Is 6 nights too much in Florence?
Apr 5th, 2004, 04:20 AM
#1
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Is 6 nights too much in Florence?
I know, day trips! Siena, Pisa, then, ... ?
The proprietor wrote, "Yes, we do have the two extra nights which will make it 6 nights!!" Was he shocked? Do most tourists hurry through on the attractions? We thought about Venice, but we have been there and thought maybe a day trip and return. Would that be foolish? If double booking (an overnight in Venice) would you think that the proprietor would give us half price for the day, in Florence?
Do you think that hooking up with a tour guide in some of the museums is good, or just wing it on our own. I've found that self guided, earphone, tours are good but not for a huge museum. Please help us.
What would basic prices for a lunch and dinner cost?
Are city bus tours like "Get on, get off at several attractions", in Florence, --(can't think of the name of the company) good, and at what cost? Or the one day tours to Pisa and Siena, good? Also, do you think that the cost of museum is included in their stops?
I don't have time to find out much, working, getting ready for Easter, etc. We leave on April 12. PLEASE HELP!
The proprietor wrote, "Yes, we do have the two extra nights which will make it 6 nights!!" Was he shocked? Do most tourists hurry through on the attractions? We thought about Venice, but we have been there and thought maybe a day trip and return. Would that be foolish? If double booking (an overnight in Venice) would you think that the proprietor would give us half price for the day, in Florence?
Do you think that hooking up with a tour guide in some of the museums is good, or just wing it on our own. I've found that self guided, earphone, tours are good but not for a huge museum. Please help us.
What would basic prices for a lunch and dinner cost?
Are city bus tours like "Get on, get off at several attractions", in Florence, --(can't think of the name of the company) good, and at what cost? Or the one day tours to Pisa and Siena, good? Also, do you think that the cost of museum is included in their stops?
I don't have time to find out much, working, getting ready for Easter, etc. We leave on April 12. PLEASE HELP!
Apr 5th, 2004, 04:43 AM
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Hi Princess,
Calm down. Relax. Have a glass of Gallo white and a piece of toast with ketchup on it and pretend your are in Italy having a Pinot Grigio and bruschetta al a pomedoro.
Six nights is fine. You will not be bored.
I recommend an overnight in Venice.
Good idea to ask about a reduced rate at the hotel.
Bologna is a nice daytrip from Florence.
Prices (pp) for lunch - as low as 3E in a cafeteria. Sitting outside with a glass of wine about 12E.
Dinner: 8E for a pizza and glass of wine to about 40E for a full dinner.
There is no need to purchase tours to Pisa, Lucca, Siena, etc. There is cheap, regular service to these places and you only need a guidebook once you get there.
The museums are not huge (The Uffizi is only one floor). Audio guides are sufficient.
Enjoy your trip.
Calm down. Relax. Have a glass of Gallo white and a piece of toast with ketchup on it and pretend your are in Italy having a Pinot Grigio and bruschetta al a pomedoro.
Six nights is fine. You will not be bored.
I recommend an overnight in Venice.
Good idea to ask about a reduced rate at the hotel.
Bologna is a nice daytrip from Florence.
Prices (pp) for lunch - as low as 3E in a cafeteria. Sitting outside with a glass of wine about 12E.
Dinner: 8E for a pizza and glass of wine to about 40E for a full dinner.
There is no need to purchase tours to Pisa, Lucca, Siena, etc. There is cheap, regular service to these places and you only need a guidebook once you get there.
The museums are not huge (The Uffizi is only one floor). Audio guides are sufficient.
Enjoy your trip.
Apr 5th, 2004, 04:48 AM
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I hope this is a for real post. I'll answer it anyway. As far as I'm concerned, a lifetime in Florence isn't too much. Yes, you can take day trips to Lucca, Pisa, Siena, San Gim, Assisi, etc. You can take a half day trip to Fiesole, etc. You don't need to hurry through "attractions" (I prefer calling them historic sites) The Uffizi, Accademia, Bargello, etc. are not large museums. Piti Palace is large. Some people hire art historians to take them through museums. You can get lunch and dinner at any price you want. Stay out of the strip from the Duomo to the Ponte Vecchio and the prices will be better. So will the food. There is not traffic in the historic center. They don't have a hop on hop off bus. The historic center is a walking city. I would suggest reading up and searching the net (even this site) for information before you go. The more education you have the better time you will have.
