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Tips

• .Lee's Observations about Florence, Italy:
  Florence was founded by Julius Caesar to protect the route linking Rome to Northern Italy and Gaul and named it Florentia. The Palazzo di Signoria (Palazzo Vecchio) was the republican center of government in medieval times. When Italy was unified in 1865, Florence was the first capital before the capital was moved to Rome in 1871. During this time, the Palazzo di Signoria was the center of the government.
• .TIP: Art Lectures
  Information from Anne: My husband and I just came from a fantastic Art Lecture and we promised to let people know about it. We were only in Florence for a few days but we should've gone our first day here. I actually understand this amazing art that surrounds us now! They are called Florence Art Lectures and they bring you into this beautiful Palazzo right in Santa Croce Square (with wine too!!) It only lasted about an hour and a half but she (the historian) made the art fun and interesting. We thought we couldn't afford something like this - too extravagant - but they gave us a deal so that we could. I highly recommend contacting them upon your arrival to Florence. Don't know the phone number but they are at 21 Santa Croce Square and they do lectures every day, and they have a website - www.florenceart.org. Happy and safe travels!
• .TIP: Hotel Tip from ebolt
  Try the Hotel Hermitage. Its a small B & B right off the Ponte Vecchio with a rooftop garden where you can have breakfast.
• .TIP: Hotel Tip from Ken
  I stayed at the Casci (recommended by someone else here) last year, and liked it a lot. It's very conveniently located, moderately priced, not deluxe but clean and comfortable, and run by very nice people. As with most hotels, if you ask for a room in the back, it's usually considerably quieter.
• .TIP: Map of Florence
  Oddly, the map given out for free at McDonald's (yes!) in Florence seems to be the best. I would have never thought to go in there, but the desk clerk at a hotel said that he had found it to be the best for tourists.
• .TIP: Restaurant Tip from ClanLee
  In Florence, we went to a restaurant called the Golden View. It's located just off the Ponte Vecchio, next to the Arno river. We didn't have reservations for dinner, but we were seated immediately. Didn't get a table by the window, but still had a lovely view. The food was EXCELLENT! I think it cost about 35 euros per person... but then we drank lots of wine and beer!
• Ciro & Sons Restaurant
  Restaurant Tip: Information from Roxy:
  Sat outside in the garden and enjoyed every bit of a 1-1/2 hour late lunch! No dress up required. Bottled water, starter: bread, plate of tender mushrooms in olive oil, huge salad, Maguerita personal pizza, 2 glasses chianti $25 with svc chg, plus small tip. A special day lunch 16June05
• Enoteca La Sosta del Rossellino
  Tip from littlephoenix Florence is so beautiful, i have been there and its a must for any traveler, you can go to Enoteca Sosta del Rossellino, its the #1 wine bar with a special, welcoming atmosphere. The tables are hand-painted and the room has a warm ambience. In summer, customers can eat on a terrace.

Dining

• Caffè Giacosa
  
  After a painstaking restoration faithful to the original structures, Roberto Cavalli, a born Florentine bound to tradition, reopened Florence's historic "drawing room", giving back to the city one of its famous cafès.
  Address: Via della Spada 10, Firenze
  Telephone: +39 055 277 6328
  Email: info@caffegiacosa.com

  
  
