MUST-HAVE GUIDE TO FLORENCE Go Inspired - Traveling guides TOP FLORENCE ATTRACTIONS Broaden your horizons with Go Inspired’s unique travel programs. www.goinspired.com [email protected] MUST-HAVE GUIDE TO FLORENCE TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Fun facts about Florence page 3 2. Top Florence attractions page 4 3. Restaurants page 9 4. Gelaterias page 12 5. Tips & Suggestions page 14 6. Recommended Websites page 15 Go Inspired Traveling Guides Page 2 MUST-HAVE GUIDE TO FLORENCE 1 Fun facts about Florence According to UNESCO, almost a third of the world’s art treasures reside in Florence - not bad for such a small city. The main viewing galleries include the Uffizi, the Bargello and the Academy. Specialties of Florentine cuisine include tripe - the stomach lining from a cow – and slightly more appetizingly, bistecca alla Fiorentina, an enormous, char-grilled t-bone steak. After torrential rainfall in November 1966, the River Arno rose more than 5.2 meters. In two days 35 people were killed and hundreds left homeless as the city, and many of its treasures, was engulfed by silt, sewerage and water. ‘Mud Angels’ as they came to be known, flew in from around the world to help with the massive clean-up and restoration process. The Duomo in Florence is the 3rd largest in the world (behind St.Peter’s Basilica in Rome and St. Paul’s in London). Between the 13th and 18th centuries, lions were kept in a den in front of the Duomo for the amusement of the citizens and became the symbol of independence for Florence. You can see this proud symbol engraved on every cornerstone and doorstep of the Ponte Vecchio. Florence became the first city in Europe with paved streets instead of just wood or rock. The first paved streets were built in 1339. Florence Nightingale, an English nurse, was born in and named after the city of Florence. Dante Aligheri, a native Florentine, is credited with creating the standard Italian language that the entire country uses to this day in his native Florentine dialect. The Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge in Florence that survived World War II. Hitler said it was too beautiful to destroy. Go Inspired Traveling Guides Page 3 MUST-HAVE GUIDE TO FLORENCE 2 Top Florence Attractions Florence is filled with incredible sights. It is hard to see everything so we put Buona together a list to guide you in exploring Fortuna! Florence. Florence is a fascinating place so don’t just rush to see the sights. Feel the life in Florence! Go Inspired Traveling Guides Page 4 MUST-HAVE GUIDE TO FLORENCE 1. Il Duomo - Cathedral days (others were of Santa Maria del Fiore: destroyed in World War II). Florence's most popular The Ponte Vecchio is still site is its Duomo lined with shops selling (cathedral), the Cattedrale gold and silver jewelry. de Santa Maria del Fiore. From the bridge, you'll The huge Gothic duomo have a great view along was begun in 1296, the Arno River and consecrated in 1436, and beyond. holds 20,000 people. Its 3. Tour the Uffizi exterior, made of green, Gallery: The Galleria degli pink, and white marble, Uffizi holds the world's has several elaborate most important collection doors and interesting of Renaissance art but it's statues. Inside, also Italy's most crowded Brunelleschi's Dome is a museum so it's a good masterpiece of idea to buy tickets ahead construction. (You can buy to avoid long ticket lines. a ticket to the top-463 The Uffizi holds thousands steps). Early mornings and of paintings from medieval early evenings are when to modern times and many the line is the shortest. antique sculptures, 2. Ponte Vecchio: The illuminations, and Ponte Vecchio (old bridge), tapestries. Artists whose built in 1345, was works you'll see include Florence's first bridge Michelangelo, Giotto, across the Arno River and Botticelli, Leonardo da is the only surviving bridge Vinci, Perugino, and from Florence's medieval Raphael. days (others were destroyed in World War II). Go InspiredThe Traveling Ponte Vecchio Guides is still Page 5 lined with shops selling MUST-HAVE GUIDE TO FLORENCE 4. Galleria dell’ Academia: hillside in the middle of Florence's Galleria dell' Florence behind the Pitti Academia holds important Palace. Here you'll find paintings and sculptures beautiful gardens and from the 13th-16th fountains and a great view centuries. Michelangelo's of Florence from the Forte David, probably the most Belvedere. Open daily at famous sculpture in the 8:15am (except some world, is in the Galleria Mondays in winter) with dell' Academia as well as seasonal closing times. other sculptures by European students bring Michelangelo. You'll also your student ID for find an interesting discounts. collection of musical The Pitti Palace- Florence's instruments, begun by the largest palazzo, was once Medici family. Always long the seat of the Medici lines so either go early in family. You can visit 8 the morning or late in the different galleries, including afternoon or buy tickets in art, costumes, jewelry, and advance. (In the summer, apartments. they often have passes to go at night. These passes allow you to get an aperitif while enjoying the museum when it isn’t full of tourists.) 