Visit Florence Italy

Whenever I visit a city I always wonder which of all these hotels is thought to be the best in the entire city. For many in Florence Italy it happens to be the Pitti Palace Hotel which is just steps away from the action. It is definitely not for the budget conscious as staying in this hotel will cost you on average $240 per night at the time I am writing this. I do not know many who could afford that!

The reviews of the hotel were mixed with some saying that this place is a bit outdated! It is Italy for cripes sakes of course some of the rooms are going to seem a bit outdated. This place was built before America was founded so obviously it is old by American standards.

The chief attraction of this hotel for many is its location. You simply cannot find some hotels in this great of a location for such a low price. Although this hotel is rated as a three star hotel it does offer a restaurant so if you do not want to venture outside for the evening you can stay in and soak up the surrounding area.

Some have found that the best way to start the day is by using the sixth floor terrace to eat your breakfast. As the sun rises over the city of Florence you cannot help but be awed by the cities beauty and grandeur that still exists today.

Finding the best of anything is a very difficult task that I take great pride in and although some may not agree with my choices I do some considerable research before I make my decision. This hotel certainly has many of the qualities that would make this hotel suitable for a wide range of customers.

The nightlife in Florence is exciting. A young and vibrant crowd can fill the nightclubs and dance halls to the late hours of the evening. Here you will not find the pavement rolled up after the sun sets. Rather you may find yourself drawn into some of the best places to have a drink and dance late at night. However, unlike some of the other areas in Italy Florence is known for there somewhat steep cover charges which they call a minimum consumption charge.

Hopefully I have compiled a good enough list here to satisfy almost everyone who reads this. For you dancers out there the best place in town in called the Dolce Zuchero. This place plays mostly American and Italian hits from a live band of the evening. There really is no age range at this club so you do not have to worry about not fitting in.

Dolce Zuchero
Via dei Pandolfini 36-38
Tel: 055-247-7894

For those that want a varied evening there is no place better then Universale. This place serves pizza and other such food. From about 11pm onwards is when the fun really begins as a band takes the stage which pretty much marks the beginning of the evening. Later on a DJ comes up and that is when the dancing starts and lasts until around 3am which I guess might be considered early in some European countries.

Universale
Via Pisana 77
Tel: 055-221-122

For those that do not want to mingle with the college aged crowd you can visit one of the longest lasting discos in Florence called Pull up. The dancing at Pull up is much more restrained as the crowd is older.  What makes Pull up more of a draw to some is the theme evenings that occur during the week so it is recommended you call ahead so that you do not stand out too much.

Pull up
Via della Vigna Vecchia 25
Tel: 055-293-006

This should give a taste of what the nightlife is like in Florence. It is always best to ask the locals what they like the most and see what might be new that I am not aware of. The city does change somewhat over the years and sometimes even the newest places do not hit my radar until later.

The Ponte Vecchio or Old Bridge is the oldest bridge spanning the Arno river. This is mostly due to a affection that Hitler had during the second World War for the bridge. Since the dictator at the time thought the bridge was so beautiful it was spared as the Germans fled from the invading allies. But this only covers some of the more recent history of this landmark.

Built in 1345 by Taddeo Gaddi as a replacement for a previous bridge that was in the same area this bridge definitely has seen some history over the years. The Medici family used an upper passageway to cross the bridge in order not to mingle with the crowds. But the Medici probably did not also want to mingle in with the green grocers and butchers who occupied the bridge at the time. You see in earlier times the bridge was an outdoor food market and more then likely did not smell very well. So in response to this the city kicked out the food stalls and instead had the jewelers and goldsmiths of the day move in.

As you would imagine the Ponte Vecchio is still occupied by many jewelers and gold shops. However some small shops also sell magazines and some sell gelato. The range of prices in the shops is actually varied and you can find deals here if you are diligent enough. Also since the area is also known for its leather you can be sure to find at least some of it represented on this bridge as well. You can find better prices for leather though at the San Lorenzo leather market as that is its specialty.