  
• Cantinetta
  In a period which exalts exotic cuisine here you find a place which is dedicated to Florence and its traditional specialities. At the "Cantinetta" it is possible to enjoy the products of the old wood burning oven accompanied by the wines from the Castle di Verrazzano. This wine bar/bakery is owned and run by the Cappellini family, owners of the Castle of Verrazzano, who took over the historic Semellino Bakery in order to maintain tradition through simple dishes valorised to the maximum. Two entrances lead to two distinct areas tastefully furnished in marble and walnut. On one side we find the baker's counter, complete with pastries and rustic biscuits, the coffee bar serving the famous Piansa coffee blend, the old baker's oven standing 15 feet high and seating for about 20. In the second area we find the wine shop serving all the products from the Castle such as Chianti Classico and Reserve, Sassello, white wines, honey, vinegars, spumante, extra virgin olive oil and Vin Santo... There is seating for about 30 where it is possible to taste the delicacies prepared with the very best local products accompanied by freshly baked breads.
  Address: Via dei Tavolini, 18/r, 50122 - Firenze
  Telephone: +39 055 268590
  Working hours: 8.00-21.00 Closed on Sunday
• Cheap and traditional
  Looking for a good non-touristy restaurant in Florence? Check out this article from The Florentine: Undoubtedly, the best way to find authenticity is to get off the beaten path and go where the locals go.
• Gran Caffe Ristorante Giubbe Rosse
  Piazza della Repubblica 13/14r, 50123, Firenze. Tel: +39 055 212280 E-mail: info@giubberosse.it
• Il Cernacchino
  A good non-touristy restaurant in the heart of Florence. Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch, Takeout
  via della Condotta 38r
  Telephone: 055 294 119
• Ino
  Via dei Georgofili 3r-7r Telephone: 055.219208 Custom-made panini sandwiches, choose from 20-plus cheeses including pecorino and gorgonzola, and add some mortadella and salami.
• Lion's Fountain Irish Pub
  Borgo degli Albizi 34R, Firenze. Telephone: +39.055.2344412. Email: lionsfountain@gmail.com -- An Irish sports pub in Florence, Italy.
• Lungarno 23
  Lungarno Torrigiani 23, 50125 Firenze Telephone: +39 055 2345957 A stylish restaurant across the Arno river. The owners have their own cattle farm in the Tuscan town of Sinalunga, where they raise Chianina — an ancient Italian breed known for its white hair, long limbs and marbled meat. The Chianina burgers are served on a sesame bun with lettuce, onions, tomatoes and ketchup.
• Trattoria del Pennello
  A renaissance artist named Mariotto Albertinelli, who has at least one fresco in Volterra, presumably gave up painting for the "greater art of cooking." He established this restaurant in the late 1400s and Cellini, Pontormo, and Andrea del Sarto used to dine here.
• Trattoria dell'Orto
  Located in the heart of the "real Florence", welcomes you to a unique place: five personalized rooms for gatherings and business meetings (Small dining room, Large dining room, Garden dining room, Tavern, Cantina) where you can experience the Tuscan gastronomic tradition and taste some of the typical dishes of Florentine cooking.

Wine, Beer, etc.

• Wine Town in Florence
  
  Florence annually holds an event in September, the month of the grape harvest, called Wine Town, the fine wine festival. This takes the visitor through loggias, alleyways and historic mansions with glasses of wine in hand, to be savoured and tasted along with the finest produce.
  
  
  

Lodging

• Agli Uffizi Bed & Breakfast
  "The most comfortable accommodation away from home." Situated inside a renaissance Florentine palace, in one of the most typical, characteristic streets of the historical centre of the city, close to Piazza della Signoria.
• Apartments & Villas in Florence and Tuscany Italy
  Florence Holidays offers a wide choice of Florence vacation rentals: prestige apartments, villas, castles, farmhouses... Florence Holidays offers also a large selection of holiday rentals in Tuscany: villas, villas with pool, luxury villas, farm holidays, country houses in some of the most famous Italian art towns and cities (Siena, San Gimignano, Arezzo, Cortona, Lucca, Pisa, Volterra...) or in the splendid Tuscan countryside (Chianti hills, Orcia Valley, Maremma...) All accommodations are owned and managed directly by Florentine and Tuscan owners.
• Consorzio Firenze Albergo
  Hotels in Florence.
• Florence Guide & Hotels
  
