Florence Travel Forum

Hi! I'm planning to rent a car in Siena and returning the car in Florence, after which I hope to be able to tour Florence briefly on foot then take the train to Rome within the day.

I plan to use Europcar rental, which has 4 branches in Florence: the airport, Novoli H24, Via Borgognissanti, and Via del Gelsomino. Which branch is most convenient for getting into town (do I need to take a bus)? Also, in case I have to skip touring Florence, which branch is nearest to the Florence train station (again, do I need a bus)?

Thanks in advance!

We are attending the MotoGP race at Mugello Circuit on June 1. We currently have hotel reservations in Florence and are trying to determine if it is feasible to take the train from Florence to Borgo San Lorenzo on race day (June 1). If yes, does anyone know if there is a shuttle bus running due to the event from the train station to the track and/or due to the traffic, would it be feasible to get a taxi from the station to the track. We would prefer not to have to walk 5km. Taking a taxi from Florence seemed expensive. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Has anyone stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Florence? How close is it to the city center? Are there good food options nearby? We're looking for good pizza in Florence.

We will be arriving at Florence airport at 11.30pm on Thursday 1 May evening. By the time we get our luggage I am sure the train/bus? will have stopped running. Is it easy to get a cab froom the airport to the city and does anyone know how much it should cost?
With thanks
J.

We are traveling to Italy From May 24 -June 4. We arrive and depart from Rome.
Since we arrive early Sunday, I was thinking
Sunday- Monday to Lucca
Tuesday-Thursday- Florence
Friday-Sunday Cinque de Terre
Monday-Tuesday Rome
What are your thoughts?
Any bike tours we could take?
What would be the cost of a guide for part of the time?
Hotel suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks,
EllyKelly

hi
i'd like to rent an apartment when we are between May 19 - 22. Anyone has any good suggestions?
Thanks

Hello

Can anyone tell me if we can get a train directly from Pisa Airport into St Maria Novello station in Florence. How long does it take and what is the apporx cost. Do we need to look for any particular signs to find the right train line. Thanks for any help

Hi there,

Can anyone tell me or give me a rough idea of how much to budget for eating out in Florence? As a rough guide for lunch just a sandwich/crepe from a cheap cafe or street vendor, and for dinner the cheapest kind of restaurant you can get, pizza places etc?

For instance backpackers going through Europe, how much would you budget for per day on food?

Thanks in advance,
Isabel :o)

Hi, I am thinking of going to stay with a friend around July 10th in Florence for a week, leaving from Toronto any suggestions for cheap flights? Sofar the norm seems around $1300-$1500 plus. Has anybody come across anything cheaper?
Thanks!

I'll be traveling to Florence in August ( I know, si will the rest of the world). I'm looking for a centrally located hotel that won't break the bank or be gross. Any suggestions?

We are in a small village called Acquasparta (near Todi) and would like to make a day trip to Florence. We do have a car but are reluctant to drive in Florence itself. We have considered bus (can't find schedules?) and train. Do any VT-ers have suggestions about the best way to get into the city and back to Acquasparta?

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to go to Florence next month and I would like to visit San Lorenzo market and Central market. I looked at 5 different travel guide books - 2 wrote San Lorenzo market is closed on Mondays, 3 wrote it's open. What's true? Is San Lorenzo market open on Mondays? And what about public holidays?

I didn't find any opening hours for Central market. So, is it open on Mondays?

Thanks for your help!

Best regards,

Kiki

I am headed to Florence for the first time and will be there for just about 3 whole days. I definitely want to spend some time in museums -but not overboard. Which ones should i not miss?

What else would you recommend for a short stay?

I am staying with a local -a friend- so i am counting on him to show me "off the beaten trail" things...but i would like some tourist must-sees.

Also, i will be there saturday -monday...i have read that some places are closed Sunday & Monday. Is this true? What should i plan to see on Saturday?

Hi everybody, I've asked a couple of questions in this forum regarding places to go and main things to do while in Florence, this being the first time I will visit. One thing I forgot to ask, though, is where can I reserve tickets for the main museums.

Thanks!

Rodrigo (MX)

OK I know its probably not the done thing to ask for a McDonalds - case of the old piggy bank - we're wrinklies and hope to have some fun - does anyone please know the address of the local McDonalds or other fast food restaurants where we can get a cheap mid day bite. All replies greatly appreciated - our kids have disowned us - but more realistically got bitten by the travel bug as well!

Is there a way to get to the Gucci outlet/outlet malls outside of Firenze from Siena?

Thanks.

Hello,
We are set to arrive in Pisa on Tuesday, at about 11:30. Unfortunately, while making our roundtrip bus reservation online (to Florence) I realized we were charged double for 2 separate round trips. I believe this occured because while on line, I changed our original time of departure before completing the payment. We e-mailed and called terravision but received no offer for crediting our paypal account. We even asked if we could please use the overpaid amount for use on terravision in london. They said it could only be used in Florence and within this year - of course we have no plans to come back, unfortunately, in the next year. Has anyone had any similar experience or any suggested action we could take? We are trying not to let this stress us, although it is disturbing. We are so happy to make this first trip to Florence.

