The David statue by...
by sniem
The David statue by Michelangelo Buonarrotti. The statues original location was on Piazza della Signoria, it was removed from there to protect this marvelous piece of art. Actually the statue was badly damaged during riots when Michelangelo was still alive. Someone through stones out of one of the windows of the Palazzo Vecchio and one arm broke off, it was 'glued' on again by Michelangelo itself. You can still see the crack in the marble when you visit the original in the Academia. This is really a must, the copy is nice and you get a pretty nice impression of it but it can by far not be compared with the beauty of the original. I've been in there about 10 times and can never get enough of looking at it. If you want to avoid standing in line to get in, go after 6 p.m. then the big german, japaneese etc. groups are gone and you get in pretty fast. I miss just everything when I'm not in Florence. My friends, the food, the wine, the beautiful sculptures, paintings and buildings, shopping, going out, the weather..
..I could just keep on going with this list for ages.
A rowing club on the Arno
by Bigs
There is a rowing club right next to the Ponte Vecchio so you have a very scenic rowing location. But it´s a private club so no tourists will get a boat here.... Only a short distance on the Arno can be rowed, as there are two weirs after a few meters in each direction....Maybe that´s why they have such a rowing boat on the jetty!!!
San Lorenzo Food!
by Jmill42 about Mercato Centrale
Staying in the San Lorenzo area for my friends wedding meant that we were a short walk away from the Mercato Centrale. We made good use of this every morning! With meats, cheeses, croissants, and every other imaginable fresh produce, we ate well in the mornings. The food is cheap, fresh and served by lively individuals every morning. Not to be missed!! Fruit
Baked Goods
Meats
Anything really... Cheaper than in supermarkets, and much fresher!
Driving in Florence
by sunchasers
I wouldn't really recommend driving in Florence. There is parking on the Oltarno side right next to the river. Driving isn't so difficult, it's just high level of traffic and the signs that will cause problems. Signs are very small and as soon as you see a sign telling you to get into another lane, it's already too late. I'm just thankful that my driving experience in Florence was not on a weekday during peak traffic hours....I have a feeling I would have had problem then.
Touristy place but good food
by mpileggi about Antico Fattore
Delicious Crostini Toscana (liver pate nice and warm and creamy); veal scaloppini with porcini mushrooms in a gravy/sauce and parsley; fried battered zucchini flowers. Small bottle of white wine; bread. With my coupon from their Internet web site I received a cute small ceramic plate to hang on the wall at home in my kitchen, which has the restaurants name. I was also given a small bottle of red wine. This place was evenly mixed with Italians and tourists. Nice interior with block arches, old pictures, B/W, and drawings done in pencil. 31 Euros for my meal and wine.
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The Uffizi Gallery's courtyard
Another niche carving at Orsanmichele
An old market place still in use
Ponte Vecchio (Flore, Italy)