• Grand Hotel Mediterraneo
  Lungarno del Tempio, 44, 50121 Firenze, Italia. Telephone: +39 055 660241.
• Hotel California
  The Hotel California is located on the second floor of a historic building in the central Via Ricasoli, the same street where there is also the original statue of David by Michelangelo. Recently renovated, very peaceful and comfortable environment fully reflect the atmosphere of Renaissance Florence. As evidence of this in many rooms and halls are still many ornaments, frescoes and stucco original. The 22 rooms, in Florentine style, are spacious and bright, with air conditioning, telephone and satellite TV. The bathrooms with shower, bathtub or Jacuzzi are normal in white Carrara marble, and also complete with hair dryer.
  Via Ricasoli, 28/30, 50122 Firenze, Italy
  Telephone: +39 055 282753
  Email: info@californiaflorence.it
• Hotel degli Orafi
  Lungarno Archibusieri, 4 50121 Firenze Italia
• Le Due Fontane
  P.zza SS. Annunziata, 14 - 50122 Firenze Telefono +39 055 210185 (r.a.) Fax +39 055 294461 P.I. 04071730487 Email: info@leduefontane.it The Hotel is located in the historical and artistic centre, in the most famous renaissance square of Florence, 200 meters from the Cathedral. It is in a neo-classic building, completely restructured, with 57 tastefully furnished rooms in the florentine "poor art" style; each room has a Mini-bar, air conditioning, satellite Television and Internet connection. The hotel also has 2 garages and can provide a Shuttle service to the train station and airport.
• Oh-Florence
  Florence Apartments and Hotels — Your Florence Accommodation. Rent your short stay Apartment or Hotel in Florence for your holidays. Looking to spend your holidays in a historic city that has everything? Then Florence is the perfect place and Oh-Florence.com has the perfect accommodation for your stay. Book one of our Florence Apartments or Florence Hotels close to the area of the city you are most interested in. We have the perfect Florence accommodation for you, whether it's near Ponte Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery or the City Centre. Find the Florence apartment or hotel with the facilities you require to have a great time in this Tuscany City.
• Platinhome
  Luxury apartments. Email: booking@platinhome.it Two locations:
  Piazza della Repubblica, 6 - 50123 Firenze Telephone: +39.055.4794584 and
  Via Ricasoli - Firenze, Telephone: +39.055.4794584.
• Viva hotels in Florence
  With five hotels, three and four star-rated, 431 rooms, 6 meeting rooms, VIVAHOTELS is a unit with considerable importance on the Florentine hotel market (a considerable reality in the Florentine hotel panorama).

Attractions

• Basilica di San Miniato al Monte
  Church and Abbey on the hill near the Pizzalle Michelangelo with views overlooking the city of Florence.
  Address: Via delle Porte Sante, 34 50125 Florence, Province of Florence, Italy
  Telephone: +39 055.234.27.31
  Email: sanminiato@tin.it
• Il Duono di Firenze
  Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore
• Ippodromi di Firenze
  Florence Raceway
• Opificio delle Pietre Dure
  This translates literally as 'Factory of the Hard Stones'. The English version of this web site is not ready yet. Via Alfani, 78 - 50121 Firenze (Italy) tel: ( 39) 055.26511 fax: ( 39) 055.287123. The Opificio delle Pietre Dure e Laborati di Restauro, literally meaning Workshop for Hard Stones and Laboratory for Restoration, is an autonomous institute of the Italian Ministry for Cultural Heritage based in Via Alfani in Florence. It is a global leader in the field of art restoration and provides teaching as one of two Italian state conservation schools.
• Palazzo Borghese
  Reinaissance Dinners, Gala Dinners, etc., in a historic Palace.
• Palazzo dell'Arte della Lana
  Guildhall of the Florentine Wool Guild. Via dell'Arte della Lana, 1, 50123 Firenze, Italy. Currently the seat of the Società Dantesca Italiana (Italian Dante Society).
• Palazzo Medici Ricardi
  Palazzo Medici Riccardi has a particularly fascinating history, rich in art and also in political, cultural and worldly events. The history of this palazzo, one of the finest and most famous in Florence, is an integral part of the history of the city, marking out all the important stages in its development.

