Florence what should I not miss

[deltatango]

I have decided to take the RCI tour coach which drops you off in Florence to do your own thing it cost £47, you have 5 hours before pick up I am on my own wife not coming 69 year old fit it will be a Saturday, you are dropped off at Lungarno della Zecca and be escorted to Santa Croce Square, what should I not miss anyone done DIY guide that I could follow. will be taking my small Sat-nav to help :D

 

BTW Defiantly want to see the statue of David, I know its a copy, will stop for lunch a nice Spaghetti any recommendations cheap ;)

[luv1another4ever]

Deltatango - we are going to do the same on an Oceania cruise in Nov. I downloaded Rick Steves walking tour of Florence at the itunes store and we are planning on following that - we have read quite a few good reviews here on CC about his tours, and they are free.

 

I am hoping that someone can tell you (us) a great pasta place off the beaten path - not the touristy places.

 

Hope that you have a great trip and if you are cruising soon, we would love to read your review of Florence on your own.

[deltatango]

Deltatango - we are going to do the same on an Oceania cruise in Nov. I downloaded Rick Steves walking tour of Florence at the itunes store and we are planning on following that - we have read quite a few good reviews here on CC about his tours, and they are free.

 

I am hoping that someone can tell you (us) a great pasta place off the beaten path - not the touristy places.

 

Hope that you have a great trip and if you are cruising soon, we would love to read your review of Florence on your own.

 

Thanks for that, just what I wanted, all downloaded to my itunes now to get it on my ipod,

[chipmaster]

The Cathedral, Accademia ( reserver tickets ), Dumo, The gates, Ponte Vechio are must sees IMHO.

[baggal]

I would make a reservation for the Accademia and head to see that as soon as you arrive in Florence. Why settle for a copy when you are so close to the original? Then, work you way back to the Ponte Vecchio and finally Sante Croce Square.

 

As a rule of thumb, we go to the locations furthest from the meeting point first - and then work our way back - keeping an eye on the clock.

[FeelingCruisy]

take a bus, I forgot the number now, all the way up to Piazza Michaelangelo on a small hill. You can see the beautiful view from up there, that's where all the postcard pictures are taken. Bus ride about 8 - 10 mins from city center. Then, walk down, easily done, and walk through Ponte Vecchio back to town. p.s. there's also a copy of the statue up there, but it's green (from the moss I think).

[deltatango]

So you can see the original of the David, I thought they hid it away from the tourists ?

[cruisemom42]

So you can see the original of the David, I thought they hid it away from the tourists ?

 

You can see it, but it was moved inside many years ago to avoid damage. It is in the Accademia museum -- you can pre-reserve tickets; otherwise there is often a long line. The rest of the museum does not take a lot of time.

 

The Cathedral, Accademia ( reserver tickets ), Dumo, The gates, Ponte Vechio are must sees IMHO.

 

Gates? Are you referring to the bronze doors of the baptistry?

 

http://www.shafe.co.uk/crystal/images/lshafe/Ghiberti_2nd_Baptistery_doors_Gates_of_Paradise1425.jpg

[deltatango]

Looks like I should get to Santa Croce Square about 10am, so I can book a time, how long will it take to get to Accademia museum to see the David ?

[Susan-M]

It will take about 15-20 minutes to walk to the Accademia, but I would allow some lee way in case you are late arriving in Florence (we were, due to a traffic congestion getting out of the port). You could do some of your walking tour first, e.g. the Duomo portion, then head to the Accademia. I scheduled our visit for 11:45 and it worked out well.

 

Allow about 30-45 minutes inside the Accademia.

 

Just a reminder to print the accompanying maps for your RS tours.

 

Susan

[deltatango]

It will take about 15-20 minutes to walk to the Accademia, but I would allow some lee way in case you are late arriving in Florence (we were, due to a traffic congestion getting out of the port). You could do some of your walking tour first, e.g. the Duomo portion, then head to the Accademia. I scheduled our visit for 11:45 and it worked out well.

 

Allow about 30-45 minutes inside the Accademia.

