Smart Guide Italy: Florence & Tuscany: Smart Guide Italy, #1
By Alexei Cohen
()
About this ebook
Smart Guide Italy: Florence & Tuscany is packed with advice and tips that will help newcomers and veteran travelers get the most from their visit to Italy's most famous region. Along with background information to all of Florence's major monuments readers will discover great places to eat, sleep and enjoy the dolce vita in the Tuscan capital.
Smart Guide Italy: Florence & Tuscany balances historical insights about Florence's major monuments with practical information about food, entertainment, accommodations and more. It was created to indulge the senses and help travelers see, smell, and taste Tuscany in unexpected ways whether you are headed for the Ponte Vecchio or Leaning Tower.
Smart Guide Features:
-Top attractions, rated according to importance.
-Historical and background information about each sight
-Full-color photos
-Maps of neighborhoods and towns
-Opening hours and contact information for each sight
-Tips for making your journey memorable
Smart Guide is the first independent travel publisher to offer digital guides to all of Italy's regions. Other titles in the Smart Guide series include:
Rome & Lazio
Milan & Lombardy
Venice & Veneto
Naples & Campania
Turin, Piedmont & Aosta Valley
Grand Tour: Rome, Florence, Venice & Naples
Alexei Cohen
I fell in love with Italy while watching the movie La Strada in the basement of my university library. Since then I have met and married an Italian, written and edited several guides and enjoyed a lot of pasta, wine and gelato. I live with my family on the outskirts of Rome and cultivate my passion for Italy a little more everyday. Moon Rome, Florence & Venice is my latest book and a result of months of exploration. I look forward to sharing what I have discovered and meeting travelers in Rome to swap stories over a cappuccino.
Read more from Alexei Cohen
Quintessential Quotes Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Altered Tales Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Smart Guide Italy
Titles in the series (27)
Smart Guide Italy: Florence & Tuscany: Smart Guide Italy, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Genova and Liguria: Smart Guide Italy, #8 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Rome & Lazio: Smart Guide Italy, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Venice & Veneto: Smart Guide Italy, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Milan & Lombardy: Smart Guide Italy, #2 Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Smart Guide Italy: Trentino-Alto Adige: Smart Guide Italy, #10 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy Northern Cities: Milan, Venice, Turin & Genova: Smart Guide Italy, #9 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Naples and Campania: Smart Guide Italy, #5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Turin, Piedmont and Aosta Valley: Smart Guide Italy, #7 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Grand Tour Rome, Florence, Venice and Naples: Smart Guide Italy, #6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Central Italy: Smart Guide Italy, #21 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Sicily: Smart Guide Italy, #17 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Northern Italy: Smart Guide Italy, #11 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Umbria: Smart Guide Italy, #12 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Smart Guide Italy: Basilicata & Calabria: Smart Guide Italy, #15 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Abruzzo & Molise: Smart Guide Italy, #14 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Le Marche: Smart Guide Italy, #13 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Sardinia: Smart Guide Italy, #18 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Central Italian Cities: Smart Guide Italy, #20 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Bologna & Emilia Romagna: Smart Guide Italy, #19 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Southern Italy: Smart Guide Italy, #22 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Italian Islands: Smart Guide Italy, #23 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Florence: Smart Guide Italy, #27 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Italy: Smart Guide Italy, #24 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Puglia Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Southern Cities: Smart Guide Italy, #25 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Rome Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related ebooks
Smart Guide Italy: Florence: Smart Guide Italy, #27 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFodor's Florence & Tuscany: with Assisi & the Best of Umbria Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInsight Guides Tuscany (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Rome Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Northern Italy: Smart Guide Italy, #11 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Genova and Liguria: Smart Guide Italy, #8 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrommer's Italy 2019 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Southern Italy: Smart Guide Italy, #22 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Central Italian Cities: Smart Guide Italy, #20 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsItaly Travel Guide: Top 40 Beautiful Places You Can't Miss!: Travel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Smart Guide Italy: Central Italy: Smart Guide Italy, #21 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLonely Planet Florence & Tuscany Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Frommer's Italy Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPocket Rough Guide Rome (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lonely Planet Pocket Florence Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrommer's EasyGuide to Florence and Tuscany Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Rome & Lazio: Smart Guide