3 Nights in Fabulous Florence

Florence is the birthplace of Italian Renaissance Art and home to some of the greatest art galleries and museums in the world. It is a thriving and vibrant city and at the same time, the true meaning of the word "culture". If you have one day, three days, or even a week - there are many things that should not be missed in Florence. During my three nights in Florence, I had the opportunity to explore beautiful galleries, churches, markets, gardens, and also eat among the locals. I would say that out of all the cities I visited in Italy, Florence was my absolute favourite. It is small but compact and the locals are extremely friendly. The highlights of my stay had to be the Uffizi Gallery and my sunset walks along Ponte Vecchio and Piazza Michelangelo. A trip to Italy isn't complete without visiting Florence!

Quick Tips:

Florence isn't cheap and unless you're in the city during Italy's Culture Week (where museums, galleries, and archaeological sites in Italy are free), expect to spend quite a bit of money on admission everywhere. I was lucky to have spent all three full days in Florence without paying admission anywhere due to the fact that we were there during Culture Week.

If you expect to visit either or both Uffizi Gallery and/or the Accademia, reserve your tickets three months ahead of time - no matter what time of the day or even what month of the year! The lines are brutal and you'll be kicking yourself for wasting so much time waiting in the lines! You can reserve tickets with Firenze Musei by calling this number: +39 055294883. Keep in mind of the time differences and you'll be required to pay a €3 reservation fee (per person). While it's a small price to pay, you'll save yourself a lot of time and trouble (and sanity)!

Best Way To Get Around:

Florence, unfortunately, has no metro/underground systems as seen in Milan and Rome. It does have an extensive bus transport system (ATAF). The main bus hub is at the train station Santa Maria Novella.

You can purchase a handful bus tickets at the train station if you plan on taking the bus quite a bit. Tickets are €1.20 each but if you purchase tickets ON the bus itself, it is €2 I believe. You can save money by buying a predetermined amount of tickets at a ticket booth outside SMN train station at the bus depot. Aside from 1-hour tickets, there are also day passes, 3-day passes and monthly passes. Always keep tickets on you for local shops that sell them shut down around 7pm.

When you use a ticket, stamp it using the stamp on the bus but the ticket is good for 1 hour after stamping. Keep in mind that the bus system is based on a honesty system. Bus drivers don't normally check tickets/ask you to pay for one. However, there will be plain-clothes inspectors that hop on board to check everyone for tickets. A lot of budget travellers save money by not paying for tickets at all. It is not recommended but I'm told that it's a common practice by both travellers and locals alike. If you plan on doing this, keep in mind that if you're caught, you will be required to pay a large fine.

Tip: It's a good idea to know the bus # and your stop (street and #) when boarding the bus. Florence's streets are not always marked clearly and buses often go too fast for you to even notice. Don't be afraid to ask a local for help - they'll usually point out when your stop is approaching without hesitation.

If your hotel/hostel is right in central Florence, walking is the best way to get around. Many sights are clustered together and/or within walking distance. It is the most efficient way of getting from Point A to Point B and at the same time, you'll be getting the best of Florence!

B&B Maison is a quaint place near the heart of Florence. The two people who manage the place - Sylvia and Rolando are very efficient and good at what they do. They aim to make sure their guests are comfortable and will not hesitate to help you with anything. We booked a private double room with them in the shoulder season (May 2007) and the room was really pretty - lots of colourful fabrics and unique art pieces. We were on the budget so we opted to share a bathroom with the other guests although there are rooms that have private ensuites. I was really impressed with my room because it was a lot more modern than I would have expected it to be and the room was quite big and spacious.

There is free complementary breakfast every morning in the B&B's kitchen. Sylvia and Rolando are avid wine drinkers so don't be surprised if you are offered a nice glass of wine and have a sit-down with them and other paying guests. It's well worth it and you are sure to make a friend or two while staying there. There is free Internet but only one computer to share. The shared communal bathroom is large and spacious with a great big bathtub and shower. The only problem I had with the bathroom was that the water pressure wasn't the greatest but the managers assured me that they were planning to fix it soon.

Our room faced the street so there were lots of traffic noise at night but it didn't bother me too much. One of the rooms is faced towards the other side so make sure you ask for that room. The B&B is actually a 15-20 minute walk to the Duomo but the good thing is that there is a bus stop right in front of the building and it'll get you to the train station or any other place in little to no time at all. There is plenty of banks, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets and parks within short walking distance of B&B Maison. It is located in the Piazza della Liberta area. Take Bus No. 25 from Santa Maria Novella train station and get off at stop Via Bolognese 1.

