Any city that can lay claim to a name like Birthplace of the Renaissance is going to be worth passing a little time in. The good news is that Florence Italy can reward you handsomely for the time you put in it. You might not arrive in Florence worrying in the least about art, but you’ll be upset to leave without at least appreciating what Florence (Firenze) has to offer.
What to Do in Florence Italy
If you like art – even a teeny tiny bit – you’ll love Florence. You’ll be capable to see a roomful of Botticellis at the Uffizi, Michelangelo’s masterpiece the David at the Accademia, and Donatello’s more ancient David (the one that inspired a young Michelangelo) at the Bargello. Be admonished that these museums are known for their long lines during the tourist peak season, so either reserve your ticket beforehand (online or by phone) or plan to rise up at the dawn to come in line. Otherwise you could be faced with a several-hour wait – which is a pretty distressing way to spend your vacation. Travel smart and you won’t finish up traveling disappointed.
The good news for people who either aren’t big art fans or who just can’t be bothered to stand in those lines is that the city of Florence has plenty more distractions. From its outdoor leather markets to its world class gelato to its colorful duomo to its beautiful river to its big public squares, Florence has it all. It can feel a little frenzied and miss some of that charm you were awaiting to find (it is Tuscany, in any case), but remember that even though Florence is a tourist must visit it’s also still a real Italian city where Italians live and work. If you can stick mainly to the pedestrian areas, you won’t be too shocked at the cars and scooters moving by.
Going To Florence Italy
The Amerigo Vespucci Airport (or Peretola Airport) is around Florence, and is far less usually used than the big airports in Rome and Milan. This can make it a great alternative, although it’s likely to be a bit more costly to fly in and out of. To get around this, you might search into flying into London or Paris first and then taking a flight on a low-cost airway into Florence. You can also compare airfare to Florence with airfare to other Italian cities likewise and see what makes the most sense. If you don’t fly directly into Florence, it is easily reachable by train or bus from just about anywhere else in Italy. You might want to check out getting an Italy Railpass as well if you program to travel mostly by train throughout Italy.
Where to Stay in Florence Italy
If you happen to be visiting Florence after a place like Rome, Venice or the Cinque Terre, it can be a shock to the system. But after you fall into the rhythm of Florence you’ll begin to feel the appeal of this city that Michelangelo once called home.
Florence is a big enough city that there are plenty of places to choose from, in all budget grades. From hostels to hotels, Florence has it all – verify around and you might even find a plenty on a budget hotel right in the center of Florence.
Hotels in Florence are frequently pretty expensive throughout the year and many are mostly in the center located, albeit a number of favorite cheaper Florence hotel alternatives are available. Accommodation in Florence during the high season quickly becomes fully reserved in the most popular hotels and it can be advisable to book at least some weeks ahead.