Many tourists just take pictures of the bridge and do not spend a whole lot of time actually walking it from end to end. I would recommend at least window shopping as this can tell you the type of wealth that exists in the area. Besides it is just fun to see what others have made. Regardless it is well worth your time to check out this bridge on your visit to Florence and the best part is that it is free! At least if you do not buy anything!

The San Lorenzo leather market is perhaps one of the largest outdoor markets in Tuscany. As you can probably guess this is the place if you are on the lookout for some very high quality inexpensive leather goods made from the region. As a owner of a leather jacket that I purchased in Florence a couple of years back I can attest that the quality is second to none. I have two leather jackets one of them was purchased through an discount leather shop here in the United States and the other one was purchased in Florence and the one I wear the most is the one purchased n Florence.

The San Lorenzo market actually spans several streets. These streets are Piazza San Lorenzo, Via del Canto de’Nelli and Via dell’Ariento as well as some other side streets as well. As you might expect the prices are not really set, haggling is kind of required and certainly expected. While some shop owners will try to take you for all they can because you are a foreigner do not let them. If you run into problems with any merchant there are plenty more on the various streets that will most likely take your money. The point here is to never settle for the price stated.

It is just unwise. I know this from experience as I did not have time to haggle and really lost out on a great deal if I had not been so gullible. This outdoor market is famous for its leather goods, hence the name, but other wise merchants are also filling in the needs of the shoppers in the area. Here you will find lots of small shops selling anything from gelato to espresso to help the wary shoppers maintain their strength as they wander the streets.

This market has a similar vibe to that you would find in some of the neighboring Middle Eastern countries. It is certainly a unique experience for many Americans. One could almost equate this to an constant outdoor fair as you would find in many of the cities in the United States. Now as with most open air markets the opening hours are not really set in stone. For most of the tourist season of March through October the market will stay open from 8 in the morning to 8 in the evening but that is really depending upon how business is going.

The Galleria dell’Accademia or the Accademia Galleries is perhaps one of the most if not the most frequented art museum in the whole city of Florence. The reason for this is that this place contains the original marble statue of David carved by Michelangelo himself. Now even if you are not a fan of art I believe it should be required that you at least try and view this work in person just to say that you have done so at cocktail parties. At least you will have something to talk about.

Now assuming you can stand the swarms of tourists that arrive by the bus load to view this work there is far more to see then just the statue. For instance the hall leading up to the statue of David is the place where you will find four of his nonfiniti or unfinished sculptures of Slaves or Prisoners. These works epitomize the artists belief that his works are just waiting to be chiseled away from the excess stone that encases them.

Further down David’s wing you will see some of the paintings  by this great artist as well as many others that are said to be directly influenced by Michelangelo. For instance the painting of Venus and Cupid was supposedly drawn by the master then later painted by Pontormo . One important fact you need to keep in mind when visiting this art museum is that this was originally established as an art school in 1561 hence the name. So therefore you will see some of the works by the students of the great artists that were the teachers here.

Getting There
The address to this museum is:
Galleria dell’Accademia
Via Ricasoli, 60 Florence, 50122 Tuscany Italy
Tel: +39 55 238 8609

website 

Hours of operation
Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:50 p.m.
Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Closed Mondays

Since this is one of the most visited museums in the whole of Italy then it is a great idea to get reservations ahead of time. Be sure to go to the reservations entrance which is separate from the main entrance and ask to speak to the person from whom you made the reservation. That should make the task of getting in just a bit easier. Patience is very much required when visiting this site as the crowds can be a bit unbearable.

When visiting in Florence for any length of time it is necessary for many to know how to get the essentials such as laundry service, mail service where to find a doctor and the like. If you do not have friends that are from around that area then you are pretty much sunk. Fortunately I have done some research to make your stay in Florence just that much easier.

Laundry Service

For many budget travelers a washer and dryer will not be included in the small apartment that you are renting. This is understandable as the size of the apartment does not fit such luxuries as a washer and dryer. So then what are you supposed to do? Well there are several options. The first option is to find several of the coin operated Laundromats that still exist the city. You can find many of these shops under the name of OndaBlu which is the chain that runs them. However if you really want to save both time and money I would recommend you go down to the lavenderia which is a laundry service that will not only wash your clothes but also deliver them for you. The cheapest of the lavenderia are of course near the University (near the San Marco area) these shops only charge around 6 to 8 Euros for a full load of clothes. There is a very cheap and unmarked shop that offers the best deal around. For your dry cleaning needs you can find them at most lavenderia’s however you will spend a lot more money.

