Walking
by Marpessa
My favourite thing about Firenze? Just walking around. I would walk from my B&B on Via Guicciardini and up to Il Duomo. I would walk past the souvenir shops, delicious bakeries, go across the Ponte Vecchio and follow the main roads up to the Duomo. Along here there were many designer stores like Zara, Gucci, Prada. There are also restaurants, ice-cream parlous, piazzas (mmm...) and beautifully cobbled streets to explore.
I just liked walking around the city centre and had an absolutely great time here! I think watching the storm over Firenze from Piazzale Michelangelo was a highlight, and then later getting caught in the rain and running along the streets back to my B&B, as other people tried to hide under small shelters to keep dry. I guess I'm just one of those girls who (sometimes) likes getting caught in the rain :).
From April to September
by keeweechic
During May to September, the Florentine countryside is alive with festivals and rustic consecrations in the villages which follow the agricultural cycles. One of the most outstanding is the exhibition market of Chianti Classico Gallo Nero wine which is held at Greve in Chianti during the first half of September. The festival of knives and blacksmiths is held at the end of August in Scarperia.
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is held between April and June: It was inaugurated in 1933 and is the oldest Italian lyric-symphonic festival and one of the most prestigious.
Arezzo
by margaretvn
This is a really lovely city with some wonderful museums and lovely little streets. Much of the historical centre was destroyed during the Second World War - that meant that many of the Medieval buidling have had to be restored and some of the streets have been widened.
The highlight (for me) was deeing the wonderful fresco's by Piero della Francesca in the church of San Francesco. This church is on the Piazza San Francesco. The church is 13th century. The fresco cycle "The Legend of the True Cross" really is wonderful. The scenes describe the history of the Cross used to crucify Christ from a sprig to the Tree of Knowledge. It is wonderful, the colours so fresh and bright but take binoculars with you so you can see the little details. Take a walk through the city to the Piazza Grande, this has an arcade (1573) which was designed by Vasari.
Train Trip From Firenze to Rome!
by freddie18
Would you believe that we were in a queu for approximately 2 hours just to buy a train ticket for a trip from Firenze to Rome. We arrived at the Santa Maria de Nouvella Centrale Train Station a little after 9:00PM (after a whole day sightseeing) because we thought that it would be easier to purchase the train ticket an hour or so before they close the counter/s. We were very wrong! There were around 10 customers in the queu in front of us and a couple of customers have to be in the counter for barely 20 minutes. Unbelievable!!!!
Then, we had our turn. Gave specific ticket order and alas.....DONE in less than 5 minutes.
For 2 hours lining up, I did not see any incident that any of the counter people smile to their customers. They did not show that they like their job or at least they enjoy the job they are doing. Customer Service in question.....And mind you, our departure time was delayed for 30 minutes. Very inconvenient!
Just under the Palazzo Antinori
by pasqualeswife about Buca Lapi
This restaurant does local specialties superbly. The ambience, the food, the wine are all typical of Tuscany. The chef in this restaurant is author of a beautiful cookbook that includes many of the dishes on the menu. The Bistecca alla Fiorentina was spectacular. Also, the fried artichokes were the best I've ever had. Also recommended, the Tuscan white beans.
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Trattoria Antichi Cancelli in Florence
via dei Neri
Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy 1973
Florence, square next to Palazzo Vecchio
