mentioned the best of all museums in Florence, the Uffizi! IMO, that should be at the top of your list. <BR>And, I'll disagree with a previous poster. The original David is worth seeing in the Accademia. To avoid the crowds, it probably best to go there first thing in the morning or late afternoon.

This is so typical of me-I am leaving tomorrow for Brugges and am supposed to be packing and getting organized.....so here I am on Fodors AGAIN!!!!! <BR>I just wanted to recommend you go back in the archives and look through the previous postings from everyone. They really are tremendously helpful!I would add the Il Latini restaurant for great food and fun(owner came out and gave us all a glass of white wine and cheese and crackers while we were waiting.AND <BR>the scientific museum(just around the corner from the Uffizi). No, it is not a sleeper museum. Its is a smaller museum that has everything from Galileo's telescopes to his preserved finger in a jar(my kids still think that that was the coolest?). There is the globe and original map room to the old medical instruments,etc.You could do it in an hour and it is quite fascinating with all the stuff they have from Galileo,Da Vinci,etc.Okay-back to packing...........Debbie

To avoid the lines you can buy your musuem tickets ahead of time..then just eneter at your resrvation time. We did it through hotel concierge for a small fee per ticket. WORTH IT

Firenze is my favorite city!! I highly recommend spending some time in the Oltrarno (on the other side of the Arno from the main city center), including a visit to the Palazzo Pitti and its gardens. Wander the neighborhood streets and take in the local color.... <BR> <BR>Further uphill on the same side of the river is the Piazza Michelangelo, with a beautiful view of the city, and San Minato al Monte, a church with beautiful frescos and an interesting graveyard. <BR> <BR>Daytrips to Lucca, Siena, and Orvieto are all worthwhile, but don't do all three and miss seeing Florence! <BR> <BR>(If you are interested in more specific suggestions, e-mail me directly and I'll look through my trip notes.) <BR> <BR>

Don't miss the David--Lines are worth it. (once I had just an hour or so in the city and I snuck in through the exit which is the gift shop,just to see it--don't tell!)Also ditto on piazza michelangelo--a view to behold!!

Florence and the surrounding area is wonderful. Photo opportunities there are outstanding. Please check out my Florence pictures and other Italy photos this month at www.CrazyAboutTravel.com <BR> <BR>-Dave-

Good evening, Joann <BR>Time to eat... <BR>Rist MAMA GINA, Borgo S. Jacopo, 37r <BR>$$$ resvn sugg. <BR>Trattoria CELESTINO, Pza S. Felicita, 4, <BR>$$$ resvn sugg. <BR>CANTINETTA ANTINORI, Palazzo Antinori, 3 <BR>$$$$ resvn a must <BR>Trattoria IL BARGELLO, Borgo die Greci, <BR>37 R $$$ resvn sugg. <BR>Osteria del Cinghiala Bianco, Borgo S. <BR>Jacopo, 43r $$$$ resvn a must. <BR>Have a good trip. Richard of La Grange <BR>Park, IL... <BR>

The David is a mustsee--absolutely incredible. Another must is gelato at Vivoli's. Robert & Elizabeth Browning's home is one of the less seen but nice museums.

Hi Joann, <BR> <BR>If you are short on time, I would not go to the Uffizi. Beautiful paintings, but when there are ten masterpieces on one wall, you can't really enjoy them. <BR> <BR>The Duomo is a must (you can't miss it anyway), and you have to see the Baptisterium. The mosaic on the ceiling is superb. <BR> <BR>Boboli gardens (Palazzo Pitti) are georgeous and so is the Piazzale Michelangelo: view over Florence, go there at sunset! San Miniato al Monte, nearby, is worth a visit. Quiet little church, away from the crowds. <BR> <BR>I enjoyed the David of Michelangelo. There are copies indeed, but the real one is better. <BR> <BR>I hope you enjoy your stay. <BR> <BR>

Again, I must politely disagree with a previously poster. Specifically, it's Astrid's comment, "If you are short on time I would not go to the Uffizi. Beautiful paintings, but when there are ten masterpieces on one wall, you can't really enjoy them." IMO, it's just opposite. The museum is truly a wealth of riches and not to be missed for that reason. To see, for example, those Botticellis all in one room is thrillng, to say the least!

P.S.: Another experience not to be missed in Florence: <BR>If you have the stamina, climb the 463 steps to the top of the Duomo. First, halfway up you get a closeup view of the magnificent mural inside the dome. Then, once you reach the top, you gain a wonderful panoramic view of the city. And, you feel a wonderful sense of accomplishment that you made it to the top!

there is a trick to seeing "David". Go 1st thing when the doors open and as soon as you get inside - head IMMEDIATELY for David. See anything else at leisure after you see david