FIRENZE
Florence, Italy
Latitude: 43° 46' 45.30" N // Longitude: 11° 14' 46.54" E
For most people, Florence is the iconic statue of David and impressive building of the Duomo. As I'm more of the walking type, I often skip these main attractions and landmarks, which always includes a huge waiting line. And I walk instead. I walked the narrow cobbled streets, breathing the essence of 14-century renaissance. I walked across the bridges over the Arno river, there and back. Up the hill, through the gardens, blown away by the wind and the view. And then back to the streets for a comforting cup of espresso and glass of red wine before heading back, on the train.
12-hours guide to Florence
First off, go to one of the markets (Market Centrale) to buy some nice local food for breakfast. Eat it in the market hall with your first espresso of the day. Take your time. Check the rest of the market, do some shopping and continue with a walk towards Basilica Santa Maria del Fiore (maybe go up and see the roofs), then go to see fake David at Palazzo Vecchio and Ponte Vecchio bridge. Navigate through the crowds and cross the bridge to the other side of the city. Buy a slice of pizza in one of the small streets "windows take away", trust your instincts, the smell and your eyes. If its filled with workers having there their break, it's a good sign. With some re-stored energy walk through Boboli Gardens and then to the Michaelangelo Piazalle to have a look from above.
Go down, cross the other bridge. Find a cosy coffee place and plan your afternoon. More walking? Picnic in the rose gardens with sun setting over the city? Some shopping? Somewhere in between try a quintessentially Florentine sandwich lambredotto. But be prepared that you might toss in the rubbish like I did. It's just one of those things - either you love it, or hate it. . .me personally, I still remember that smell of intestines. Bon Apetite!
On the pictures: Statues on the Palazzo Vecchio and arcs leading you along the river towards Ponte Vecchio bridge.
Guide to Florence
1 VISIT MARKET - Market Centrale, San Lorenzo Market and try lambredotto, buy local cheese, prosciutto, mortadella . . .
2 SEE BASILICA SANTA MARIA DEL FIORE (skip the lines to see inside, and explore the terraces along the rooftop
3 SEE FAKE DAVID at Palazzo Vecchio (for me as good as real one)
4 WALK ACROSS PONTE VECCHIO to other side of river Arno, where you can find less touristy part of Florence
5 VISIT BOBOLI GARDENS - a park that is home to a collection of sculptures dating from the 16th through the 18th centuries
6 SEE TOWN FROM ABOVE - go to Michalengelo Piazalle
7 TRY LAMBREDOTTO a traditional sandwich, originally a meal of poor, probably only sold in Florence. Made with for hours braised cow-stomach. You have to have a stomach for that. I didn't. But it is still worth a try - made me remember the old forgotten smell of cooked insides of the pig. I bet my father would love it.
Nice places to have a drink or meal
DITTA ARTIGIANALE - coffee, small dishes, cosy lively atmosphere. Unfortunately, lot of times it's full. Completely.
ADDRESS: Via dei Neri, 32/R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
OPEN: MON-THUR 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., FRI 8:00 - 12:00 p.m., SAT 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., SUN 9:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
DITTA ARTIGIANALE, RESTAURANT - both pizzeria and ristorante, serving very nice food
ADDRESS: Via dello Sprone, 5/R, 50121 Firenze FI, Italy
OPEN: MON-THUR 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., FRI 8:00 - 12:00 p.m., SAT 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., SUN 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
LA MENAGERE - coffee / bistro / bar / concept restaurant / flower shop - see my little review here
ADDRESS: Via de 'Ginori 8/R, 50123 Firenze, Italy
CONTACT: tel: + 39 055 075 0600, email: info@lamenagere.it, web: http://www.lamenagere.it/
OPEN: MON-SUN 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
ALL' ANTICO VINAIO - one of the best sandwiches in town, which is only confirmed by the fact that there are actually three of them lined up on one street, so just choose the shorter queue. They have a board with five favourite types, but all of them can be customized. The price is always 5 eur. As simple as that.
ADDRESS: Via dei Neri, 74/R, 50100 Firenze FI, Italy
OPEN: SUN - FRI 10:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m., SAT 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Taidekappeli is located on the island of Hirvensalo, far outside the city. Surrounded by spruces and pines, where the wooded hills rise from the flat fields.