Italy, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrommer's Rome day by day Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrommer's Italy 2020 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInsight Guides Italy (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Sicily: Smart Guide Italy, #17 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy Northern Cities: Milan, Venice, Turin & Genova: Smart Guide Italy, #9 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInsight Guides Explore Sicily (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Lonely Planet Pocket Milan Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Turin, Piedmont and Aosta Valley: Smart Guide Italy, #7 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFodor's Bucket List Europe: From the Epic to the Eccentric, 500+ Ultimate Experiences Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInsight Guides Explore Nice & French Riviera (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Berlitz Pocket Guide Italy (Travel Guide eBook) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrommer's Venice day by day Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSmart Guide Italy: Grand Tour Rome, Florence, Venice and Naples: Smart Guide Italy, #6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Travel For You
The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Kon-Tiki Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/550 Great American Places: Essential Historic Sites Across the U.S. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Spotting Danger Before It Spots You: Build Situational Awareness To Stay Safe Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Travel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Lonely Planet The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country in the World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5RV Hacks: 400+ Ways to Make Life on the Road Easier, Safer, and More Fun! Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFodor's Bucket List USA: From the Epic to the Eccentric, 500+ Ultimate Experiences Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNotes from a Small Island Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fodor's Best Road Trips in the USA: 50 Epic Trips Across All 50 States Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Everything Travel Guide to Ireland: From Dublin to Galway and Cork to Donegal - a complete guide to the Emerald Isle Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFodor's New Orleans Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Spanish Verbs - Conjugations Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStar Wars: Galaxy's Edge: Traveler's Guide to Batuu Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Disney Declassified Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Camp Cooking: 100 Years Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fodor’s Alaska Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fodor's Bucket List Europe: From the Epic to the Eccentric, 500+ Ultimate Experiences Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West: with the Best Scenic Road Trips Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAn Atlas of Countries That Don't Exist: A Compendium of Fifty Unrecognized and Largely Unnoticed States Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lonely Planet Puerto Rico Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Northeast Treasure Hunter's Gem & Mineral Guide (5th Edition): Where and How to Dig, Pan and Mine Your Own Gems and Minerals Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSouth: Shackleton's Endurance Expedition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lonely Planet Mexico Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5
Reviews for Smart Guide Italy
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Smart Guide Italy - Alexei Cohen
Smart Guide Italy: Florence
2014 edition
Published by:
Smart Guides
Via Antonio Schivardi 51
00144 Rome, Italy
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2014 Alexei Cohen
License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment. It may not be re-sold, given away, transmitted or reproduced without permission of the publisher. If you would like to share this book with another person please purchase an additional copy.
The authors of this book have strived to create the most accurate and up-to-date guide possible. That doesn’t mean we’re perfect. Some details such as opening hours, prices and telephone numbers may change. If you come across such a discrepancy or would like to share your travel experiences write to us at smartguide or visit www.smartguideitaly.com.
Contents
Preface
Introducing Florence
Quickfacts
What’s New?
Planning
When to go | What to bring | Climate | Etiquette
Practicalities
Using this guide | Hours | Prices | Saving | Safety
What’s Happening?
Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter
Travelers Beware
A Brief History
Experiencing Florence
Sightseeing Strategies
Before | After arriving
Navigating the City
Going Local
What to say | What to taste
Top Stops
Itinerary
Exploring Florence
Neighborhoods
Santa Maria Novella
San Giovanni
Santa Croce
Santo Spirito
Living Florence
Live Music
Night Clubs
Wine Bars
Theater
Cinema
Galleries
Sport
Shopping
Beyond Florence
La Petraia
Villa Gamberaia
Fiesole
Prato
Essentials
Getting to Florence
Getting Around
Information and Services
Bureaucracy
Eating
Accommodation
Shopping
Specific Needs
Health and Safety
Money Matters
Speaking
Resources
Background
Geography
Flora and Fauna
History
Government and Economy
People and Culture
Art and Architecture
About the Authors
Smart Guide Italy Titles
Suggestions and Corrections
Thanks
Preface
Dear Traveler,
Welcome to the 2014 edition of Smart Guide Italy: Florence. A new edition means two things: first of all we survived. There are many travel guide options these days but over 5,000 travelers from around the world chose Smart Guide and allowed our independent team of writers and researchers to continue doing what we love. The second thing a new edition means is that we’ve tried to improve everything.
