florence - italy

Flights to Florence often land at Pisa....try if you are able, to spend time pre or post visit, to quickly see the sights. Alternatively a train from the airport through the Tuscan countryside takes you to the main station on a one hour journey to the centre of Florence. Make sure to book a return ticket to avoid the long queues and slow service in Florence, on your return. Roads are very congested, buses and taxis are a no no, unless you want to waste both time and money.

Try and stay in the centre for ease of movement. The hotel......is a quick walk from the station. Unimposing from the outside, clean and simple on the inside, with compact?

Taster Tours

The perfect hotel to step out and be in the centre of the action, to stroll and wander amongst the must see sights. However Florence is a really busy place, you need to have a plan alongside a very reliable tourist guide book. Those wished for visits and sights need to be booked in advance.....pre arrival ......or be prepared to be very disappointed.

A great way to travel and gain a helicopter view of all the sights, away from the footfall of the busy streets, is to take a seat on the top of the hop on / off bus. The route takes in the outer sights of Pisa and helps to orientate and decide where you wish to target.

Time to Linger

Turn right out of the hotel and right again and arrive at the daily leather market. Leather goods to suit all needs and pockets, being sold by those enthusiastic and experienced vendors. If jewellery and art is of interest,  the Ponte Vecchio bridge is a haven of choice for temptation. Go early to be able to saunter and gaze. Piazza Della Passera and its narrow cobbled streets have workshops filled with skilled craftsmen.......often happy to chat about their work and demonstrate their wares and skill. Mercato Centrale is a lovely old iron and glass market, with an array of wonderful local produce on the ground floor, whilst the upstairs has been converted to an emporium of informal dining options.

Buzzy, popular, informal, with good quality food and a cheaper way of dining...what’s more everyone can be eating something different at the same time. Via Della Spada and surrounding lanes are brimming full of individual trattorias, bars, grocers and boutiques. You will find many other squares each with their own style of bars and pavement eating options. Use your nose and experience as you walk around, to winkle out those dining spots away from the tourist trail. Good value family restaurants with great tasty food still exist, half the fun is to explore and discover your very own. Splendid local produce is available in the food markets and side street shops,  to furnish those lunch time picnics.......All you need to do is find that shady nook.