Going to Florence - recommendations?

[Cheetah Designs]

HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I ALLOW FOR EACH DAY?


Going to Florence as a solo traveller to have some time off and looking for recommendations on where to go, what to see and where to eat.

Going for 3 nights. Obviously as I will be dining alone I don't want any super romantic places as I will just look sad...lol.

Thanks in advance.

 

[matt_fsr]

Have a chat with Niccolo Macchiavelli, he knows the score.









Oh wait, I really have been watching too much Borgais haven't I?

 

[dasyad]

Brilliant place. My advice would be check out the general tourist stuff and then wander around aimlessly, because you will see so many nice places and find places to eat pretty easily.

Also go here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazzale_Michelangelo and take photos at sunset, awesome views

 

[HangTime]

Not particularly helpful but we just enjoyed wandering around the various Piazzas etc. Food wise try and find something a little off the beaten track as there are quite a few places with set menus catering for tourists, not overly impressive.

Went to a Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition which was very interesting seeing models of his inventions etc but not sure if it was only temporary.

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is extremely impressive architecture and looks amazing at night. You can approach it just through some little backstreet and then it's like, wow what's this coming round the corner!

Ponte Vecchio is very famous, worth seeing if you are there for 3 days, but it was a little underwhelming. If the weather is nice you'll get some nice photos from the various bridges.

 

[carvegio]

Uffizi is a must.

Then general trip advisor top sites. If you have time go to Pisa.

 

[PardonTheWait]

Try and get all the feathers

 

[dasyad]

Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore is extremely impressive architecture and looks amazing at night. You can approach it just through some little backstreet and then it's like, wow what's this coming round the corner!

Seeing that for the first time was absolutely amazing. It was also great for navigation if you got lost, "just head for The Duomo"

 

[T345]

Try and get all the feathers

 

[RetiredGreyFox]

I'm in Sorrento right now, lovely place.
Went to Pompeii today and me and the Mrs are knackered.
No help on Florence but I thought I would crash the thread.

 

[Cheetah Designs]

Flying tomorrow and as usual I am behind.

How much should I provision (in Euros) for each day? Plan to eat out for lunch (not massive) and dinner.

No idea how much things cost out there!

Thanks.

 

[Zogger]

If you want to go to the Uffizi book in advance or be prepared to queue for a looong time. There was also a sign that says you're not allowed to take food / drink (inc water) in with you. Didn't get as far as the entrance though with a baby and no tickets...

Italy is relatively expensive but budgeting depends entirely on what kind of places you're eating at / going to etc.. Personally I think we spent about €4-500 for a week (2 + baby) in Tuscany, but that wasn't particularly extravagant and were eating in at least once a day in self-catering, hardly paid any entrance fees, but most attractions / sights do have entrance fees. We did have car hire though & €100 of that was on diesel

Outside of Florence there are some interesting medieval towns you can visit, (and the countryside is much nicer outside of the plain-y area where Florence sits). Siena, Volterra, San Gimignano etc. railway connections in Italy are apparently relatively good if you don't have a car but haven't tried it myself - all of these places will be packed with tourists though (as will florence).

The Palio (horse race) is on in Siena tomorrow, presumably you will have missed that one though! shame..

 

[Cheetah Designs]

I plan on doing all the touristy things in Florence.

I am only going for 3 nights. How much would a meal cost roughly? I usually do 2 courses and wine.

Again - I'm a solo traveler.

 

[yer_averagejoe]

I went to florence on my own for three nights. I just spent my time wandering the streets and squares, people watching really. I cooked my meals myself so can't recommend places to eat dinner though street food and bakeries were good for lunch and breakfast.

As someone already mentions, Piazzale Michelangelo is a great panorama and worth going for the sunset. I also took a wander around the hills behind this square - a nice green break from the city.

Anyway, despite the hustle and bustle it really helped me clear my head as I was going through some stuff at the time. I hope you enjoy it

 

[Cheetah Designs]

Lol...no ballparks....100 euro per day good?

 

[Nymins]

Duomo. Duomo!

 

[dasyad]

Lol...no ballparks....100 euro per day good?

I spent less than that per day but I stayed in a hostel which included breakfast so only had 2 meals out in the day plus snacks. In terms of spending I guess it depends entirely on where you eat and what you eat/drink. There's a really great gelato place, I'll see if I can remember the name.

[EDIT]Found it http://goo.gl/maps/NoNKH