Apr 5th, 2004, 02:33 PM
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Thank you, Ira and Ann, for commenting. You know, I didn't think of possibly overnighting Venice midweek, but that is a good idea.
I, as another poster wrote, had no luck in getting through to reserve at the two museums. How far in advance do we need to make the reservations? Are we too late to make it for next week on Wed. 14. Thanks again.
I, as another poster wrote, had no luck in getting through to reserve at the two museums. How far in advance do we need to make the reservations? Are we too late to make it for next week on Wed. 14. Thanks again.
Apr 5th, 2004, 02:42 PM
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Ask your hotel to make your museum reservations for you. Most are happy to do so.
Otherwise, try again to get through by phone, keeping in mind the time difference and the fact that they may shut the lines down all together for an hour and a half or so at lunch time.
Or if you are arriving on a Monday and want to go on Wed., you could even make them in person at the museum once you arrive.
Otherwise, try again to get through by phone, keeping in mind the time difference and the fact that they may shut the lines down all together for an hour and a half or so at lunch time.
Or if you are arriving on a Monday and want to go on Wed., you could even make them in person at the museum once you arrive.
Apr 5th, 2004, 03:14 PM
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Hi Princess
I enjoyed Florence very much, but found four nights there and two nights in Venice to be a great combination.
However, it is in a good location for superb daytrips. ira, did an extended stay last year that sounded very interesting. Perhaps you can look at what he did.
I enjoyed Florence very much, but found four nights there and two nights in Venice to be a great combination.
However, it is in a good location for superb daytrips. ira, did an extended stay last year that sounded very interesting. Perhaps you can look at what he did.
Apr 5th, 2004, 03:45 PM
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I agree...don't think you will be bored with 6 nights if you have any interest in art, architecture and history. I'd suggest reading some good books on the Florentine renaissance...and you will have a much better context for your visit...and more fun too. My two recommendations are "oldies but goodies"-- the novelization of Michelangelo's life " the Agony and the Ecstasy"-- great, fun read. And Cronen's "The Florentine Renaissance"-- a very readable, accessible history of the Medici family, with lots about the artists, poets and philosophers who shaped modern history from this small town in Tuscany. Or get Janson's History of Art from your local library...you just have to read the chapters about classical Greece and Rome to those on the renaissance. Then you will recognize the fine points of the pieces you see. ...
Have a great time in Florence!
Have a great time in Florence!
Apr 5th, 2004, 04:01 PM
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Tashak -
Just finished Ross King's "Brunelleschi's Dome" and am now reading "A Venetian Affiar" in preparation for my upcoming Italy trip.
I enjoyed "The Agony & the Ecstasy" in the past and am intrigued by your mention of Cronen's "The Florentine Renaissance," but am unable to find this title or author via a quick search on Amazon or other bookseller sites. Could you double-check the author spelling and title name? Or perhaps it has, sadly, gone out of print?
Just finished Ross King's "Brunelleschi's Dome" and am now reading "A Venetian Affiar" in preparation for my upcoming Italy trip.
I enjoyed "The Agony & the Ecstasy" in the past and am intrigued by your mention of Cronen's "The Florentine Renaissance," but am unable to find this title or author via a quick search on Amazon or other bookseller sites. Could you double-check the author spelling and title name? Or perhaps it has, sadly, gone out of print?
Apr 6th, 2004, 08:14 AM
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I was in Florence for 5 nights in November and did a half day trip to Pisa and a full day to Sienna. I would return to Sienna in a heart beat. I actually told someone on the tour that if I could speak Italian I'd retire there. It was BEAUTIFUL and this was in November. I easily saw all the major historic sites, museums, etc. in 3 1/2 days. Ira's report was extremely helpful. I took established tours but I was traveling alone, if I was with someone I think taking the trains to Pisa or Sienna would be the way to go. Have fun.....
Apr 6th, 2004, 09:10 AM
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As one poster mentioned, definitely contact your hotel. They don't mind doing things like making reservations for you. If they do, don't stay there. Also, I have never had a problem getting the reservations for the museums the day before and last year I got them the day of.
