Hi everyone! After frantic days of looking for charming accomodation (*by the way, still looking...feel free to advise on cheap b&b with view and central) I am looking for a storybook guide with a little bit of magic sprinkled on top.

What are your favorite passtimes and most secret places in Florence. For instance, where is the best gelato? Where do you go to see the most amazing sunset and where is the most romantic location in Florence? Tell me a story, or reminisce...share the magic of your trip. Looking also for "off the beaten path" recommendations...

Anyone vespa through tuscany?
Thanks!!!
molto grazie!!!
Patricia

Would be nice, as we have done before, to give phrases and poetic imaginings of your experiences...

for instance, if you were to distill all the wonderous images, sights, sounds, smells, and tastes in to a word(s)...what word or words would best represent the feeling of your magical time in Florence?

Thanks!
P

Golden haze floating like an ethereal mist over the river at sunset.

At PIAZZALE MICHELANGELO we sat on the wall overlooking the city and huddled together at sundown, the air was chilled and our breaths vaporized and brushed each other's faces as we spoke softly to each other about our future plans.

Hi PatriciaV2,

I'm not a good enough writer to convey my emotions poetically about "magical firenze". But, after 3 months spent i this city, it truly is special to me. It started from the moment I first laid eyes on una bella vista from Piazzale Michelangelo upon a beautiful sunset. The view with soft orange lighting that covered the city looked exactly like the postcard I bought later.

On my final Sunday in Firenze before going back to the US, I had the most magical day. Mind you, I was low on funds by then. But, I went to Casa Buonarotti where we met this animated young boy, about 5 or 6 years old, who was incredibly fascinated by the art that surrounded him. He came upon a sculpture and asked his mom if Michelangelo made that one too. His mom checked the nameplate and couldn't find a name, so she replied, "I don't know, honey." The little boy was unfazed and said, "Oh, maybe it was Michelangelo's neph-phu." (adorable!)

After Casa Buonarotti, we headed for the Christmas Market on Santa Croce where we ate chocolate-covered strawberry 'kabobs' among other treats. We were absolutely penniless by then--at least for the day--and on top of that, we didn't bring our ATM cards. Afterwards, we headed to the Palazzo Vecchio. Since we were penniless we couldn't go in. But, we wanted to see how far we could go and how much we could see without paying. So, we lined up, had our bags checked by security, and were in the courtyard area. We glanced at the ticket office, feeling defeated, then marched up towards the entrance where we found a nice-looking Italian man: the ticket collector. We lined up behind a couple who were handing over their tickets to the ticket collector. Then, it was our turn. By now, we thought we had our fill since we were content to at least have seen the beautiful grand hall while waiting in line. Then, we struck a conversation with ticket man, in our wobbly Italian. Sure enough, he asked for our ticket. We said that we didn't see the ticket office (liar, liar...tsk tsk) and asked where we could get tickets and whether we needed to have a scheduled viewing time (like the Borghese). He gracefully answered and we were ready to say "Grazie e Arrivederci" and leave. But, then he said, "Vai, vai...(you can enter) senza biglietto." We were stunned. We couldn't stop smiling as we said, "Grazie mille" many, many times. My legs were shaking as we walked into the great hall trying to concentrate at the the beautiful art all around us. We couldn't stop giggling like little kids. We finally composed ourselves and thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The museum was almost empty aside from the watchful eyes of the museum attendants. We even eavesdropped a little on a tour guide, speaking in Italian. He startled me a bit because he came out from one of the walls. I didn't realize that there were secret passages. From what I understood, servants used to use these secret passages to retrieve food from the kitchen to serve guests (of the Medici, possibly). There were also secret walls that contained a small space (as big as a small closet) that didn't lead anywhere. These were supposedly used for servants to hide and be out of sight until someone called for them. After eavesdropping, we walked around the palazzo some more then heard beautiful music floating into the palazzo. We walked towards the window and had a breathtaking view of the piazza on a beautiful Florentine evening.

Florence is one of my absolute favorite cities. I have so many wonderful memories of this city and every time I think of one, I feel this longing to be there again. I'm hoping to go back next year and revisit my favorite places like the Carabe gelateria (near the Accademia) as well as create new memories of this magical city.

Patricia, I haven't been to Florence -- yet, but we're going in October. I've booked (what I think looks charming) B&B -- Residenze Johlea & Johanna. We are actaully staying in their new residence - Antica Dimora Firenze. Hope this helps.

http://www.karenbrown.com/include/fr...so?RecID=10456

wow craisin! I can't believe you got into the palazzo vechio for free. The ticketer sounds like he was very nice! (I will look for the Carabe)!

SeaUrchin, that is beautiful! Can I ask where the Piazza Michelangelo is?

Thanks TC, just the kind of link I was looking for!

grazie!!!
Patricia
p.s any others want to share*~*~*~*~ shirley there are tons of magical things about Firenze!

It is on the south side of the Arno, we walked up a path then steps to the top where there is a church and a restaurant. The priests sing vespers in the evening in the chapel and the piazza has beautiful views. I found this picture for you for example:

http://www.pbase.com/image/31042089/medium

Hi P,

Take the no7 bus from the train station to Fiesole (20 min) and watch the sunset while sipping proseco on the terrace of the Bar Blue.

You can also see the Etruscan ruins and wander through the town.

Thanks SeaUrchin! I will definitely check out this picture. It sounds beautiful. Do the priests sing vespers every night?

Ira,
sounds lovely! Thanks so much for the great tip! Is Fiesole like a suburb? Is San Miniato nearby at all? (I was thinking about going here).

Thanks much!
Anyone else have any wonderful ideas?

Best gelato = Vivoli
Located near Santa Croce. Most residents can direct you.