We didn’t just want to fact check and update listings but to evolve the guide and do everything we could to improve your experience. For starters that meant adding maps and photographs of key destinations. It also meant reevaluating content and where it was presented. In this edition we have emphasized neighborhoods and positioned all relevant information about an area in the same place. We figured if you’re walking through San Giovanni you’ll want to know what to see as well as where to eat, drink and shop.
We’ve also added many internal links within the guide. That saves time and helps you discover the things you want to experience. We’ve also added new content on planning, practicalities and essential such as dining, getting around, services, kids, language, prices and background resources.
Those are just some the changes we hope will make your journey even more memorable.
Alexei Cohen
Series Editor
tmp_0edf1046b7b9e4bcfca7611934643743_cyQFhl_html_1fd306d2.jpgIntroducing Florence
Strolling along the streets of Florence is like taking a trip through time to a place where every building, every square and every fountain has a centuries-old story. For a while this was the center of the world, a place where new ideas were the currency of choice. During the golden age of the Renaissance artists, architects and aristocrats like Raffaello, Brunelleschi and the Medicis brought innovation to nearly every square inch of the city. Traces of their extraordinary creativity can be experienced everywhere. Although the historic center is relatively compact and manageable to explore on foot it quickly becomes evident that seeing and understanding it all is impossible. The risk is to rush and that would be a mistake for Florence’s art, history and especially her food and culture must be savored.
Of course you won’t be alone and it’s easy to get caught up in the tide of tourists. The city center is nearly always crowded and hearing English, German or French is as common as Italian. Don't let that discourage you. Florence is not just the Duomo and statue of David. There is no limit to what curious travelers can discover beyond the must-see landmarks. Perhaps the greatest discovery is the locals themselves. Florentines are more reserved than their southern cousins yet more willing to go out of their way to suggest the best osteria to sample a Florentine T-bone steak or point you towards the most relaxing park in town. They are friendly in their own particular way and without knowing them it's difficult to really understand their city.
Wherever your journey leads and whoever you meet in Florence it’s hard to go wrong and quite easy to go right.
Quick Facts: Florence
population: 365,800
foundation: 80 b.c.
symbol: iris
elevation: 50 m
gps: 43°47’N 11°15’E
currency: euro
dialing code: 05
time zone: GMT +1
What’s New?
Florence certainly have plenty of history but they are in no way stuck in the past and both the city and region have undergone quite a few changes in recent years. One of the biggest is political and regards the popular former mayor of Florence, Matteo Renzi, who has gone from governing Tuscany’s capital to running all of Italy. If you want to make conversation with locals just ask them what they think of Renzi (Che pensi di Renzi?). He’s responsible for many of the renovation projects around the city such as the pedestrianization of Piazza Santa Maria Novella and the construction of the T1 tram line that links the central train station (which was also refurbished) and neighborhoods to the east. There are new museums such as Museo del 900 which celebrates the 19th century and others that have been reopened after years of restoration like Museo Galileo. The city rose garden has also undergone a face lift and is open again to romantics and anyone searching for great views of the city. Cascine park along the Arno river has been cleaned up and the Parco della Musica and Stazione Leopolda have become the new cultural hubs of the city.
Prices of course have gone up for transportation and tickets to monuments but remain reasonable and the tourist office has created a convenient Firenze Card for travelers planning on visiting multiple sights. The number of new bars, boutiques and restaurants is too great to list but one of the most important culinary openings is the Eataly food emporium in Via de’ Martelli. The news for soccer fans is that Florence’s soccer team is competitive again and will be playing in the Europa League next season.
Planning
When to go
Tourism is a year-round reality in Italy that peaks in August and during the Christmas and Easter holidays. There is no single best time to visit and what period you choose depends on personal preferences regarding weather, costs, services, and elbow room. Spring and fall are pleasant in Florence and with the exception of Easter there are fewer tourists waiting in line while hotels charge mid-season rates.
Summer is by far the most popular time to visit and hotels take advantage of the demand to raise their rates. Airlines also charge higher fares so tickets should be purchased well in advance. Keep in mind that the majority of Italians go on vacation in August and over 70 percent decide to remain within Italy. Autumn is harvest time when sagre festivals celebrate the fruit and vegetables grown in the surrounding countryside. New vintages are bottled and wine flows freely. By September schools have started again and the beaches along the Tuscan coast are slowly and reluctantly abandoned.