5. Boboli Garden and Pitti Palace: Cross the Ponte Vecchio to the Giardino di Boboli, a huge park on a Go Inspired Traveling Guides Page 6 MUST-HAVE GUIDE TO FLORENCE 6. Piazza Michelangelo: Be sure not to hike the steps to get a beautiful view of Florence. miss a sunset at During the summer, it is a great place to go at Piazza sunset. Bring some food Michelangelo! and drinks and take in the amazing view of the city. Florence's political center 7. Piazza della Signoria since the middle ages and and Palazzo Vecchio: Florence's town hall, the Florence's most famous medieval Palazzo Vecchio, square is Piazza della sits on the piazza. Signoria, the heart of the The palazzo contains historic center and a free elaborately decorated open-air sculpture exhibit. public rooms and private The Loggia della Signoria apartments that can be holds some important visited. Around the piazza statues including a copy of are cafes and restaurants. Michelangelo's David. The piazza has been The piazza has been Florence's political center since the middle ages and Florence's town hall, the medieval Palazzo Vecchio, sits on the piazza. The palazzo contains elaborately decorated public rooms and private apartments that can be visited. Around the piazza are cafes and restaurants. Go Inspired Traveling Guides Page 7 MUST-HAVE GUIDE TO FLORENCE 8. Piazza Santa Spirito: 9. Mercato Centrale: A The center of the artisan covered Tuscan market quarter, you will find great where you can find all the restaurants, bars as well Tuscan food that you as many local people. desire. From cheeses to Some days there is a truffles, from butchers to market where you can buy food stalls, this market has fresh vegetables. Make everything you could ever sure you check out the imagine to eat in Florence. Basilica in the piazza. Go Inspired Traveling Guides Page 8 MUST-HAVE GUIDE TO FLORENCE 3 Restaurants With amazing restaurants on every corner in Florence, we put together a Buon list of places for all types of budgets. To Apetitto! get the full “Italian experience”, make sure to try a pizza, some delicious pasta or some Tuscan red wine before your visit finishes! Go Inspired Traveling Guides Page 9 MUST-HAVE GUIDE TO FLORENCE 1. Trattoria CasaLinga 4. Acqua al 2 Via della Via dei Michelozzi, 9r Vigna Vecchia 40/r. Lots of (Santo Spirito)-very tourists but this restaurant inexpensive offers assaggi di primi (mini portions of first courses for 2. Trattoria da Mario tasting). Reservations Via Rosina 2. No credit suggested as it is always cards accepted. This quite full. noisy, busy place is a legend. 5. Teatro del Sale Via dei Macci 111r. A great place 3. Boccadama to go in the evening for Piazza Santa Croce. Lots dinner when at 9:30, there of tourists during the day is a live performance of but evening has more drama, music or comedy. locals. Advanced reservations are required. Go Inspired Traveling Guides Page 10 MUST-HAVE GUIDE TO FLORENCE 6. La Mescita Via degli required. There are 2 Alfani 70r. This is a great seatings at 7:30 and 9. inexpensive place for lunch to sample Tuscan 9. Il Vinaino Via specialties. Palazzuolo 124. An average meal is 10 euros in 7. Osteria del Gatto e la this traditional osteria. If Volpe Via Ghibellina 151r you can, try the wild boar Santa Croce. This cozy sauce! place has reasonable food 10. Da Vinattieri- Via and prices. Santa Margherita 4. In this 8. Il Latini Via dei tiny alleyway, you can Palchetti 6r. This has expect to pay about 8 amazing crostini, great euros for a meal though it pasta and Tuscan meats. only has a few stools to sit Expect to pay around 40 on outside. This Tuscan euros and reservations are bread should not be missed. T ip! T ip! One thing to be aware Sometimes you may of is the service/cover be charged for bread. charge. Restaurants If you do not want it, sometimes have these do not eat it and ask it charges added to to be removed from each person. Often, your table. tips are included. Look carefully at the bill. Go Inspired Traveling Guides Page 11 MUST-HAVE GUIDE TO FLORENCE 4 Gelaterias No trip to Italy is complete without sampling some Gelato (ice cream) Italy’s best ice cream is made in Florence so be sure to sample them.