I really enjoyed my time in Florence. I met several other travellers and I had an awesome time hanging out with them. The B&B appeals to people of all ages - we had dinner with an older, retired couple as well as conversing with college graduates and whatnot. It's really the charm and hospitality of B&B Maison that made me enjoy Florence so much. If you're on a budget, this place is well worth checking it out - we paid just under $80 for our whole room (not per person) which is a pretty good bargain compared to the hostels and expensive hotels of Florence. I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone looking for a comfortable stay in Florence!

Tito's is a popular Italian restaurant with both locals and travellers alike not too far from Piazza della Liberta. Most of their dishes have a home-cooked feel to them but look like gourmet meals. There is a wide variety of traditional Italian pasta dishes, salads, appetizers, and desserts. The restaurant is small but the interior decoration is very warm and appealing. There are lots of one-of-a-kind art works. The servers are polite and always there to get you anything. You just might find the owner of the restaurant at your table!

I started off with an appetizer in which I ordered bruschetta. It had to be the most delicious bruschetta I've ever had in my life. The tomato toppings were very fresh and juicy. For the pasta course, I ordered Tito's Homemade Noodles. It was mouth-watering pasta dish with prosciutto, peas and mushrooms and the serving was more than generous.

Tito's is a fantastic bargain for a true Italian meal. Altogether (including cover charge, bread and mineral water plus the appetizer and pasta), it cost only €13 for my dinner. If you plan on having a late dinner, it is recommended that you make a reservation because the place is packed after 8pm. I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone because if it's full of locals and has a devoted crowd of travellers, then you know the food is good and value for your money.

Basilicia di Santa Croce is one of Florence's major churches (the other highly touted church is the Duomo) and is within walking distance of the Duomo. It is extremely popular with travellers and locals alike because the church is the resting place of renowned Italians such as Michelangelo, Dante, Machiavelli, and Galileo. The exterior of the church is similar to that of the Duomo - with the same colour patterns and style. Outside the church is a huge statue of Dante, who has a tomb in the church but he is actually buried elsewhere. The real gem of Santa Croce must be the stunning Pazzi Chapel that was designed by Brunelleschi. I rather enjoyed the stunning frescoes by Giotti in Peruzzi and Bardi sections of the church.

It is a nice change of pace from the hectic atmosphere seen over at the Duomo. Santa Croce is more laid-back and has smaller crowds and therefore more of a peaceful atmosphere. It is a great way to spend your afternoon in Florence after a busy morning at the museums.

The church is open on Monday-Saturday 9:30am to 5:30pm and on Sundays from 1pm to 5:30pm. Admission is €4-5 euros although I can't remember how much I paid. You must dress conservatively to be allowed entry into the church. Ladies cannot wear shoulder-baring tops and pants/skirts above the knee. Men must dress appropriately as well. To get to Santa Croce, it's a short walk from the train station or Duomo although buses no. 13, 23 and 71 can get you there as well.

This small park is on the outskirts of Florence's medieval Fortezza da Basso which is in walking distance from the Santa Maria Novella train station. It has a beautiful pond with pretty and intricate fountains. There are a few waterfowl and avian species that consider this park to be their home.

The park is surrounded by walking trails. It's a great way to watch the sunset while being in a peaceful and quiet atmosphere and away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Florence.

If you're planning to hit a few of Florence's small parks, bring along some bread crumbs for the friendly squirrels and ducks!

The Uffizi Gallery is one of the world's premier galleries for Renaissance art. It is the home to renowned pieces such as Boticelli's "Birth of Venus", da Vinci's "Adoration of the Magi", Carravaggio's "Sacrifice of Isaac" and many more. Because the Uffizi is essentially the most popular gallery in Florence, having pre-booked tickets is a must. Without reservations, you may have to wait up to more than three hours in line. Getting reserved tickets is easy. You can use a calling card to call Firenze Musei at +39 055294883. With this number, you can also reserve tickets for the Accademia.

The Uffizi is open Tuesdays to Sundays from 8:15am to 6:50pm and closed on Mondays and holidays. It is a short walk from the train station (10 minutes) although you can take Bus No. 23 directly to the gallery. Tickets are €6.50 each and if you reserve tickets for a pre-determined date/time, you must pay an extra €3 reservation fee (per ticket). There are reduced rates for EU citizens as well. It may be wise to plan your trip to Florence (or Italy even) during Italy's Culture Week (typically in April or May and dates are announced sometimes in February of that year). During Culture Week, all Italian state-run museums, galleries, and archaeological sites are free of charge which is perfect for budget travellers looking to save money. We took advantage of that and happened to be in Florence during Culture Week and did not have to pay anything except the reservation fees so it was a huge bargain for us.

