Florence -- tell me your favorite favorite things there.

[Anonymous]

What was your highlight? A tiny restaurant in a back street, amazing gelato, seeing the David, visiting the gardens, Ponte Vecchio at dusk etc. etc.

Traveling there later this summer and would really love some tips. Have never been and want to do it right. We are sadly only there for three days!

[Anonymous]

YMMV, but don't waste time wandering the Uffizi looking at art. The whole city is one giant museum. Sit on a piazza with gelato or a glass of wine. Wander the back alleys.

If you're a foodie, wander through the Mercato Centrale and buy fresh fruit, meat, cheese and make your own picnic.

Enjoy! My one visit to Florence was a week in cooking school, including a gastronomic walking tour. divine.

[Anonymous]

I was there last summer - also for 3 days. I highly recommend a 2-3 hour tour of the Uffizi with Freya's Florence. We did the tour for families. It was a highlight. Also loved seeing the David. Get advance tickets (or maybe go on a visit with a tour guide from Freya's Florence if they can help you skip the line.)

I also love walking in the Boboli Gardens.

Regarding the duomo -- I liked climbing the bell tower more than the dome. It can be less crowded, and the view is amazing. The dome can be really claustrophobic. I've done in an April (so less crowded than the summer) and it was very tight. I can't imagine doing it in the summer heat. If you are into engineering/architecture and are determined to climb the dome, I recommend you check out that old National Geographic article about it.

If you are inclined to walk up to the Piazzale Michealangelo, I'd say go a little farther and go to the church of San Miniato. Lovely and much more peaceful place to watch the sunset.

Love the idea of a gastronomic walking tour. I'm into food but didn't find the food we found in Florence to be particularly special (we ate much better in Rome). We did go to Mercato Centrale and I didn't really find it to be that interesting.

Have fun! I LOVE Florence.

[Anonymous]

There's a stall in the Mercato Centrale called da Nerbone- best panini ever.

For bistecca alla fiorentina, go to Perseus, close to Piazza San Marco.

I love spending time at the Boboli Gardens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:YMMV, but don't waste time wandering the Uffizi looking at art. The whole city is one giant museum. Sit on a piazza with gelato or a glass of wine. Wander the back alleys.

If you're a foodie, wander through the Mercato Centrale and buy fresh fruit, meat, cheese and make your own picnic.

Enjoy! My one visit to Florence was a week in cooking school, including a gastronomic walking tour. divine.[/quote

Florence is indeed a living museum, and it's wonderful, but I would not consider wandering the Uffizi a waste of time! In my opinion, it's essential.

[Anonymous]

Hike up to San Miniato---the view is totally worth the effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:YMMV, but don't waste time wandering the Uffizi looking at art. The whole city is one giant museum. Sit on a piazza with gelato or a glass of wine. Wander the back alleys.

If you're a foodie, wander through the Mercato Centrale and buy fresh fruit, meat, cheese and make your own picnic.

Enjoy! My one visit to Florence was a week in cooking school, including a gastronomic walking tour. divine.[/quote

Florence is indeed a living museum, and it's wonderful, but I would not consider wandering the Uffizi a waste of time! In my opinion, it's essential.

I'm the PP, and admit I'm not a museum person. I have always preferred wandering city streets and engaging with the environment rather than wandering museums.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! This is great. Do you think we need to plan ahead where to eat so that we don't get tourist-trapped? Or will we be able to find a tasty and charming pizza-and-wine spot if we just wander around?

[Anonymous]

I really like the Museum of the History of Science. It's near Santa Croce. Many of Florence's most famous sons are buried in Santa Croce, including Galileo and Michelangelo.

The Medici Chapel is not to be missed. It's quite the stunning display of wealth and power.

If you are curious about how the Duomo came to be, Brunelleschi Dome is a very accessible book on that extraordinary feet or architecture and engineering.

The Bargello shouldn't be missed, particularly if you are interested in gothic and renaissance sculpture. The building alone is worth seeing.

[Anonymous]

I really like the Museum of the History of Science. It's near Santa Croce. Many of Florence's most famous sons are buried in Santa Croce, including Galileo and Michelangelo.

The Medici Chapel is not to be missed. It's quite the stunning display of wealth and power.

If you are curious about how the Duomo came to be, Brunelleschi Dome is a very accessible book on that extraordinary feet or architecture and engineering.

The Bargello shouldn't be missed, particularly if you are interested in gothic and renaissance sculpture. The building alone is worth seeing.

[Anonymous]

Ack, sorry for the double post!

[Anonymous]

OP, I haven't been there in years--but I remember terrific meals in moderate restaurants.

My advice--you do want to do the Uffizi--but make reservations as a prior poster said. Do NOT go and wait in line--you may not get in and you will waste time.

Certainly, see the Duomo and the David. But, do also allow time to wander, shop, and eat. Then, wander some more. To me, wandering is the best part.

I do recommend reading some books about Florence before you go. That always makes you understand the city more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! This is great. Do you think we need to plan ahead where to eat so that we don't get tourist-trapped? Or will we be able to find a tasty and charming pizza-and-wine spot if we just wander around?

There are a lot of tourist trap places right around the Duomo, so if you'll be there around a meal I would plan ahead.

Florence is a small city and it's really touristy, so it's fairly easy to navigate. The other side of the Arno river (Altrarno) is, overall less touristy and easier to wander into good food, in my experience.

For gelato, it's hard to go wrong at any of the gelaterias, really. You'll find lots of debate about the best ones, but I think it's hard to go wrong, even in the most touristy areas.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks everyone! This is great. Do you think we need to plan ahead where to eat so that we don't get tourist-trapped? Or will we be able to find a tasty and charming pizza-and-wine spot if we just wander around?

I would plan out where to eat where possible based on what you want to see and do. (Also, don't wander "back alleys." You'll get mugged.)

And, YES, go to the Uffizi:
http://www.uffizi.org/artworks/

Everyone should see Botticellis, Titans, Michaelangelos, and Raphaels, in person.

(The David is impressive, but if you were to skip something, that would be on my list.)

[Anonymous]

Day trip to Tuscany was my favorite.