 

Just a reminder to print the accompanying maps for your RS tours.

 

Susan

 

Thanks for the infor, I have booked for 11.45am does this ticket allow you to go in free anywhere else ? and is the Duomo free

[euro cruiser]

The Accademia ticket is for the Accademia, period.

 

The nave of the Duomo is free, but if you want to climb the bell tower or the dome there are fees for that, and there is a fee to enter the Baptistry.

 

There is also a fee to enter Santa Croce.

[Marika]

One of my favourites is Santa Croce Basilica and since you're being dropped off there it'll be easy. It is the burial place of some of the most illustrious Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, etc.

[deltatango]

Thanks everyone for the infor, last thing can you take pictures in any of the museums

[hubofhockey]

Thanks everyone for the infor, last thing can you take pictures in any of the museums

 

You aren't supposed to take pictures of the David in the Accademia. It goes on and with cameras on small smartphones, it is so hard for them to enforce that rule. But they do threaten to take your phone or camera away if you do.

[hubofhockey]

will stop for lunch a nice Spaghetti any recommendations cheap ;)

 

Ristorante Toto. I don't know what you consider cheap. I think the pasta with sauce may have bee 7 to 10 euros. One could order that and split it with someone else ordering pizza. The Florentine steak is expensive there.

[deltatango]

Ristorante Toto. I don't know what you consider cheap. I think the pasta with sauce may have bee 7 to 10 euros. One could order that and split it with someone else ordering pizza. The Florentine steak is expensive there.

 

That sounds good which street is it in

[hubofhockey]

That sounds good which street is it in

 

Borgo SS Apostoli 6/r, 50123 Florence, Italy

 

It is between the Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza della Signoria. The building is old, beautiful and from the 13th century.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187895-d1453616-Reviews-Ristorante_Toto-Florence_Tuscany.html

 

above is link to tripadvisor reviews. the only thing someone in our large party did not like was the roasted chicken. you may want to stick with pasta, pizza, seafood, or beef dishes.

[deltatango]

Borgo SS Apostoli 6/r, 50123 Florence, Italy

 

It is between the Ponte Vecchio and the Piazza della Signoria. The building is old, beautiful and from the 13th century.

 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187895-d1453616-Reviews-Ristorante_Toto-Florence_Tuscany.html

 

above is link to tripadvisor reviews. the only thing someone in our large party did not like was the roasted chicken. you may want to stick with pasta, pizza, seafood, or beef dishes.

 

I have been to Tuscany several times, but always missed Florence, in a little hill town I had a fillet steak that had a fresh porcini mushroom on it, it was very tasty..........

 

Thanks once again

[drco]

Is it possible to see the main sights in Florence (we will not go to any museums), and also stop by Pisa on our way back to the cruise ship?

[euro cruiser]

Is it possible to see the main sights in Florence (we will not go to any museums), and also stop by Pisa on our way back to the cruise ship?

Sure, lots of people do it.

[GlendaleCruiser]

One of my favourites is Santa Croce Basilica and since you're being dropped off there it'll be easy. It is the burial place of some of the most illustrious Italians, such as Michelangelo, Galileo, etc.

 

One of my favoritesin Florence and worth the 5 Euro to get in: also entombed:

Marconi, Dante, Machiavelli.

[slidergirl]

Unless you are totally into spaghetti, may I suggest you try a couple of the local specials...

Ribollita - it's a fantastic hearty soup. It is basically beans, kale, tomato, pancetta, broth, and stale bread. I know - it sounds bland. But, it is oh, so good!! I make it at home frequently. I can do a quick one, or I can let one slowly simmer. Yummy...

Porchetta sandwich - porchetta is a pork loin. There is just something they do to the pork in Florence that makes this sandwich outstanding. Probably the fat that is left on the loin and the garlic and rosemary it is roasted with :D

The one place that I can remember was Trattoria Mario. It's pretty well known, so you should be able to find it. Pointer to their website: http://trattoria-mario.com. I've grabbed food to much on in the Mercato Centrale, also.