We reserved tickets for May 15 at 9:30 but we had travelled so much that we lost track of the days and instead showed up on the 16th thinking it was the 15th. However the ticket agent was sympathetic and gave us tickets at no charge (we still paid the €3 reservation fees. So let that be a lesson to you guys: always keep track of the dates! We considered ourselves lucky because the line was so long for people who didn't reserve tickets for it was already around the block! Waiting in line didn't take very long, maybe 20 minutes at the most. You are required to go through security in which they'll ask you to dispose of plastic bottles and check large bags/umbrellas. No photography is allowed whatsoever. There is an exception - you are allowed to use your camera in the part of the gallery that has a great view of Ponte Vecchio in which you can take pictures of.

During my visit, the Uffizi was crowded but it was so worth it to see the beautiful works by Botticelli (and Carravagio. I must have spent 3 hours wandering around the gallery and also purchased a few choice items in the gift shop which has everything you could imagine. If you're in Florence, you MUST visit the Uffizi. To not do so is a travesty for it's truly one of a kind!

The Boboli Gardens is housed within Palazzo Pitti and are one of the most unique gardens in Italy. It was said to be originally designed for the great Medici family. The gardens span a great distance and it would be impossible to visit every nook and cranny. Palazzo Pitti/Boboli Gardens is a short 10-15 minutes walk from the train station and/or Ponte Vecchio. There are no buses that pass the Palace but Bus No. 8, 11, 36, and 37 can drop a visitor off nearby. Check with the bus schedules and map to ensure the drop-off points are close enough for you to proceed from there.

Opening hours of the Boboli Gardens vary according to season. For the high season, it is typically open daily from 8:15am to 6:30pm. It is closed on the last Monday of every month as well as holidays. General admission to Palazzo Pitti includes Boboli Gardens, the Porcelain Gallery, Costume Gallery and Bardini Gardens. Admission is €6 with reduced rates (50%) for EU citizens. Tickets can be reserved over the phone with Firenze Musei (+39 055294883) which incurs a small reservation fee per ticket (€3). However, it is not necessary because lines are smaller than that at Uffizi/Accademia as well as fast-moving. Admission is free during Culture Week (in which we took advantage of) so I always advise budget travellers to schedule their Italy trips during then.

Boboli Gardens is not for the elderly or weak of heart. There are many slopes and stairs - often steep and laborious. Flower fans will be disappointed to see that the Gardens consist mostly of lush greeneries and hedges that make up a maze within the Gardens. Nevertheless, it is worth coming to the Gardens to admire the beautiful Renaissance statues and fountains. At the very top of the Gardens, you'll walk upon steep slopes to reach the highest point of Palazza Pitti and enjoy a beautiful view of the palace below you as well as a view of Florence! There are also a few grottos in the Gardens and while they don't match the awe-inspiring grottos of Villa Gregoriana in Tivoli - they are certainly photogenic and something unique to look at.

While I was disappointed to find that there were hardly any flowers at Boboli Gardens (You would think that any place with the word "Gardens" in it would not be short of flowers!), I did enjoy my time by having a relaxing stroll around the place. I didn't feel up to visiting the residential museums so cannot offer any insight into them. It was certainly a nice change from the overload of museums I'd been experiencing and I would recommend this to anyone with plenty of strength to tackle the awful sloping paths!

If there's any place to buy the freshest food in Florence, Mercato Centrale should be at the top of your list. It's one of Florence's oldest markets and is a covered place in the San Lorenzo area. There are many shops selling a wide variety of food in the market including both gourmet and local food items.

If you're looking to put together a packed lunch or ingredients for a dinner, you can find everything at Mercato Centrale.

Among the items sold at the market are: fresh local meat, fruits, vegetables, local cheese, truffles, grains, wine, olive oil, homemade pasta, bread products, herbs, dried fruits, and vinegars. If you purchase something from the market instead the chain supermarkets, you'll be supporting the local economy. Not to mention, you may find to a lot more cheaper as well.

If you don't have time to make a meal from scratch, there are plenty of restaurants and cafes inside Mercato Centrale although prices may be higher than similar places outside the markets.

For a true Florentian experience, I would absolutely take the time to walk around the market to see what pops out at you. Make sure you do a thorough tour before purchasing anything.

TIP: Watch your belongings in this area of Florence - there are pickpockets all around and will gladly take advantage of you! Outside the markets, there are plenty of clothing and gift stalls - try to use your bargaining skills to get a good price on items!

The Bargello was once a prison where public executions were held in Florence near the Duomo. Today, it is the home to a large extensive collection of works by Donatello. The most famous work of art in the Bargello is undoubtedly Donatello's bronze sculpture, "The David" which is the first free-standing nude sculpture.

There are other key works of art in the Bargello: the gorgeous bronze work "Sacrifice of Isaac" by Brunelleschi and Ghiberti. There are also pieces of artwork completed by del Verrochio and Michelangelo.

