| nkh |
Feb 10th, 2003 06:53 AM |
We went to Florence on our honeymoon and actually found that the quiet things were the most romantic and welcome after all of the wedding hype. The walk up to San Miniato was very nice - church is peaceful, view is beautiful but of course in the main tourist "scope".<BR><BR>A walk in the Boboli Gardens at dusk is hard to beat - tends to be very quiet, but remember it closes at sunset.<BR><BR>One wonderful slightly less common excursion we took was sort of mentioned by the previous poster (recommended by a friend of mine who is an archaeologist)<BR><BR>We visited the Mercato Centrale (food market where the locals shop - dont pick up the produce by the way!) and bought picnic food (fresh bread, prosciutto, bottle of chianti, tomatoes and cheese-remember cups, bottle opener and knife - swiss army knife is a wonderful thing!) and caught the bus to Fiesole, a small town in the hills above Florence.<BR><BR>They have the oldest still used Roman ampitheatre in Europe, and there are some wonderful ruins of Roman baths and a temple complex - all green and very few tourists (and this was in July!) We had our picnic under the olive trees by the bath ruins in the bright sunshine - beautiful views and weather, so quiet. We then went the small museum and walked up the (steep!) road to the town church - there is a magical view of Florence laid out at your feet. Also, we were there on a Saturday, and a wedding just finished at the church - nothing like seeing someone else getting married when the experience is so new to you to make you go all misty-eyed.......<BR><BR>A vineyard tour was very enjoyable, but tended to be a group tour.<BR><BR>There is a great restaurant called "Aqua al Duo" (or Due?) "water for two" where all dishes are for two people - busy and bustling but also romantic.<BR><BR>Just walking in the evening (9pm or later) in the dusk in Florence as everyone comes out to stroll and have gelato or watermelon etc. in the squares is wonderful.<BR><BR>I wouldnt worry too much about finding an "adventure" excursion, there is so much to do that it isnt necessary. This is speaking as someone who had a wonderful honeymoon in Florence without the balloon ride or similar...... book that for your first anniversary instead! :-)<BR><BR>Have a great trip - it is a wonderful place to have a honeymoon.<BR>Practical advice for visiting Florence: Get a good guide book (ours was Dorling Kindersley eyewitness travel guides Florence and Tuscany - includes info on Fiesole). Also, places like the Uffizi have long lines to get into BUT it is actually possible to book tickets in advance and so you can walk in and not waste 2 hours in line.
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