Hello all. I was recently in Florence and while walking around with my group I noticed this really neat looking store that appeared to carry tights, pantyhose, etc. and it all looked very funky. I'm assuming it's a franchise since I saw more than one but I cannot remember the name! I know it started with a C. If anyone can help me out I would be so happy! Thank you!

Hi, we will be taking the train from Rome to Florence but then we need to rent a car for the 4 days that we will be in the Florence area. We want to go as cheap as we can put we need something big enough to hold the 2 of us plus our 2 big suitcases. Can anyone recommend a good car rental company? Or if anyone has any tips for driving around this area we'd appreciate it. Our accommodations are approx. 30 mins from Florence so we will be driving into the city during the day and also taking a day to drive to/from Pisa. Thanks!

Has anyone experience of this tour and if so, who did you do it with.
thank you.

Hi there - I was planning to take my husband to the Circo-lo Teatro del Sale for his birthday while we're on holiday in Florence. I've just checked the schedule and it turns out there will be what looks like a stand-up comedy show on his birthday. Unfortunately we don't speak Italian! Can anyone recommend an interesting and romantic place for dinner/show or other event in Florence? Thanks a lot!

We (2) are spending 6 1/2 days in Florence (Residenza il Villino) in mid-October. Intend to use 2 1/2 days to see the sites in Florence and one day (using train or bus) to visit Siena. On one more day, we want to see Pisa, Lucca and if time permits on the same day Viareggio. Unsure if it's best to use the trains or a private guide. If a guide is able to get tickets for entry into the popular sites before our arrival, then assume it will be a smoother visit. The last two days we are seeking a driver to (one day) San Gimignano/Volterra and then last day hill towns like Montalcino, Radda and or Greve.
1. For mid-October, should we wait to find a guide once we arrive Florence, or try and find a guide before arriving?
2. Is the Pisa and Lucca trip a better idea with a guide or using trains?
3. Any driver/guide recommendations?

Hi! I am interested in taking a Vespa tour of Tuscany. Does anyone know of other tours to take other than the ones advertised with Scooterbella or Italy by Vespa? Scooterbella is much more economical but wondered if there was anyone offering a discount to their tour - now costing about $1350 Euro for 4 days. Thanks!

Hello,

I am searching for a unique way to tour Florence Italy? Does anyone know of an interesting tour that I can take that does not involve a lot of walking? Thanks for the advice.

in 2 and 1/2 days? I know you are all probably tired of itineraries.....but I would REALLY APPRECIATE your input. We arrive in Florence between 2 and 3pm and will then check in to our hotel....the Relais Cavalcanti, which is located a couple minutes from the duomo and uffizi....and here is the rest of our plans:

Check in, rest, freshen up and leave around 4:30pm, grab a snack

Duomo (baptistery if time) or something else??? would like to do something close and not too strenuous, any suggestions??

Dinner @ ? (any suggestions) in Piazza della Signoria

Day 2:

Wake up @ 7am, leave @ 8-8:30am, eat good breakfast

Meet tour guide @ 9:20 in front of Palazzo Strozzi entrance (will be holding a sign)(tour is 3 hours)

• Walking tour and accademia

Eat lunch @ 1:30

2:00 Medici Chapels (Michelangelo)

3:00 Church of Santa Maria Novella

4:30 Baptistery (if didn’t have time)

5:00 Climb Giotto's Tower.

Sunset @7 at Piazzale Michelangelo

Dinner ???? maybe go to fiesole??

Day 3: Wake up @ 6:45-7am, get breakfast

Uffizi opens @ 8:15am

Around noon grab a snack and café

Santa croce

Cross over ponte vecchio

Check out open air Mercato della Paglia???

Pitti palace and boboli gardens

Dinner in oltrarno....any good suggestions??

We leave the next morning to go to Venice

So, anything we are missing, suggestions where to eat, any good markets for souvenirs, all comments are welcome. Thank you so much!!! And I know we shouldn't over plan, I just want to make sure we see everything we really want to as this is probably a one time chance. Thanks :o)

I am planning a trip to Italy and will be staying in Florence for about 4-5 days. I have read online that one should not stay in the area near the Santa Maria Novella train station because it is not safe to walk at night because of drug traffic. I am a 55 y.o. woman who will be traveling with another 55 y.o. woman and we are looking for a nice hotel. Will we be safe in the Uffizi/Duomo area? We are considering Hotel Davanzati and Hotel Pierre, among others. Does anyone have any recommendations on where to stay with respect to safety, closeness to attractions, etc. Thanks you any help you can give. Karen

does anyone know anything about the night race in florence? i think it's a 10k in june...thanks

Hello all,
I am planning to take the terrevision bus from Pisa airport to Florence (will perhaps take the train to return to the airport 3 days later as it is a 10:00 AM flight). Anyway according to the terravision website, for 4 additional euros, we could get a pass for all public transportation in Florence. Seems very reasonable, but is it only for the arrival day? - I could not find this answer on the website.

Do you think it would be wise to book a ticket for the Pitti Palace prior to our arrival? I didn't know how long the lines would be and also if we have to pay seperatly to enter the gardens...??

hi,

Has anyone stayed in Old Florence Inn Bed and Breakfast?...i was planning to book this place for my stay in Florence in April.

Please post in your comments regarding this place.
Thanx
Ritu