Florence Bound!
 

I leave for Florence the day after tomorrow! It has been no easy feat getting all my ducks in a row so that hubby and 2 kids survive, get where they need to go, etc. during my absence. In fact, it has been one catastrophe after another, demanding all of my time and attention, eating away my Italy funds, leaving no time for trip preparation. Tomorrow, I reclaim my time! I will pack my suitcase! I will print my boarding pass! I will buy snacks for the plane ride and sync my iPod!

And when I return, I will post a trip report. Thanks to you all for your guidance and recommendations. I am so excited!

Any last words, advice, suggestions?

Have a fabulous trip - it's a great time of year to visit Florence!

We managed to take a tour of the Vasari corridor, which needs some advance planning, but might be worth it if your taste lies in this area.

Lots to see at Santa Croce: the church itself, the Pazzi chapel, Brunelleschi's cloister, the museum.

I'm in two minds as to whether it's worth visiting the Accademia just to see Michelangelo's original David. If time is short, visit the Bargello instead - much more of interest there. But watch for closures on some Sundays and Mondays.

Besides all the obvious places of cultural significance to see, we thought that the Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was worth a visit, also the indoor market (Mercato Centrale). Both fantastic for window (or real) shopping.
http://www.smnovella.com/en/home.asp?idc=286.

We very much liked the Gelato at Grom, even though it is a multi-branch business - it seemes like the real deal.

<I'm in two minds as to whether it's worth visiting the Accademia just to see Michelangelo's original David. If time is short, visit the Bargello instead - much more of interest there. But watch for closures on some Sundays and Mondays.>

The Bargello is one of my favorite museums in Florence and I second this recommendation if you are a sculpture fan. That being said, it takes us well under an hour to see David since we book our entry time in advance and the museum is so small. I have seen it many times and it never ceases to stop me in my tracks.

I have been before to all of these places, but my friend has not, so I'll let her choose.

I just found out that the apartment has ethernet, NOT wi-fi! Now I have to search out free wi-fi in Florence. And I leave in 2 hours. Yikes!

auto - I read that the Vasari Corridor was closed right now. I was dying to see it! Do you know if that's true?

The Vasari corridor is open for visits for a briefs period right now until April 15. However, the official site notes that all bookings for the period are full. Here's the official site to watch for news:

http://www.polomuseale.firenze.it/en...o/Default.asp?

Look11:
we toured the Vasari corridor on Tuesday last week (22 Feb) having made a reservation a few weeks earlier. This was through Viator, and 25 people were on the tour. Might be worth checking them out online, or maybe better still the local tour company involved (Florencetown - tel +39 055 0123994)

If you have time, check on the Palazzo Medici-Riccardi with its beautiful chapel which has a recently restored fresco, "The Procession of the Magi". Well worth the time.

And definitely take the time to visit the Accademia to see the David - always breathtaking.

A FABULOUS trip! I will post a detailed trip report as soon as I can get my 3-year-old to give me 20 minutes alone ;-)

Glad to hear it. Please post when you can.

I live in Florence for 4 months every year, and the most important thing have good walking shoes as the pavements are all cobble stones and have seen many a girl fall + a bag that goes over the shoulder that it leaves your hands free . Very easy to get round on public transport just have the correct change. A good money changer is near the Ufizi gallery. The markets are great for Leather goods i can always get them to come down but do your homework on what you want and check out a few stalls to compare prices. I always wear jeans and t-shirts that way you blend in dont look like a tourist and read a map on a corner. The other thing never give money to anyone who is asking thats when your more than likely to get robbed have a great trip i leave again in september