Museums

• Casa Buonaroti
  Visiting the museum of the Casa Buonarroti arouses, first of all, the emotion of admiration for several early works by Michelangelo contained within its walls. These very famous works by Michelangelo of extreme artistic importance include the "Madonna of the Stairs" and the "Battle of the Centaurs." But for those who pass through the main entrance of the lovely seventeenth century building located at Via Ghibellina 70, Florence, it is even more interesting to relate the Michelangelo masterpieces housed there with the long story of the Buonarroti family. The family did all it could to enlarge the dwelling and make it more attractive, while preserving a precious cultural heredity and assembling a precious art collection at the same time.
• FlorenceArt
  Book tickets for Museums in Florence.
• Museo dell'Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore
  Museum behind the duomo in Florence (Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore) that houses original sculptures, etc., from the basilica to protect them from the elements. These artworks have been replaced by copies. This includes the doors of the baptistery by Ghiberti, known as the "Doors of Paradise." The Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore is a lay institution founded by the Republic of Florence in 1296 to superintend the construction of the new Cathedral and its bell tower. As of 1436, the year in which Brunelleschi's dome was completed and the church was consecrated, the principal task of the Opera became that of conserving the monumental complex which was joined in 1777 by the Baptistry of San Giovanni and in 1891 by the Museum founded to house the works of art which, in the course of centuries, had been removed from the Duomo and the Baptistry. Today, in as much as a "works commission", the Opera is subject to the 1929 Concordat and, as such, directed by a Council composed of seven members who are appointed every three years with a decree by the Minister of the Interior, and elect one member as President. As of 1998, the Opera has juridically taken the shape of a Socially Useful Non-profit Organization (ONLUS), regulated by its own statute which includes among its institutional purposes, the "protection, promotion and valorization of its artistic patrimony".
• Museo Galileo
  The Museo Galileo is one of the foremost international institutions in the History of Science, combining a noted museum of scientific instruments and an institute dedicated to the research, documentation and dissemination of the history of science in the broadest senses. The Museo Galileo is heir to a tradition of five centuries of scientific collecting, which has its origins in the central importance assigned to scientists and scientific instruments by the Medici and Lorraine families.
  
  Address: Piazza dei Giudici 1, 50122 Florence, ITALY
  Telephone: +39 055 265 311
  Email: info@museogalileo.it
  
  
  
• Museums and Monuments in Florence
  
• Palazzo Davanzati, the Ancient Florentine Home
  The Palace, built by the Davizzi family around mid-14th century, was purchased in 1578 by the Davanzati family (their coat of arms is still visible on the facade) and remained in their possession until 1838, when it was divided into several flats and suffered severe damage. In 1904 it was purchased and restored by the antique dealer Elia Volpi, who entirely furnished it and opened it to the public in 1910 as Museum of the Old Florentine House. The palace was purchased in 1951 by the State that reorganised it and opened it once more to the public in 1956. The present arrangement of the Museum aims at reconstructing the setting of an old Florentine home, with furniture and household tools from the 14th to the 19th centuries.
  
  Address: Via Porta Rossa, 13, 50123 Florence, Province of Florence, Italy
  
  
  
• Polo Museale Fiorentino -- The State Museums of Florence
  The Polo Museale Fiorentino is an institution which administers the largest ensemble of art works in Italy. It includes twenty museums varying in importance from the Uffizi Gallery to the Medici Villa of Cerreto Guidi, from the Accademia Gallery to the Cenacolo of Santa Apollonia. It employs over 900 persons (art historians, administrative staff and warders, restorers, photographers, librarians), is responsible for 250 thousand catalogued works of art, and receives over 5 million visitors each year.

