Florence
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Florence - or Firenze in Italian - is a spectacular example of a well preserved medieval Italian town, where modern urban planning has succeeded in preserving the spirit and historical fabric of the downtown area. Cars and buses are largely banned from the centre - to the frustration of grumbling (and crumbling) tourists who disgorge from tour buses several hundred metres from where they want to be. Like Venice - this is the main challenge for the city - how to accommodate the huge numbers of people who visit the city from all over the world. But despite the crowds - and the heat in the summer, when the tall stone buildings and narrow streets trap the scorching heat and thicken the air - the medieval streets and alleys are well worth exploring. Most tourists stick to a well worn axis - Santa Croce to the Piazza Signoria to the Ponte Vecchio, with a detour to the Duomo and Michealangelo's David in the Accademia. You can see them coming - 50 or more led by a flag waving guide, hurriedly taking pictures before fleeing to the air conditioned comfort of the leather 'factories'.
So armed with a map, it is fairly easy to avoid them, except where you need to interesect at the main monuments. For eating, get away from this axis and find the places the Florentines eat. And at night, stay as centrally as you can, as most of the bus tours stay out of town, and the streets take on an altogether different air after dark. South of the Arno, too, around the Pitti Palace and the Piazza Santo Spirito, is much less touristed.
5 / 5
Review by editor ‘The best gelateria in Florence’Gelateria Badiani (20 Viale dei Mille, tel: 055 578 682). As hotly debated among Florentines as where to get the best artichokes in season or which is ... Read more »
5 / 5
Review by member ‘Florence’By Frank Partridge for the Independent First Published 9 August 2008 Europe's capital of Renaissance art is a great weekend break destination in ... Read more » Review by press. ‘Adventurous fun way to see Florence in a vintage fiat 500’I had a wonderful time going on a tour of Florence in a Vintage Fiat 500! If you are looking for a different ... Read more »
5 / 5
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Photo by flickr user jonrawlinson
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