We will be driving to Florence from our equitourismo near Volterra. Where do we park, and then what is the most efficient way to get around with this itinerary (in this order): Accademia, Mercato Centrale, Duomo, Uffizi, back to where I parked. I will have to navigate with 6 adults and 3 children.
Thanks!
Marisa
If you are staying in the city, your hotel will provide parking instructions and a pass to let you in the ZTL without getting a ticket.
Actually, if you are staying in the city, you need the hotel to register your license plate number with the local police so that you're authorized to drive in the ZTL of the hotel. There are no "passes" because there are no entry stations to check for passes. Just signs letting you know you're in a ZTL. If you're coming in for a day trip, park outside the town center.
It sounds to me like they are visiting Florence for the day, driving up from their agriturismo and then returning there at the end of the day. No Florence hotel to help them with the parking.
Hopefully someone can suggest something suitable, and outside the ZTL.
We found parking coming into Siena by just entering "parking" in the Blackberry; between tht and the P signs we found th efree lot. But it's better to have some idea where you are going in advance, especially since you want to be strategically located for your museum visits.
Do you have reservations for the Accademia and Uffizi yet, and if so, what time? That would help people assist you in planning your day.
Also, with kids, you'll need to build in a stop for lunch, even if just picking up foccacia or piadini on the run.
We are driving in for the day, from the stable/b&b where we're staying. I've not made museum reservations yet, because I wanted to hear any advice about logistics before I did so. Most likely we will do the Accademia in the morning, lunch in/around Mercato Centrale (I LOVE it there) then the Duomo and the Uffizi last (it was a bit of a toss up, do it early with fresh children, or later, with smaller crowds - hopefully-) no doubt either way we will be plying the children with gelatto :)
Thank you for taking the time to post,
Marisa
I think the itinerary sounds fine as long as you reserve at the museums.
As for getting around, all of that is in pretty easy walking distance, even with all those people. Florence's buses are pretty good but none of those are more than a few minutes' walking time to the next.
My biggest concern if I were you would be the ZTL as others have said. Research parking outside that area - I believe you can park up on Piazzale Michelangelo - which could be fun to be back up there at the end of the day especially if you make it up to San Miniato al Monte for the gregorian chants which ran about 5:30pm both times I was there (3 summers ago and last october) (sunset up there is mind-blowing in my very biased opinion :)). otherwise I would look for lots on the outskirts of the city where you can then take taxis or a bus into town. any expense incurred there will offset the near-certainty of a huge ticket were you to cross the ZTL accidentally.
Another option would be to drive to Poggibonsi and then take the train to Florence.
It looks like there's a train about every hour or so from around 06:00. Coming back is similar, last train leaves 23:00.
Travel time would be in the neighborhood of an hour driving and then around an hour to an hour 30 on the train.
You could park at the airport and then taxi into town, avoiding the ZTL altogether.