Shopping

• Antico Setificio Fiorentino
  There is a place where... fabrics, in sparkling silk, for interior decoration are created... the interiors of the Kremlin, The Quirinale, The Royal Palaces of Stockholm and Copenhagen were produced... the most famous contemporary architects choose fabrics, woven on ancient looms dating to the 18th and 19th centuries, for their projects... modern and tradition are melted together... and where you can make your dreams come true. This place is l'Antico Setificio Fiorentino, an Antique Silk Factory in Florence, Italy. Via L. Bartolini, 4 50124 Firenze. Tel +39 055 213861. Fax +39 055 218174. E-mail: info@setificiofiorentino.it
• Carteria Tassotti
  via dei Servi, 9, 50122 Firenze, Italia‎ Telephone: 055 2645477‎ • Decorative paper • Stationery items • Greeting cards, calendar, writing paper, etc. • Art prints. One of a chain of shops run by Grafiche Tassotti. The first shop was in Bassano del Grappa, near Venice, and there are also shops in Venice, Milan and Bologna.
• Ceramiche Alfa Spa
  Terracotta and glazed stoneware products. Via Virginio, 312, 50025 Anselmo (FI), Italy +39 0571 671433
• Fratelli Perini Firenze Italia
  Inside the San Lorenzo Market in Florence is located one of the most beautiful and charming delicatessen store of all the city: PERINI. In the heart of the most spectacular European's cover market Andrea e Claudio are still working from a great family business began in 1940. All the products are guaranteed and Genuine, in fact they are personally selected by them, in the best Tuscany farms. The Perini's deli is known all over the world for the kindness of the people working there and for the quality of their cheeses and hams. Andrea e Claudio are inviting you to come to see their store inside the Central Market or just visit their virtual store ordering, if you want delicious Tuscan specialties, wherever you are!!
• Giannini Firenze 1856
  Bookbinder and more.
  Address: via Condotta, 26/R 50122 Firenze, IT
  Telephone: +39 055 216752
  Address: Piazza Pitti, 37/R 50125 Firenze, IT
  Telephone: +39 055 212621
  Email: maria@giuliogiannini.it
• Il Papiro
  Items in hand decorated paper with techniques inspired by the tradition of Tuscany. Il Papiro is a company which produces items in hand decorated paper with techniques inspired by the tradition of Tuscany. Established since 1976 in Firenze, Il Papiro introduces as first again in Italy items realised with almost extinguished techniques such as the marbleizing of paper. This, in turn, contributed to the renewed taste for items in hand decorated paper. The highly artisan production of Il Papiro covers a variety of items going from bound diaries, journals, address books, photo albums as well as desk accessories (pencil holders, letter holders, memo holders, photo frames and boxes in different shapes and sizes). It also includes a vast selection of stationery with designs, such as cards, place cards, ex-libris and hand marbleized paper with which most of the items described above are covered with.
  Address: Via Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 49, Sesto Fiorentino Firenze, ItalyTelephone: +39 055 215262
  Address: Piazza Duomo 24/R Firenze, ITTelephone: +39 055 281628
  Address: Lungarno Acciaiuoli 42/R Firenze, ITTelephone: +39 055 2645613
  Address: Via de' Tavolini 13/R 50122 Firenze, Toscana, ITTelephone: +39 055 213823
  Address: Via Porta Rossa 76/R 50123 Firenze, Toscana, ITTelephone: +39 055 216593
  Address: Via Guicciardini 47/R Firenze, ITTelephone: +39 055 2776351
• Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella
  Via della Scala 16, 50123 Firenze. The Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella was established in 1221 by Dominican monks who cultivated medicinal herbs in their gardens and used them to prepare balms, ointments and pomades for their convent's infirmary. Entrance to the ancient pharmacy was from the main cloister, through a splendid doorway designed by Matteo Nigetti with a conch-shaped pediment in the center of which is a small pharmacy jar with dolphin shaped handles.

Food Shopping — Bakeries, Chocolate Shops, Food Markets, Wine Shops, etc.

• Carapina Gelateria
  Information from the Dining in Florence website: With only 22 containers on display, Carapina gelato is made every day with fresh ingredients, high quality milk, and only seasonal fruits.
  Piazza Oberdan 2r
  Telephone: 055 676930
• Fabbrica di Cioccolata
  Rivoire -- Piazza della Signoria, with a view of the Palazzo Vecchio (Palazzo della Signoria)
• La Fiera del Cioccolato
  Chocolate Fair held in Florence in February
• Vestri
  Chocolate maker, Daniele Vestri, personally manages all of the production processes.
  Borgo degli Albizi, 11/R, Florence, It
  Telephone: +39 055.2340374
  Email: info@vestri.it
  There is also a store in Arezzo at via Romana, 161 B/C, Telephone: +39 0575.430108.
• Vivoli il Gelato
  Gelateria. via isola delle stinche 7r, Firenze. Telephone: 055/292334

Fairs, Festivals, etc.

• Florence Gelato Festival
  Held in May, check the Florence Events Calendar for dates.

Cooking Classes

• Cooking Classes in Florence
  Listing from Art Viva Walking Tours.
• Divina Cucina
  One-day tours, one-day cooking classes, week-long programs. Judy Witts Francini, is a member of the Italian Personal Chef Association, the International Association of Culinary Professionals, a member of Slow Food International, and a student of cooking for over 30 years. She's married to a native Florentine, Andrea Francini, whose knowledge of Florence provides Judy with valuable insights.
• LinguaViva
  Italian cooking courses with Linguaviva, Italian cooking school in Florence.

