Florence Tourist Traps

Aside from it unlikely being his actual house, the "museum" is virtually empty and very small. All it really contains are some photographs of Florence , some assorted documents, and a few copies of the Divine Comedy, none of which are remarkable. The house is a bit interesting for the sake of the building's architecture, but this is just as well viewed from without.

Fun Alternatives: Dante's death mask is on display in Palazzo Vecchio.

Also, if you are really interested in early renaissance period homes and how they originally looked, Palazzo (Museo) Davanzati is very well done. It's been temporarily closed for two years, for restoration I believe. Check to see if it's opened when you come if this sort of museum interests you.

This busy shopping street filled with outdoor vendors is also lined with low end restaurants that extend outside into the street. Their tables are filled every day with unfortunate tourists who don't recognize that within 50 feet in any direction they could have found a better spot to eat. Perhaps it isn't until they sit down that they notice the terrible smell of sewage that emanates from the drains along the sidewalk! What's more, the street is unclean and is one of the most heavily trafficed by pedestrians.

Unique Suggestions: If you really want to eat here, take a seat inside.

I personally experienced the dishonesty of these people. They do apply lower rates than the official ones and along with that there's a 10 Euro commission. So you end up losing on both sides, the change and the commissions.
Here you find a list of their offices, all of them very central:

Via Calzaiuoli
Via dei Cerretani, 47/R
Via dei Panzani, 32/R
Piazza S. Giovanni, 6
Borgo S. Lorenzo

and if you complain afterwards, they will just tell you "conditions are shown, next time you go elsewhere".

The Duomo is a masterpiece in architecture. The variations of marble and the marvel of the dome construction is beyond words.

Despite this, I think the Duomo is over-valued compared to the long lines, the cost, and wasted time. If you're looking to get a beautiful view of Florence, go to Michelangelo's Terrace instead of paying money to go up the tower at the Duomo.

Instead of wasting time in line, go to Santa Croce where the crowds are less (see our Santa Croce tip for more info).

Don't get me wrong, I'm an art history buff (like you couldn't tell) and I love the Duomo... but I think tourists should avoid falling into the trap of wasting half a day at the Duomo (most of it waiting) when there are so many other worthy things to see and do in Florence.

Unique Suggestions: If you're going to do the Duomo, at least make a point of spending 1.5 - 2 days in Florence (or more if you plan on visiting more than 1 gallery). I certainly don't think you can do all of Florence and do the Duomo in a single day.

Fun Alternatives: Go to Micheangelo's Terrace instead of the Duomo to get a view of Florence.... and it's FREE!

Santa Croce is just as beautiful as the Duomo and is equally worth your time with less lines... and it's FREE too!

Gold is a hot item in Florence... some of the best jewelry is made here. Just becareful not to purchase anything that is of less value than gold from a street peddler.

Fun Alternatives: Stick to the shops along the beaten path.

Piazza della Repubblica is a central point of Florence. However, be aware that the cafes located there have some of the highest prices in Italy id you intend to sit down and be served in classic surly Florentine style. The other day I noted some of the prices for table service:

1. Cappuccino: 4.50 Euros (£ 3 or $5) - remember its only about 3 sips!

2. Hot Tea: 5.50 Euros (£ 3.75 or $ 6.60) at least they give you a little teapot - check to see if it is more than 1/2 full!

3. Soft Drink: from 7 - 9 Euros depending on size.

4. Water (1/2 litre) 4 Euros (£ 2.80 or $ 6.20)

5. Cocktail: 8 Euros (£ 5.50 or $ 9.75) - sometimes more!!!

This is not meant to knock Florence but the cafes in Piazza della Repubblica and Signoria are tourist traps with a captial T!

Unique Suggestions: Make sure your company, girlfriend, boyfriend are picking up the tab!

Don't order food, it is notoriously BAD.

Don't put up with crappy service, you are paying TOP Euro for the pleasure.

Stay as long as you want, don't EVER feel rushed, a 3.50 Euro espresso buys you a great vantage point for the afternoon.

Great place to park elderly relatives or travel companions who are sick of shopping and siteseeing.

Fun Alternatives: Lots of other little cafes on side streets, check out menu first - also see what their wares look like first, sometimes those pastries have been sitting there since the renaissance.

Florence is full of leather shops touting jackets, coats and pants made supposedly locally. (Actually most of the shops have sister-stores in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, but that is another story).

There is nothing wrong with the shops, the merchandise is generally better made and far less expensive then what people find in their home country. Especially, USA, Japan, Canada, UK, Ireland etc... However, read below:

Unique Suggestions: 1. If a guide takes you to a shop - they take a cut - up to 20% of whatever you spend -so you can always go back 'alone' and renegotiate on the special price they gave you.

2. If they say, I'll take 20% off, that generally means they want to be paid in cash - the 20% represents the VAT taxt they are saving by your cash purchase.

3. If you spend over 150 Euros and you are NOT a European Union resident and leaving the country you can get the tax back - so check to see that the store has the blue taxfree sign int he window.

4. If they raise the price because you are paying with a credit card, do like the song ans just walk away Rene. See if they come after you.

Fun Alternatives: This is not to suggest that the people who own and operate these shops are not decent. It is that so many people are into getting their commissions on top of commissions that it drives the price up. As I said the quality and selection is fantastic and the people who work in the shops are generally very friendly and entertaining and multilingual.

I have heard from the Japanese guides, that the commission gets paid back to the Tour Company and not to the guide.

The market of San Lorenzo is a great place for leather goods, crafts, clothing, shoes, etc. But, it has its drawbacks...

First of all, if you are female and you are breathing, you will not make it 10 feet without being called out to by the vendors. They will try to talk to you and then rope you into buying something, and they can be pushy! If you don't want to buy anything just walk by quickly and don't even glance at them or their merchandise.

If you do want to by something,I would suggest walking around and checking everything out before you buy. There are many stands selling the same things, at very different prices. Also, don't pay what they are asking. If someone won't knock down the price for you I am sure you can find the same thing a few stands over from someone who is willing to bargain!