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Florence, Italy
Getting in and out
Lots of trains. Train station is located 5 minutes from center.
Getting Around
Walk the whole city. It's not big. There are buses if you want though.
Things to do
See the Duomo and climb the Bell Tower. Go up in the dome of the Duomo as well if you can.
The Uffizi Gallery and the Academy. In my opinion, the only thing worth seeing in the Academy is David. But David is VERY VERY worth seeing.
Ponte Vecchio (at night and during the day for either street music and people watching or shopping)
Uffizi Plaza at night for shows
Across the river and up the hill to the large Piazza with an overview of Florence.
Continue up the hill to a pretty church.
Day trips from Florence to Pisa, Siena, Cinqueterre, or any number of other nearby locales
See the city all over again at night time (You're doing this everywhere anyways right?)
Places to Stay
The Academy Hostel. The price is high, but after ten days in Rome with no air conditioning, this place is a godsend. Located 30 seconds from the Duomo on foot. Breakfast decent continental. Very clean and comfortable with lockers.
Leonardo Hostel. Private room for 3 was comfortable, but no air conditioning like the Academy and also no breakfast. 5 minutes by foot from train station and Duomo. Also pricey. If you're going to be paying the price, stay at Academy IMO.
Places to eat
Za-Za: This slice of heaven is located near the Mercato Centrale and is the best kept secret in Florence. Pictures of celebrities cover the wall and as soon as you walk in, you'll feel like one. Za-Za is usually busy with locals so plan ahead, put your name in with the hostess, then walk around piazza for a while. The food is fantastic and the prices are good. Order the bistecca Za-Za or any pasta dish with their home-made pesto.
Gelato: DO NOT BUY gelato anywhere near the Duomo. It'll be over-priced and not as good. Find your way through the alleys to Gelateria GROM… it's the best in town. Also, quick tip: to judge a gelateria, look at the banana gelato. If it's gray, you've picked a good shop, if it's yellow that means there are all sorts of artificial additives in it.
Nightlife
The Nightlife in Florence is spurred by the international student population and is fun but rarely offers a unique cultural experience. BeBop has a Beatles cover band on Wednesday Nights. Its fun to grab a beer and enjoy the music. Also, in the summer check out the mega club with multiple dance floors in Parco Cascine. There are also numerous Irish Pubs in Florence; the Lion's Fountain and the Joshua Tree are favorites of students and travelers alike. Blob, YAG, YAB and Dolce Vita are also worth the trip.
Go to the plaza in front of the Medici's home near the Uffizi and there is almost always a show at night there in the summer. Concerts, ballets, etc.
Ponte Vecchio often has live music at night.
Mericana is a great nightclub with an awesome VIP section. Although, if you are looking for a uniquely Florentine experience, don't go here… it's always packed with American students.
shopping
Ponte Vecchio has lots of jewelry shops.
General Advice/Warnings
Beware of lines. There can be VERY long lines for Uffizi, Academy, and the Duomo, sometimes lasting several hours. It's possible to buy tickets and make reservations in advance for the museums. However, during the height of summer, I have heard of people waiting hours and also of people waiting 5 minutes. My suggestion? Just make the reservations and then you don't have to worry about it.
