First of all, I would like to say that Florence is someplace, where I want to come back again and again. And did it already several times - so here is the best from my experience of visiting this unforgettable, historical and truthfully Italian place.
We have booked Hotel Principe, which already was owned by Italian family for 100 years and situated in Palazzo (something like Florence city-castle-residence of Nobel family in Middle ages and later). Here you can definitely feel the spirit of Florence. One of Apartment even have a bath from single peace of Marble, used by the last King of Italy!!
Best Hotel to stay in atmosphere of Florence. scroll to see famous bath.
I need to say, that Florence is very comfortable and you can arrive there by train. Hotel Principe is only maximum 7-10 minutes to go from train station of Florence. Train station is situated in center, so everything is reachable very fast. No own car is needed for Florence. And after visiting it you can always travel by train to us (Innsbruck, Austria:). Please always check timetable, delays and platforms (especially if you need to change train) in App Omio. Italian web-site do not show it. Also this App you can use for booking of tickets. Don not forget to stamp your tickets in Train or in Bus! Otherwise you will get big penalties.
Florence. Duomo of Florence. Palazzo Vecchio.
First day we have visited center and make a big walk around - with tour called Best of Florence from Viator. And I can say it is really best in very proper way to explore Florence. Tour included skip-the-line tickets to Duomo (to be honest - line is really long and started even in low season from 8 am), also skip the line to visit Michelangelo's 'David, and Academy. Full of stories and places to get first impression from Florence. Link to tour.
Florence. Golden Bridge, Panoramic views. Scroll to see all pictures.
After we get to lunch. I would not advice where to eat, as everyone now has its own presences. We have had our lunch near Hotel in Ristorante Pizzeria Maso. Good price-quality ratio and English speaking very friendly waiters! Another nice local place from 1907 is Caffe Gamberini. I really loved it!
If you meat eater, so I would definitely recommend to try Florentine Steak. That you can find in many restaurants in center. If you have some food allergy, then may be visiting of Simbiosi Organic will worth. Also I recommend to try Tagliatelle tartuf.
The panoramic bar on the pictures (from 15:00 to 23:00) is located in Hotel Palazzo Guadagni (check pictures!) , you can find it with in google maps here.
In Italy in restaurants you can meet as perfect service as completely opposite in 5 start rating restaurant). So lower your expectations about service!
In evening I would recommend to visit Sunset from Panoramic Platform of Florence at Piazzale Michelangelo. Many tourist coming to this place every evening, so be prepared to get there earlier enough to get place on stairs. But it worth. It is very beautiful. Here is the link to Platform in Google Maps. I would recommend to take taxi (10-15 Euro in 2022) to get up there so you will not be lost in tiny streets of Florence and not so tired and then get down by foot. On the way back you will not be alone and it could be really fun!
Next day we decided to take one of next 2 tours:
Which one we have took, you will get know in next post) Because for this place we need separate one!
P.S.: Forget to say, that some of self-guided walking tours incl. tickets in Uffizi Gallery we wanted to get also here, but sure for next time!
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