Plus Florence City Guide for Your Pocket
Welcome to the latest funky info packed city guide for your pocket. Just print it off for when you are cruising past the sights of Florence. Afterwards you can pass it on to someone else, make an origami shape, keep it as a souvenir or recycle it in some other tree huggin' hippy
way.
LANGUAGE- ITALIAN
English is becoming more widely known but more among the younger generations and those trying to be trendy. It is useful to know a few numbers and short phrases to get you around. See our printable phrase guide to help you along.
CURRENCY- EURO €1EU =$1.19USD =£0.68GBP (02/06)
Cash machines or ATMs are called Bancomats. These accept all major credit cards and any with the PLUS or Maestro logos.
TIME- CENTRAL EUROPEAN TIME (GMT+1HR)
Daylight savings (+1) starts the last Sunday in March and ends(-1) the last Sunday in October. 24hr commonly used.
PHONE- AREA CODE 0039
Local phone boxes can take credit cards or you can buy international phone cards and 'Telefonica scheda' cards from a Tabacchi outlet ( they have the big 'T' sign).
| AMBULANCE | 118 |
| FIRE | 115 |
| POLICE | 112 |
| POLICE STATION | 055 4 97 71 | Via Zara 2 |
| MAIN TOURIST OFF. | 055 29 08 32 | Via Cavour 1r |
| FIRENZE MUSEI | 055 29 48 83 | ONLINE TICKETS |
| UFFIZI GALLERY | 055 238 86 51 | Piazza degli Uffizi 6 |
| GALLERIA DELL'ACCADEMIA | 055 238 86 09 | Via Ricasoli 60 |
| TOURIST MEDICAL SERVICE | 055 47 54 11 | Via Lorenzo il Magnifico, 59 |
Getting to and around Florence
Firenze Airport (Peretola)
The smaller of the two airports. Closer to the city at 5km but only takes internal Italian flights and a small number of European ones. Connections to the city are only by taxi or bus- Vola in Bus, every half hour 6am-11pm.
Pisa Airport (Galileo Gallilei)
A bigger domestic and international airport located on the coast, takes all the European budget airlines. City connections are by train (approx 1hr to Florence) , taxi or bus.
The majority of European trains arrive at and depart from Stazione Santa Maria Novella which is close to the centre of Florence.
The intercity SITA buses stop at their terminal in Via Santa Caterina da Siena on the western side of Piazza della Stazione.
Tickets are cheap at €1 for a single and must be validated in the yellow machines inside the bus. You must buy these from the Tabacci's and ticket machines as the drivers sell them for €1.50. The destinations are written on the front of the bus.
Cheap and environmentally friendly. Most of Florence's monuments are centrally located and within easy reach of each other. View Florence at your own pace.
There are a couple of companies renting scooters for those wishing to have their own 'Tuscan adventure' or anyone who thinks they can handle the traffic no problem. A cheap and thrilling way to get around. Wheeeee!
What to see in Florence.
Believe it or not there are three David's in Florence. The original, sculptured in 1501 by Michelangelo at the age of 26, was moved inside to the Accademia from Piazza Signoria in 1873 to prevent damage from the weather. However this did not stop one hot-headed visitor causing significant damage in 1991 when Piero Cannata chopped off David's left toe with a gemstone hammer. It was subsequently stuck back on and security tightened up. You can queue or book tickets online, or check out the copy standing in Piazza Signoria for free , or climb up the hill to Piazzale Michelangelo to see the bronze version. The Accademia is open every day except Monday, 08:15-18:50 with the last booking for 17:30.
Giotto, Fra Angelico, Lippi, Botticelli, Correggio, Da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo The list goes on and on. Perhaps the most famous art history museum in the world with a collection second only to that of the Vatican. Built between 1560-1580 the collections began with Giorgio Vasari, and were added to over the years by dukes and the Medici clan, more dukes and finally the Italian state. Closed on Mondays, the last bookings are taken up to 4.45pm. Needs a day on it's own to get round.
Construction began in 1296 of Florence's famous cathedral, with an adventurous design incorporating a dome whose size had not been attempted since the building of the Pantheon. One man rose to the challenge in 1418, Filippo Brunelleschi , who during the whole process managed to invent various new construction methods as well as take part in a war or two. The glorious neo-gothic façade was only recently completed during the 19th C. The interior is not to be missed either with incredible frescoes and Donatello's stained glass windows. Open 10am-5pm Monday to Saturday, 1pm-5pm Sunday and religious holidays. The cathedral entry is free but there is a charge to enter the Baptistry and the Cupola (Dome).
This is the museum of artworks used over the years on the Baptistry and pieces from inside the Cathedral. Artworks include pieces by Michelangelo , Donatello, and Lorenzo Ghiberti's famous original baptistry doors. Opening hours are 9am-6.50pm (April-October), 9am-6.20pm (November-March), closed Sunday's, New Years, Easter and Christmas.
More of the Medici clan's grand designs. These were designed by Tribolo between 1550-1558 and formed the basis for all European royal gardens from then on, including Versailles. A grand oasis in the city filled with landscaping, statues, fountains and open areas to take a relaxed stroll. It was opened to the public in 1776. Still open to the public today entry is through the Palazzo Pitti, usually from 9am, there is a charge, and closes one hour before sunset.
