Need some advice!
First time European traveler here on my honeymoon! Leaving for italy the day after christmas and we will be in florence for New Year's Eve and day (moving on to other things before and after those days). I need some recommendations on where to eat the evening of new years (I'd love to go somewhere great! I've heard the river is the place to be?) and things to do that may be open on jan 1.
Thanks!!
Niki
Posted by
11156 posts
We were in Rome, not Florence, on January 1 and hardly any places were open. We finally found pizza which was good enough but we had walked many miles before finding anywhere open.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23267 posts
Our experience is that New Years Eve and Day are celebrated very different than in the US. We were in Seville in Spain for New Years eve and day and everything was basically shut down. No big New Year eve parties as in common in the US. Our experience only relates to Spain but from the above comments may also be similar for Italy.
And you probably would get better responses if you posted your question in the Italy section under Qestination Q &A. This area is for reviews.
Posted by
52 posts
My husband and I spent most of November in Florence and I dedicated a post to my restaurant recommendations. So I refer you to it for what we found to be a great selection of restaurants (and we had dinner out every night!). We loved Florence way more than we thought we would btw. Enjoy!!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32746 posts
The thread referenced by drabant6 is https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy-reviews/florence-restaurants-recommendations-we-are-here-now-yippee
Posted by
Gig Harbor, Washington
35 posts
I was in Florence NYE 2018. I’m sure restrictions have changed the celebration. However here are my suggestions. Make dinner reservations as soon as possible. There are many places for a quick bite but you may want a special dinner so reservations will be needed. We ate at Il Borro Tuscan Bistro. The meal was exceptional. Several of the squares within the old city had special celebrations New Year’s Eve. There were different bands choral groups and performances. You could walk from square to square and enjoy the music or entertainment. There was a concert and firework display from Piazzale Michelangelo. I was on the banks of the Arno river and could see the firework show while watching all of the locals shoot off fireworks along the banks of the river. On New Years Day, I took a taxi up to Piazzale Michelangelo. It was a beautiful clear morning and a spectacular view. We walked around the hilltop and visited a monastery and then walked down a set of winding stairs back into Florence. On New Year’s afternoon everyone was out drinking hot mulled wine and visiting all the shops which were open. I hope you have a great visit and happy honeymoon.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
15807 posts
Sounds like Florence's mayor has cancelled all outdoor events until at least the end of January.
https://www.theflorentine.net/2021/12/23/new-covid-19-rules-december-2021/
https://www.wantedinrome.com/news/omicron-italian-cities-cancel-new-years-eve-parties.html