raincitygirl

That looks very nice Wo. Good find.
You can walk to the Sant'Ambrogio market from there. (half a mile) Lots of lovely foodstuffs there and it's a bit more of a local market than the Mercato Centrale.

KTtravel

Don't forget to sample lots of gelato!

WoinParis

I am not a fan of gelato, so I took a slice of pizza instead. But ended up eating my daughter's gelato when she had enough.

I'mm make a TR when I'm back, but gosh how am I enjoying this trip !

Yes the apartment is great and is next door to a nice guy with a nice dog who owns a small supermarket. So this morning eggs for breakfast !

marvelousmouse

The Leonardo da vinci museum was one of my favorites on the trip.

The accademia only if you have a strong interest in seeing David or are specifically interested in Renaissance art. I'm not sorry I went. But otherwise it's relatively small and heavy on what I consider the "boring" religious art. I'm not sure what style I'm thinking of, but it's the kind I look at and think...yet another Madonna and child, let's move on. I love art museums but that wasn't one I'd return too- except for David and the musical instruments, because admittedly that was pretty interesting.

Anyway, boboli gardens and the attached museum would probably appeal to a family more. There's a lot of variety in terms of art, the views are cool, and the gardens are massive. The kids will definitely be exhausted after that.

annhig

WoinP - if you do find yourself in the area of San Ambrogio, and if you like gelato, there was a very nice little gelateria on the west side of the nearby square [just down from the Theatre I think] where you could still get 2 scoops for €2 or so. I mention that as while I was there, there was a big piece in the local paper about the cost of gelato, and in particular the fact that 2 german tourists had paid a massive €17 for one a few days before. ok it was a huge cone full of ice cream and many other things but still, it was only an ice cream.

Re the Boboli Gardens, I have to say that we were a little disappointed - we did not find them terribly exciting. The Gardino Barbini was much nicer.

WoinParis

Barbini and boboli are great. Too late if several weeks for the rhodos glycines and other azaleas but still great. Villa Harding has zero interest.

Bargello is splendid. Spent some time in front of David.

Duomo and cupola scheduled on Monday.

Fiesole still on the radar. Tomorrow ?


Thanks for advice I could look less stupid than usual and contribute to the planning ;-)

ellenem

I agree--the Boboli Gardens do not excite me. I visited many years ago n September and found them dusty and gravely and hot, more hedges than flowers.

I decided to give the Boboli Gardens another chance two years ago in May since so many write how much they enjoy them and it was a different season. I found them dusty and gravely and hot, more hedges than flowers. Pretty much underwhelmed as before and as annhig said.

The same day I visited the Bardini Gardens, which was actually sold as a joint ticket with the Boboli. The Bardini Gardens were what I had always hoped the Boboli would be. A variety of plantings and areas, some more foresty, water features, and other planting beds. Less wide avenues of the Bobol, a more intimate feeling. Striking views over Florence. My only warning: the Bardini is built into a steep hillside, so be ready to climb.

If they are still on the same ticket, you can decide and report back.

annhig

ellenem - my experience exactly, and at the same time of year. And don't forget the rose garden to the west of Piazzale Michelangelo - open from beg May to the end of July I think and absolutely stunning with great views over the city [and a pretty cool cafe nearby too]:

http://www.firenze.net/turismo/cm_de...d_categorie=25

Nelson

Yes, the Donatello David in the Bargello is fascinating, one of many Bargello pieces where one could spend a lot of time. Hopefully the OP has put the Bargello on their must-visit list.

Have you considered the a visit Convent of San Marco? It has numerous frescoes by Fra Angelico on teh walls of the monk's cells where he painted them.

Also a stunning collection of illustrated books on display in Cosimo de’ Medici's library.

http://www.museumsinflorence.com/mus...san_marco.html

WoinParis

Actually I was still in Bardini gardens when I posted about Boboli. Which are more like a park not gardens.

We visited 3-4 museums in Pitti Palazzo with rooms full of paintings. Palazzo was beautiful but I had an indigestion.

Something great is the Firenze card : 70 euros each allows one child per card and works great as a cut file. Great deal fir us.

We bought leather bags and jewelry at ponte vecchio.
Today uffizzi.

kja

@ WoinParis: While at the Uffizi, please give a nod to the Botticellis for me.

annhig

WoinP - would you recommend the Pitti Palace? - I've never been inside, though I've walked past it several times.

I second/third the suggestion of the Convent of San Marco; while you are in that area do have a look at the cafe on the corner of the square at the top of Via Cavour - the waitresses wear very snazzy uniforms! [or they did 10 years ago!] Very good place for a snack too.

I hope you have a good time at the Uffizi. Normally I think that the Firenze card is too expensive to be a good deal but with free entry for the children it probably works out ok. hope today is not spoilt by indigestion!

WoinParis

I liked Pitti. The rooms are beautiful and some paintings are great. Just too crammed for my liking.

However it is a side effect of the Firenze card. One you bought it nearly everything is 'free'.

Idid acknowledge Botticelli. My favorite is the annunciation - a big painting with pastel Colors.
Then I like the Caravaggio a lot. And some other things.

ssander

Ellenem...

Same opinion of the Boboli Gardens...dusty and gravely and hot, more hedges than flowers.

Not sure why a lot of tour books like them.

We've taken the bus up to Piazzelle Michelangelo, and it's always a great view. (Maybe not if it is foggy.)

We also like taking a bus to Siena for a day-trip. Forget the name of the bus company (SITA?), but the station was pretty much right next to the train station.

ssander

jan47ete

Spent a month in Florence and LOVED it. Biggest issue: opening and closing times, opening and closing days. I like to joke that some are open the first Saturday after the full moon unless it falls on a Sunday. So check it out and you may have your answer as to what to do.

WoinParis

Other sights :

church/basilic of San Lorenzo : bof. There is a Donatello 'chaire' - that is where the priest climbs to admonish his parochy that was actually hidden with panels of polycarbonate and you had to go through a turnstile and pay 1 € to see it - on top of the 6€ you pay to enter the church.
So we refused... we can all be stubborn in the family.

Santa novel (close to the trainstation) was great.

Medici chapel : bof. But we had a good meal in front of it - Famrmetto or something like that.

Did I mention Santa Croce ? I already forgot - too many churches, I know it would blurr. Lots of rescoers I guess.

And there is an old pharmacy turned into a perfumery etc selling all kind of things that smell to hordes of chinese tourists and quite a few french ones too. Also a nice tearoom where it was good to rest.

Daughter and I voted against Fiesole as it was 6 pm and returned to apartment where you just spent 1 good hour doing nothing - feet liked it.
Tonight another restuarant - we passed one along the Arno - Michelin recommended but we'll skip it we prefer nice small restaurants. Usually close to where we are when we are hungry - and forget recs or even TA we enter the ones that look appealing.

Tomorrow Duomo (we got a reservation for the Cuppolo with our Firenze card), we'll see.. and the museums around.