Tours

• Art Viva
  The Original and Best Walking Tours since 1996. The first company in Italy to offer high quality guided tours and events with specially trained guides. Experts make history come alive and give entertaining and informative tours. High quality services at a great price.
• CAF Incoming Tours
  Tour Operator in Florence since 1954. Guided tours of Florence: coach and walking itineraries. Guided tours - other destinations.
• FLORENTIA: Historical Walking Tours in Florence and Tuscany
  Florentia is the ancient name of the city of Florence. It is also the oldest organization offering private walking tours and museum visits in Florence and other destinations in Tuscany. Accompany a local scholar, walking through streets which are alive with art and history, immersing in the architecture and learning about the life and customs of Tuscan people past and present. Itineraries may include world-famous sights and little-known treasures.
• Freya's Florence Tours
  Licensed private tour guide. Good guides are said to bring the city to life. A great city like Florence requires no explanation to see her overall great aesthetic beauty, she proudly displays it on every corner. However, we really only ever see what we know, and often, even the most obvious thing can be overlooked as much as the hidden gem.
• Segway Florence
  Have fun cruising effortlessly through the timeless streets of Florence on the coolest ride of the 21st century. Segway Firenze is proud to be the first and only guided tour using Segways in Florence, so come and glide with us!

Transportation

• Amerigo Vespucci Airport, Florence
  Located four kilometers from the center of Florence, the "Amerigo Vespucci" Airport occupies an area of approximately 115 hectares between Castello and the Plain of Sesto Fiorentino. The area, to the north-west of Florence, lies between the "Firenze Nord" exit from the superhighway and Florence's industrial area near Prato.
  Address: Via del Termine, 11 50127 Firenze, Italia
  Telephone: +39.055.3061300

Other — Tourist Guides, etc.

• AboutFlorence.com
  This non-commercial website offers interesting and useful information about one of the most beautiful cities in the world, Florence. We have collected for you the most precious historical and practical information available.
• Agenzia per il Turismo di Firenze
  The Tourism Board portal, the official web site for tourism in Florence and its province. Rich with information, quick and easy to use, it is dedicated above all to those who want to familiarize themselves with the city and its surrounding areas, discover new aspects and unusual places.
• Florence Dream
  Florence City Guide
• Studentsville Florence
  Everything you need to know about Florence, from the people who live there
• Syracuse University in Florence (SUF)
  SUF was founded in 1959 and is one of the oldest study abroad programs in Italy. The SUF Campus is comprised of five buildings all within a five-minute walking distance. Syracuse University in Florence is ten-minute walk from the historic city center, situated on and around Piazza Savonarola. Over 120 classes each semester for undergraduate students. The Option I Program is for students who want to take all their courses at the SUF campus. This option offers Italian language instruction from beginning through advanced-intermediate levels and a wide range of courses most of which are taught in English.
• Vacations in Florence
  Paesaggi Fiorentini (Florentine Landscapes) Suggestions about some interesting activity to do in town could form a practical guide; and fine art photography is a method to know the artistical feelings which a place can transmit.
• Villa le Balze Georgetown University in Florence Italy
  Internationally recognized as Georgetown's Study Center in Florence, the Villa provides eligible college students the opportunity to study abroad for a semester, year, or summer. The Villa also invites Georgetown alumni, parents, students, and friends to participate on various study tours which focus on the art and culture of Italy.
• Your Way to Florence
  Since 1996 Your Way to Florence is the right way to find the best resources about the city of Florence, or Firenze in Italian, the Chianti area and the Tuscany region (Italy). In Your Way to Florence you can find a wide choice of accommodations: hotels, bed and breakfasts,holiday homes and apartment rentals, villas, farmhouses... You can find also a lot of useful tourist information (consulates, markets, temperatures, timetables, restaurants...) and all about art and history (Florence history, museums, churches, itineraries...), tourist services (guided tours, car rental, driving & wine tasting tours, museum tickets reservation...), weddings in Florence and Tuscany, Italian schools, hand made in Florence, art galleries...