Florence Travel

Hi jpalmquistiii -
What to see very much depends on what you're interested in. I'm an art and architecture geek with a thing for old Italian churches (although I'm not especially religious) so can recommend those I've seen all day long. Same with favorite art and some history museums, but if you don't care for any of that, it's of no help to you, right?

Do you have a guidebook for Italy/Florence, and have looked at what Florence has to offer? That's a great place to start. As well, if you can tell us more about yourselves, that might help us make appropriate suggestions. We didn't use human guides for Florence - our guidebooks were enough plus some additional research - but maybe someone who has can make a suggestion.

I highly recommend getting Ricks Italy guidebook. There's a good section on Florence with descriptions of the various sites. Have you had a look at the Florence pages in the Explore Europe subforum?

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/florence

It's hard to make recommendations without knowing what tickles your fancy. But you can't go wrong with any combination from that list. Just make sure you get your timed tickets well in advance for those sites that recommend ii. We've neve felt the need for a tour guide in Florence, preferring to go at our own pace and using the guide book and some of the audio guides.

Especially in summer, when it's so hot, we tend to limit our sightseeing to one place in the morning, one in mid to late afternoon, and something in the evening. (We call it our A list) That leaves plenty of time for a rest, ice coffee, or Gelato, and also spare time to do something spontaneous (from our B list).

What's on your "must see" list so far? That will help us to not mention what you already have planned. I seldom use guides except when on an RS tour. I like to wander on my own and spend extra time at exhibits if it suits my interests.

One site not often mentioned that I really enjoyed in September is the Medici Chapel, specifically the Michelangelo Drawings. Information is here https://www.tickitaly.com/page/product/738 BUT BUY TICKETS HERE https://webshop.b-ticket.com/webshop/webticket/timeslot?tsproduction=68 Tickets are very limited, short guided tour only with a couple people, to protect the fragile drawings.

I took a twilight Eating Europe food tour in Florence. But out of the six EE tours I've taken, it was my least favorite, mostly do to the guide. I'm sure other tours will be better.

I'll mention that I originally did not plan to go to the Uffizi, but someone on the forum (Roberto?) suggested I rethink that. I'm so glad I took his advice. I planned for two hours; four hours later I left.

After three weeks in Italy I was starting to tire of Italian food and wanted a plain ol' American-style hamburger. On my way to 1950 American Diner, I walked by Il Bovo. Great hamburger and fries. https://www.ilbovo.com/

Restaurant info - Florence

(My RS post from Nov/Dec 2021 stay)

Sharing some great eating spots, although, most have been fantastic so far on our three-week stay in Florence…
Tuscan dinner - Trattoria Armando - food, wine and service is excellent; you can find cheaper, but here’s a true case of getting what you pay for, and it’s not that much more in price. We are here in off season plus post-covid, so we didn’t have reservations, but I’d recommend making them. http://www.trattoria-armando.com/
For the delicious Italian dessert of Panne Cotta, try Trattoria Nella. I had caramel topping and my husband had chocolate. Both were tasty and creamy. The restaurant lunches at other tables looked fantastic and we hope to return yet for a meal. Address: Via delle Terme, 19r, 50123 Firenze
Another sweet treat we really enjoyed was the thick-as-mud hot chocolate at Rivoire. This one plucked from a dated RS pocket guide and a must. We enjoyed our cup standing at the counter, Italian-style! https://rivoire.it/en/
For brunch, breakfast, or lunch that’s unique with infused flavors, including Mexican and American, try Melaleuca Bakery. Along with thee best cinnamon roll, we truly enjoyed the carnitas tacos (house made tacos!) and andouille eggs with yummy red sauce in a sunny, very pleasant space tucked in along the Arno River, so it’s a beautiful walk to get there. They have many sweet treats and the wait staff is wonderful (they English well and I think that draws many English-speaking customers too). https://www.facebook.com/MelaleucaFirenze/
We have another week or so here, so will supplement this post as we find new stand-out spots to recommend. We’re loving Florence…oh, and the weather in November is great too. Ciao!

My husband and I had a wonderful late lunch this afternoon at Tattoria Nella (see original post) where the owner mingled amongst the locals’ tables chatting and laughing in Italian. We ordered off the “daily specials” menu written RS-style on a chalkboard after our friendly waiter interpreted each dish into English for us. The price was low/very reasonable, even though the ten or so tabled restaurant is on a side street in the main tourist area.

Also, we loved the “The Golden View” restaurant that overlooks the Ponte Vecchio. We reserved a table right next to the window affording us a magnificent and unbeatable view. The food was delicious too; I had the gnocchi and they were so pillow-y soft and delectable; as I ate them I kept thinking that these were the best I’ve ever had!

SUPPLEMENT TO MY EARLIER RECOMMENDATIONS
A must not miss is Trattoria Sostanza, a RS recommendation too. Their signature dishes include a chicken dish and the restaurant buzzed with fellow diners ordering and eating it. So my husband ordered it saying it was his best meal in Florence! The service was outstanding too in a homey, friendly manner which we like and the prices were unbelievably low. Their seating style is somewhat unique (at least this was only restaurant we found that did it this way) in that they have two seatings. Reservations are a must as it’s a small place but well worth the effort.

You can start by looking at the major tourist attractions in Florence right here on the RS website - open the At A Glance section and come up with a subset that you're interested in seeing - you can then come back for help to narrow it down:

https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/italy/florence

You asked for a guide recommendation. We have twice done private tours with Eleonora Catelani, www.florencearound.com. She is excellent. We did a walking tour with highlights of Florence, and Uffizi and Accademia on a different trip. Highly recommend her.