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Florence -- the Paris of Italy

A December 1999 trip to Florence by Go Girl! Best of IgoUgo

The car!!More Photos

I ventured to Florence for the first time for a Christmas get away (I left the day after x-mas). The city reminded me of Paris the instant I arrived. It's romantic, magical and breath-taking.

  • 7 reviews
  • 8 photos

Florence -- the Paris of ItalyBest of IgoUgo

Overview

While I took in several of the tourist attractions I must say I enjoyed the restaurants the most. La Cucina Toscana is amazing and any local restaurant served up the best of dishes.

I had an amazing experience while in Florence. I had a friend who was from Florence but we had fallen out of touch. Every cafe I passed, every building I walked by, I wondered if he were inside. On my third evening in Florence, wanting badly to experience the nightlife, I exited my hotel and a block away I ran into him. It was fate. He took me all around Florence. That evening we attended a restaurant opening, danced until 3 in the morning and visited a neighborhing town. So when I think of Florence, I think of magic.

Quick Tips:

Take the buses -- it's an easy and cheap way to see the city.

Best Way To Get Around:

Hotel Villa LibertyBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

The car!!
This charming house is out of town a bit, but still a nice walk into town or better yet just jump on a bus. It has an adorable little electric car that the owner will let you take into town if you're in a bind and really need to use it. The rooms have high ceilings, but are rather small. The breakfast was rather impressive -- included eggs, cheese, sausage, -- the works. I enjoyed the hotel, but I may try another place when I return. It wasn't cheap and it wasn't quite as charming as I had expected (but don't get me wrong, it was nice).
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Go Girl! on October 11, 2000

Hotel Villa Liberty
VIALE MICHELANGELO 40 Florence, Italy 50125
39-055-6810581

Trattoria Za ZaBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Za Za
This little restaurant came highly recommended, but it was rather crowded and noisy -- for a good reason: the food was amazing. The service, however, was far from perfect. It was so good though that I would return in a second!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Go Girl! on October 11, 2000

Trattoria Za Za
Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 26r Florence, Italy
+39 (055) 215411

Borgo AnticoBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This amazing 'left bank' restaurant is simply said -- TO DIE FOR!!! Eventhough I was there in the winter, people were still sitting outside taking in the beautiful view of the church of Santo Spirito. The food was simply amazing. I can't recommend this place enough!!!!!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Go Girl! on October 11, 2000

Borgo Antico
Piazza Santo Spirito, 6r Florence, Italy 50125
+39 055210437

Ice Skating in Plazza Saint CroceBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The Rink in Piazza Saint Croce
It was amazing, especially since it wasn't that cold outside. It was cool, but not freezing so it made it more enjoyable. Do watch out -- this seems to be a popular spot with the kids. They seem to rule this spot.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Go Girl! on October 11, 2000

Ice Skating in Plazza Saint Croce
Plazza Saint Croce Florence, Italy

Florence TourBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "All The Sights are worth seeing"

The Parade
Let how much time you have determine how much of Florence's attractions you can see. While I usually prefer to relax and enjoy the spirit of a city, I also wanted to check out the major sights since this was my first trip to Florence. The Duomo is impressive and amazing, The Uffizi Gallery is everything I had been told, the Ponti Vecchio is old and a total tourist trap. I didn't spend a lot of time doing all the touristy things, but I'm glad I saw what I did.

Traveling during Christmas was magical because I stumbled into many wonderful religious parades and ceremonies, (eventhough I had no idea of the religious or cultural significance of what I was witnessing - it was still magical). Nonetheless, it was interesting. I've included a few pictures of a religious parade I came across. The costumes were amazing.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Go Girl! on October 11, 2000

Florence Tour
Florence, Italy

Florence TourBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Oltrarno"

Santo Spirtio
'The other side of the Arno' -- Le Oltraarno, is often referred to as the city's left bank. It has long been the alternative location for artist and artisans for centuries, but escalating costs today are slowly changing the neighborhood's dynamics. The nightlife that revolves around the outdoor bars and restaurants of the tree-shaded Piazza Santa Spirito. If I lived in Florence, I'd want to live in this bohemian area.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Go Girl! on October 11, 2000

Florence Tour
Florence, Italy

About the Writer

Go Girl!
Go Girl!
Chicago, California

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