This magnificent palace, another Brunelleschi masterpiece, was bought unfinished by the Medici family in 1550 when they felt the need to move from the more defensive looking Palazzo Vecchio. They enlarged the already extensive building and developed the gardens behind. The residential rooms of the ducal family have now been transformed into highly regarded art galleries , including collections of silver, modern art, porcelain and costumes. The galleries all have their own opening times but generally are open from 8:15am until 13:50pm except the Palatine, Museo degli Argenti and the Porcelain which close at 19:30 during the summer. Entry fees vary but there are some multiple passes available.
What to eat in Florence
Enjoy authentic Tuscan fare in this historic hillside restaurant just over the road from Plus Camping Michelangelo. Great value meals from a tasty menu with a range of options, from traditional dishes to the staples of pizza and pasta. Take your camping pass with you as all Plus guests receive a 10% discount off their meal bill.
Most pizzerias offer pizzas by the slice, you just tell them how big and if you want it 'caldo' or heated up. You pay per weight and a reasonable sized slice should be between 1 and 3 euros.
How do they make this stuff taste soooo good? It is mandatory to have at least one gelato a day while staying in Italy. The locals have voted with their feet and make their way to Gelateria Vivoli in Via dell'Isola delle Stinche, queuing out the door for Florence's finest ice-cream.
Most Italians spend a lot longer on eating dinner than they do with their lightning quick breakfast, hence the long menu. A primo piatti is the first course, usually smaller than a main but bigger than an appetiser. The secondo is the main dish and usually comes without vegetables which have to be ordered as a separate 'contorni'. Unless you are really hungry and go for all courses you can mix and match a starter with a primo or secondo, or just have the main and then head straight for dessert.
This is a very common question. There will probably be a cover charge, this is for the table cloth 'covering' the table and cutlery or a 'service' charge for the service provided by the staff, check on the menu or with your waiter if this included or not. If it isn't then the amount will be between 12 and 15% of the total bill. In this case it isn't necessary to tip as the locals are notoriously bad tippers and just pay the service charge. Or just leave the change if it's a couple of euros and the service has been good.
Paying can be a confusing experience. If you are wanting just a coffee or Panini from a café you have two choices. One- look at what's on offer in the display case, find a table and sit down to wait for the waiter and tell him, at the end just ask him for the 'conto' or the bill. Two- check out the display case, make your way to the 'cassa', pay for your choices and then take the receipt over to the serving counter. It's all about the Italian tax system, but in some ways it makes sense that the food servers are not spending time working out change etc.
If you've had your fill of culture and history in the day then it's time to let loose! The central area in and around the Duomo offers a range of bars and nightclubs. Entry fees vary as well as the specials on drinks and cocktails. The variety is truly Italian with popular music styles, live music and the latest dance tunes. Either stage your own mini pub crawl or signup for an organised one to really get funky with it.
-WILDLIFE AREAS
Red Garter House, Cabiria and Capocaccia.
Things to do for free in Florence
This was the site for an execution of a priest by the name of Savonarola in 1498, who had been making disparaging comments about the Catholic Church and claiming he had visions. Today you can join the crowds to admire the classical statues (and David) on display around the Palazzo Vecchio and under the loggia For the detectives among you try to find the face carved onto the wall of the Palazzo Vecchio, legend tells it that Michelangelo was trying to prove a point by carving it with his hands behind his back.
One of the three bridges in the world occupied by shops, and Florence's oldest Spared destruction from the Germans in WWII because of its age, it has also withstood floods and tourists. The dazzling goldsmith shops you see today are a far cry from the stinking noisy butchers and black smiths that originally occupied it. Above the shops is a hidden walkway linking the Palazzo Pitti to the Uffizi once allowing the Medici's to avoid roughing it with the locals.
A lesser known or visited church is Chiesa di San Miniato al Monte , sitting up on the hill overlooking the town. This building is the finest example of Romanesque design in Florence and inside is worth a look with its 13th and 15th C frescoes.
Some internet cafes now have broadband but most don't. You can expect to pay up to €4 per hour for usage. Here are some useful websites during your stay.
These places have the bigwave broadband access:
Florence is famous also for its markets. Try out your haggling skills and you may find a bargain.
San Lorenzo Market - Piazza S. Lorenzo, Via dell'Ariento.
Clothing, articles in leather, souvenirs, etc. Closed on Sundays and Mondays. Open every first Sunday of the month.
Flea Market - Piazza dei Ciompi
Furniture and objects from the past, prints, coins, jewellery. The stalls keep to shop opening hours. Open all day on the last Sunday of every month.
Sant'Ambrogio - Piazza Ghiberti
Foodstuffs, fruit, vegetables, flowers, clothing and footwear. Open weekday mornings only.
Straw Market (Porcellino) - Via Por Santa Maria
Articles in Florentine straw, hand embroidery, leather goods, objects in wood, flowers. Open from 8am to 7pm: closed on Sundays and Monday mornings.
Cascine Market - Parco delle Cascine.
Clothing, leather goods, footwear, fruit, vegetables, flowers, household goods. Tuesday mornings only.
These won't make you into an SAS commander but they may help avoid some difficulties as you travel around.