Winter is filled with religious festivals but if you want a white Christmas Florence isn’t where you’ll find it. Carnival is low key in the capital and is a bigger deal in Viareggio where thousands of revelers unite to watch the parades and floats. February and March attract fewer tourists to the area so art lovers can enjoy the Uffizi galleries without feeling rushed. Accommodation is more affordable in winter and last-minute travelers will have no problem finding a room.
What to bring
The contents of your suitcase depends on the season and length of your stay. Beware of over packing and select comfortable clothes that can easily be mixed and matched. Layers are important in spring and fall when mornings are chilly and temperatures vary throughout the day. A suitcase with wheels will make it easier to get from airports and train stations to your hotel. Backpacks or handbags are good for storing items you’ll take on daily excursions and should have zippers to dissuade pickpockets. It’s probably best to leave expensive watches and jewelry at home and a money belt can be useful for storing necessary valuables and cash.
Some formal clothes may be useful if you plan on any fine dining or clubbing. Italians generally like to dress up and rarely let their fashion guard down. Flip-flops and sleeveless shirts are fine for the beach but are frowned upon inside churches. Knees and shoulders must be covered when entering religious buildings. Sunglasses are essential during the summer, especially if you’ll be doing any driving, and baseball hats are useful—even if they’re uncommon on Italian heads. A high-SPF sunscreen is vital as it gets very hot on the cobblestones.
You’ll probably do more walking in Italy than at home so bring at least two comfortable pairs of shoes. If you’re only traveling for a few days it may be useful to buy sample-size shampoo, toothpaste, and soap to keep weight down (they’ll also cause less damage if they accidentally open). If you forget something, you should have no problem finding it in Italy; pharmacies are especially useful for replacing lost toiletries or picking up aspirin. If you take medication make sure to bring enough and have a copy of your prescription in case you need a refill.
Most hotels provide hairdryers but if you’re staying in a bed and breakfast or hostel you may want to pack one. It should be adaptable to Italy’s 220 voltage. A European plug converter is useful for recharging MP3 players, digital cameras, and cellular phones. Adapters can be hard to find in Italy and airports are usually the best place to pick them up. If you’re taking photos the old-fashioned way, stock up on film before leaving as prices are higher in Italy. An extra memory card is useful for digital photographers planning on documenting the journey. Items like binoculars are helpful for observing the ceiling of Santa Maria Novella, church facades, and rooftop panoramas. Pack some pens if you plan on writing any postcards and a notebook for jotting down impressions of neighborhoods and ingredients from memorable lunches. Even if you aren’t an artist, try sketching the sights or making souvenir rubbings of any ruins you encounter.
You’ll need your passport and a driver’s license if you plan on renting a moped or car. An international license is not required but can avoid confusion for non-EU drivers if you’re pulled over. It costs $15 and is available from any AAA office in the United States. Making a copy of vital documents facilitates replacing them if they’re lost or stolen. You can also email yourself any important credit card codes or customer service numbers to report stolen cards. Most of all, don’t forget to pack your curiosity.
Climate
Not everyone has the opportunity to choose when they can travel but if you are flexible May and September are ideal months to visit. Not only are there fewer visitors but temperatures are warm, daylight is long and precipitation is low. If you must travel at a certain time make sure to plan accordingly. October and November for example although relatively mild are the rainiest months in Florence and you should prepare to spend more time indoors or have a good raincoat and waterproof shoes.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jun Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Min/
Max 2/10 3/12 6/16 8/18 11/23 15/27 18/32 18/31 15/27 11/21 5/15 3/11
Temp
C/F 36/50 37/54 43/61 46/64 52/73 59/81 64/90 64/88 59/81 52/70 41/59 37/52
Avg 70/2.8 70/2.8 70/2.8 80/3 80/3 60/2.4 40/1.6 50/2 70/2.8 100/4 110/4.3 80/3
Rainfall (mm/inches)
Sunlight 5 6 7 7 8 8 10 9 8 6 5 5
Hours
Etiquette
Most of the things considered rude in Europe and North America are also considered rude in Italy. One exception is lines, which rarely form any recognizable pattern and generally resemble a fumble recovery (or ruck if you prefer rugby). If you do not defend your place by saying scusi or coughing loudly you may be