My friends and I are celebrating my special birthday in Florence. Flights and hotel are booked so we are now planning activities in the Florence area. The typical things will be readily available but we are looking for some funky, off-the-beaten track suggestions (within respectable limits)....local favorites,art galleries, shops,festivities, eateries, wineries, spas, ....anything like that. Please share your discoveries! Thanks.

At ira's wonderful suggestion, we took a city but (1 euro) from Florence up to Fiesole. The drive is wonderful in itself, but when you get up to Fiesole you'll get off the bus right in front of the Bar Blue. Go just before dusk and get a table on the terrace overlooking Florence. Order prosecco and fresh strawberries and watch the sun set as the lights come on in Florence below you.

It was one of our most memorable evenings in Florence. Thanks, ira!

seconding Fiesole - pleasant and off the beaten track. Depending on your age and interest, you may also find the American WW2 cemetery of interest. Obviously, if you haven't been to florence, you'll have to see David, Uffizi and Ponte Vecchio. For shoppping, go to Anna Leather shop - right by Pitti Palace (exceptional goods but be sure to go to the lower level and be prepared to be wow'd). Have drinks on the patio of the hotel lungarno; rub the boar's nose at the outdoor market (sure to return if you do!)

Glad it worked for you, hdm.

There are also Etruscan ruins in Fiesole.

Take a ten minute cab ride south of the city to Omero which is in the hills with a great view of the Tuscan countryside. Make sure to reserve.

http://www.ristoranteomero.it/

Wonderful ideas.....just what I was hoping for. Please keep them coming.
Thank you so much!!

Go to Omero for lunch--then walk down the hill back into central Florence, a pleasant walk that takes you past San Miniato al Monte and Piazzale Michelangelo.

How much is a lunch for two in Omero ?

Hi dem29910

Happy early birthday.

How long will you be in Florence? If you had the time and wanted to take a daytrip out of the city into the countryside, Luca Garappa at Hills and Roads (www.hillsandroads.com) was a wonderful private guide and a highlight of our journey.

To read more on that:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34758287

When you are near Santa Croce, do not miss "Leo's" for lunch or dinner. His restaurant address, phone, website is within the above trip report as well.

I am not sure my ideas are really off the beaten path, but there you are.


I love Florence so much, enjoy!

If you are at all interested in art, book the earliest possible entry to the Uffizi to beat the tourists, wander round at leisure, then have a lovely if somewhat expensive breakfast on the cafe terrarce.

Perfeto!

that should of course be terrace!

What a great thread. Can anyone comment on the prices of lunch and a cab to Omero from central Florence? We will be there in March. Also, does anyone know how to find out Omero's opening days/hours? I would like to know if they are open Sundays, and can't find the information on their website.

Grazie!
Liz

Bookmarking

Cannot offer you the exact hours, but I know they are open for both lunch and dinner so if you avoid odd hours you will be fine. Their website says: "Day of closure: Tuesday (helps to know some Italian, hehe), which I would assume means it is indeed open on Sundays.

We will be in Florence the last week in May and will be there for a week. We should have lots of time for the suggestions you've offered. I can hardly wait!!

Thanks UNCBB!!

Liz

For a special dinner I'd recommend La Giostra--you can check it out at www.ristoranteliagiostra.it
Tell "the prince" it's your birthday (or have someone in your group do so) and it wouldn't suprise me if he came up with some extra special, though the food there alone is special enough IMO!

Happy Birthday!--have a great trip!

My last time at Omero, we took a bus and then walked the rest of the way, so I can't offer cab rates. It was a Sunday lunch. Also, too long ago to tell you actual prices, but I would say that I remember it being moderately priced--not the most expensive, not the least expensive. Beautiful views across the hills to Florence.

My birthday is actually TOMORROW (20th) and on that date I'm sending invitations to 10 other friends to join me in Florence for that week in May. Your suggestions have really added to the anticipation of the "celebration." Thank you so much and keep adding things as you think of them. We probably can't do them all but we'll give it a valiant effort!! Thanks again.

What a wonderful idea - but which ten friends?

Have a great day,

Regards

Ann