It is a small museum but if you're a fan of galleries and Renaissance art, this is worth your time. The Bargello is a short walk from the Duomo although you may get there via bus numbers 14, 23 and A. The museum is open Monday-Sunday from 8:15am to 1:50pm. It is closed on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Sunday as well as the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month so plan your visit efficiently.

Admission is €4 for adults although the fee was waived for me because I visited the Bargello during Italy's Culture Week in which all Italian state-run museums, galleries, and archaeological sites are free of charge.

Overall, I enjoyed my visit to the Bargello. It is not over-crowded like the Uffizi or Accademia. It is small, full of charm and has something for everybody.

This stunning church has a long and rich history. It sits in the heart of Florence. The Duomo was designed by renowned Renaissance architect Brunelleschi. The exterior of the church is covered in beautiful white and pastel colours, making it one of the most recognizable churches in the world. Parts of the church is undergoing renovations to prevent further deterioration and decay and you will often find grey stains on certain parts due to pollution. The Duomo is made up of several parts: the Cathedral, the Dome, the Bell Tower, the Archaeological Site, the Baptistery, the Museum, and the Church of San Benedetto. This is a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon in Florence although it may not be easy on your pockets. However, if you're interested in history, art or architecture, it's definitely well worth it.

The cathedral is open from 10am to 5pm on Monday-Wednesday and Fridays. It is closed 1 hour earlier on Thursdays and Saturdays. On Sundays and holidays, it is only open from 1pm to 4:45pm. The cathedral is free of charge.

If you're not afraid of heights, climbing up the dome is a fantastic experience. It costs €6 and is open daily from 8:30am to 7pm although on Saturdays, it is closed earlier as well as on holidays. Once you've tackled the dome, try to see if you can attempt climbing over 400 stairs up Giotto's Bell Tower (€6)!

I particularly enjoyed the Baptistery of San Giovanni (€3) because of the beautiful doors and rich details. It is open daily from 12pm to 7pm with early closing hours on Sundays.

While the Duomo is just as crowded as the Uffizi Gallery, the best time to go is late in the day when the crowds have disappeared for the most part. Moderate clothing is required for women are not to expose bare shoulders and knees and men must be in proper attire.

To get the best view in all of Florence, Piazzale Michelangelo is the place to go. It's one of the highest points in all of Florence and truly the best (and cheapest) place to enjoy the view, especially at sunset. Piazzalle Michelangelo is right across the river Arno and within walking distance of Ponte Vecchio/Palazzo Pitti. It's no more than a 20 minute walk from the center of Florence. If you're not a walking person, simply hop on Bus No. 12 (ideal) or 13 which passes Piazzalle Michelangelo.

Once you reach the base of Piazzale Michelangelo, you'll have to trek up steep slopes and climb rocky steps to reach the top (of course, there are stairs, this is Italy!). At the top, there is a replica of Michelangelo's "David" although it's more of a green colour due to oxidation of chemicals.

There's no better place to enjoy a picnic or canoodling with your loved one - while you enjoy panoramic views of Florence that includes the Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio, Duomo, Bargello, and many famous sights. The view is truly breathtaking and this experience (did it twice in one day - both in the afternoon and at nighttime) ranks at the top of my list during my stay in Italy.

Ponte Vecchio is truly the epitome of Florence itself. Its name means "Old Bridge" which is certainly true for it was constructed during the Romans' reign of Italy. Today, Ponte Vecchio is full of bustling activity for it is mostly home to some of Florence's oldest gold and leather shops. While it seems traditional to purchase from one of these shops, you should keep in mind that it is almost always over-priced and you can likely find a better deal elsewhere. At the same time, the items of question at the shops aren't always the best quality so you should consider looking around if you're thinking about buying jewelry or leather.

During the daytime, the crowds are huge and many people use the bridge to get across Florence's Arno river from Palazzo Vecchio to the Palazzo Pitti area. Visiting the bridge at sunset is a completely different story - the sunsets are so beautiful and you can see the glittering lights of Florence's ancient buildings alongside the river. This is definitely a photographer's dream so make sure you take time out of your schedule to visit Ponte Vecchio at sunset. The crowds are smaller but still notably busy but the atmosphere is a stark contrast to that of the daytime. Musicians and buskers come out at night to entertain the crowds. A visit to Florence isn't complete without a visit to Ponte Vecchio!

Tip No. 1: While you can watch the sunset from Ponte Vecchio, an even better idea is to go to nearby Ponte alla Grazie or Ponte Santa Trinita to take photographs of Ponte Vecchio WITH the sunset!

Tip No. 2: After enjoying the sunset, walk up to Piazza Michelangelo to enjoy all the wondrous views of Florence from the highest point in Florence. You will get many fantastic photographs of Florence and its twinkling lights.