You can find the best deal on laundry here:
Via Alfani 44r
Tel: 055-247-9313

Mail Service

If you need to buy stamps you can do so at most tabacchi shops which as you can probably tell are shops that sell tobacco products. If you do not want to go into those shops I would
recommend stopping by the main post office which is off the southwest corner of the Piazza della Republica.

The address for the main post office is:
Via Pellicceria  3, 50103, Firenze

You can have mail delivered directly to the post office by having it sent to the following aaddress:
Insert Your Name Here
Fermo Posta Centrale
50103, Firenze, Italy

Which will deliver all mail to the central post office on the basis that they will hold it for you. You of course must show photo ID such as a driver’s license or passport in order to pick up your mail. A charge of 0.25 Euros will be charged for each piece so please keep this in mind and obviously the larger the package the more the post office will charge you to hold it. If however you own an AMEX or American Express card you can have your mail delivered for free at the local office. To do this simply address all packages to the following address:

Insert Your Name Here
Client Mail, American Express
Via Dante Alighferi 22r
50123 Firenze, Italia/Italy

So I guess if you have an AMEX card you really luck out here. If not however you do have a cost effective way of getting your mail.

Emergencies

For many emergencies it is best to call 115 now this number is for any or most medical
emergencies. If however you need to call the police or carabenieri at 112 they are the national police and generally are far more competent then some of the local branches. For automobile service emergencies then dial the ACI or Automobile Club of Italy at 116.

So there you have it some of the essentials when visiting Florence for any extended period of time. Actually many of these tips could help you out regardless of how long you are staying.

Florence is one of the largest cities in the region of Tuscany. When I even mention the name Tuscany many will think of the numerous vineyards that grow in that region. The region of Tuscany is world renowned for its production of outstanding and world class vintages that is prized by many collectors. So if you are going to visit the area then I believe it would be a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the native wines that are grown there.

With over one hundred and fifty thousand acres devoted to the production of wine I am sure you will find something to drink in this area. Tuscany alone produces 58 million gallons of wine per year making it the 4th most abundant wine producing region in Italy. The area is home to three dozen major and secondary varieties of wine half in white and the other half in red.

For the white grape variety you have the Sauvignon Blanc then the Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes. But those are only the internationally known and widely recognized whites. If you want a truly Italian white wine then look no further then the Vermentino and Vernaccia which seem to be mostly known to this region and not exported often.

For the red wines, my favorite by the way, you have the following varieties Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon and do not forget the ever so famous Sangiovese which is also grown in other locales notably California. The only red wine of that region that really stands on its own and is only grown in Italy is Canaiolo as it hits the palate in a much different manner that can only be experienced and not explained. You of course have the various Chianti’s that are grown and sold just about everywhere. While certainly worth purchasing if you enjoy red wines it just does not stand out anymore since it is so popular.

I can understand that many people do not have a huge amount of time to spend a month or more to absorb the spirit and essence of Florence. For these people whether they are tourists, backpackers or lovers on their honeymoon time is very limited. So then how do  you get the most out of your visit to Florence? Well you need to prioritize your time on places you are most interested in. So therefore a list of some of the most interesting sights in Florence would be advantageous. Fortunately I have spent some time to distill this city to its essence. While you may not be able to view all the sights you could spend some time just browsing the majority of these places in order to capture the history and background of the area.

On your visit to Florence you will be very sorry if you do not visit the Accademia galleries. This is the place to view Michelangelo’s most famous statue of David. This statue is featured in almost every television advertisement for visiting Italy and there is a reason for it as just about everyone who visits this country makes it a point to see it first hand.

