My two friends and I have rented an apartment in Florence. We have not been in Florence for thirty years. I would appreciate an unique experiences or suggestions, besides the normal tourist attactions? Any recommendations on side trips and restaurants?
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
9709 posts
Start here At a Glance
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/florence
Also look thru the towns nearby-Siena, Pisa, Lucca, Tuscan hilltowns etc
https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy
Posted by
Saint Paul, Minnesota
2338 posts
See these ideas: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/favorites-in-florence
Also, now I'd add to these to read up on the '66 flood and to seek out the many flood markers. I particularly enjoyed reading Diary of Florence in Flood by Kathrine Taylor and watching youtube videos of the flood.
Oh, and I thought I would hate the natural history museum, but actually I loved it. I didn't look at the anatomical models, though.
Posted by
Charleston & Birmingham
5438 posts
There was a restaurant in Fiesole where we ate in 1985 named Le Lancia that I think has reopened-it had a wonderful view of Florence. You should also consider doing a food tour-I think the one we did in 2019 was Walks of Italy
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
18459 posts
.... besides the normal tourist attractions?
It might help to know which attractions you saw 30 years ago? As well, what sorts of attractions do you enjoy, and what time of year will you be going? You don't mention how long you were in Florence last time so we don't know how much ground you covered previously. Help us out here?
There are attractions on many visitors' lists but that doesn't mean they're 'touristy'. There are many good reasons for people to flock to them.
Posted by
Chicago
223 posts
Restaurant recommendations:
Lunch:
I' Girone De' Ghiotti
Trattoria Mario
Mercato di S’Ambrogio
Alimentari Uffizi
Dinner:
Osteria del Cinghiale Bianco
Vini e Vecchi Sapori
Trattoria Za Za
I’Brindellone
Gelato:
La Strega Nocciola
Sbrino
Vivoli
Gelateria La Carraia
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you, the restaurants were a great help.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thirty years ago, I went to the usually tourist attractions, which I will go back to, ie: Uffizi, Academia, Ponte Vecchio. I am now looking for different type of places to see or eat. More unique, more authentic to Florence.
Posted by
New Jersey
172 posts
The Palazzo Vecchio Secret Passages tour is really interesting.
Piazzale Michelangelo is really beautiful at night, and you get a whole different perspective than you do in the day (and fewer people!).