You can not certainly miss viewing the Duomo or Cathedral of the city of Florence. It is by far one of the largest buildings in the city so you have no choice but to see it everywhere you go. However spend sometime inside this Cathedral as there are many works of art that is actually stored in the Museo dell’Duomo del Duomo or the Museum of Cathedral Works. In that museum you will find many statues by the likes of Michelangelo, Ghiberti, Donatello, and Brunelleschi to name just a few.

If you want to buy one of the best leather jackets you will ever find in the world then you should be sure to visit San Lorenzo outdoor leather market. I can attest to the quality as I bought a leather jacket here and I could not find anything like it here in the United States. By far one of the best jackets I have bought in Europe or anywhere else.

If you would like to limit your gallery viewing to just one sight then the best bet would be the Uffizi Galleries as there is a plethora of works by just about every known Renaissance artist known.  This museum is ranked as one of the world’s best due to its vast collection of works by the most notable of artists. If you are not aware of many of these artists you will get the most for your money if you just visit this place.

Perhaps soaking up the history of the city as viewed by the former rulers is your thing. If this is the case then be sure to check out Palazzo Pitti or Pitti Palace. This palace once contained the Royal apartments when Florence was once the capital of the unified Italy in the 1870’s. Certainly opulent all of the rooms were decorated by the artist Pietro da Cortona who is now one of the best baroque artists of our time. This palace also contains a main galleria called Galleria Palatina which contains some of the best known barogue works of art as well.

If you have not already tire d of viewing all the churches in Italy then you could perhaps muster up the strength to view Santa Maria Novella church which is known for the all the educational frescoes that line all of the church’s walls. At that time the best way to teach Biblical teachings was to show the parishioners vivid illustrations to make the teachings of the Bible come to life.

When I think of Florence I always think of the Ponte Vecchio or the Old Bridge that is lined with shops selling intricate works of Gold and other fine jewelry. This bridge was spared by the Nazi’s as they retreated as the person in charge at the time thought the bridge to be too beautiful to be destroyed. Many other bridges were not spared this same fate however.

To have a nice relaxing day strolling the Bargello Sculpture Gallery could be top on the list of things to do when you want to spend a lazy day just hanging out. This gallery is an great example of some of the best sculptures ever created and has many of the works by Michelangelo and Donatello.

You cannot avoid visiting Piazza della Signoria as it seems like all the roads draw you there. This piazza contains the cultural, social and political heart of the city. This has been the center of the city since the 14th century so obviously everyone of fame and infamy has been seen walking around this square. So what is your excuse then for not visiting it?

So there you have it! These are the top ten sights to see in Florence. You may have noticed that many of these sights are churches and museums. Well Italy has one of the richest histories in all of Europe and it would be a down right shame not to at least soak up a little bit of this history while here.

The city of Florence in Italy is in the heart of the Tuscany region of that country. For those that are familiar with that region you may know that this area is well known for it’s regional wine and food. For many that fact alone is the reason why they choose to visit this part of Italy. For others the interest is geared towards the classical arts and for this Florence is also the heart of the country. Here you will find many works of art from some of the most regarded artists of all time. I mean with names like Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni who was also known as Michelangelo are just some of the works that are commonly seen in this area.

If wine and art does not capture your fancy then the sheer beauty of the place will surely capture anyone’s heart. The rolling hills of green with medieval towns sprouting up like mushrooms on the landscape give the whole area a surreal appearance to many Americans and those not used to structures existing for longer than two hundred years.

Speaking of time this place is just dripping in history and archaeological treasures. For many armchair archaeologists out there you can live your dream by visiting an actual archaeological dig site in the area. If you connect with your local University there could very well be a program that will actually let you work on these sites as a supervised volunteer.

Many of the great writers have made Florence their home at one time or another so you could visit some of the very same places they once stayed. Who knows the writing bug may catch you and you could sit down and write the next best sonnet or play that could become a great success. Of course I am dreaming when I say this but you just never know with this place which makes the city just so appealing.

What ever your reason to visit this city I am sure if you give it time it will capture your heart and mind. There are many opportunities to stay for a relatively long period of time as you could stay as a student, artist or even a volunteer teacher. Regardless of your reason I am sure that if you do choose to leave the city will call you back sometime in your life.