Florence, Italy + Add a trip

Science museum

The Science Museum in Florence is really good for science fans - lots of authentic old instruments of Galileo, Newton etc. Also cool optics demonstrations.

Rent a bicycle

Cycling is a great way to explore the city.

I rode alongside the riverbank, across the river, on small streets, stone pavements etc. I got my bearing pretty quickly and not need a map to get around afterwards.

I paid 7.5 euros for 5 hours from Florence by Bike on Via San Zanobi.

Central market for lunch

Got to the central market; OK it's full of stalls selling leather to the tourists, but behind them is the central market hall, full of great food shops, and some great cafes for a quick authentic lunch.

Boboli

Make sure you go to the Boboli gardens, just south of the Arno near Santa Croce, absolutely beautiful. Part of the Pitti Palace.

where to sleep, where to eat and where to catch a red sox game

The Antica Torre di via Tornabuoni is a great place to stay if you like more apartment style living and value a roof deck bar with the panoramic views across the roof tops of Florence. I can personally recommend room 503 as it has a large private terrace.

If you're hungry for dinner, around the corner from the hotel is the Parione. I can recommend it based on great food and minimal to non-existant tourist infestation. They do speak english, but this is truly a local Italian resturant. The night we were there we were the only people speaking english over the table in the whole place (and if you like that, you'll like Parione).

And btw... if you care about silly american sports... they can be found at the "house of sizzle" (insert joke here) and the Lions Fountain Irish Pub. They both have mlb, nba and nfl and you can call ahead for schedules.

view of ponte vecchio

last week I was there and my boyfriend who is brazilian, was almost crying with emotion looking at the sunset at ponte vecchio...very romantic!

Lunch in Florence at Market

Le Volpi e l'Uva

An absolutely fantastic wine bar south of the river. They make the best crostini and have wonderful local wines. Great prices.

Il Santo Bevitore is a great neighborhood restaurant with the most delish dishes and a decent prices. It's always packed and the next door wine /cheese bar is as popular. Reservations is to recommend as this place is popular among the locals.

Pugi

1/2 block to the Piazza San Marco (also a major bus stop), on the south side of the square. There is probably a stream of customers waiting to be served but the pizzas and focaccia bread are heavenly and they are not expensive.

The Segway Experience Tour and Cruiser Bike Tour are the most appropriate to visit the entire historical center of Florence in less time then simply walking, from the Dome of Brunelleschi to the Uffizi Gallery, from the Belly Button of Florence, the modern Republic Square, to the unique square of Santa Croce. The CRUISER BIKE TOUR are very cool and comfortable to discover Florence with your Family!

After the museums, the monuments and the art, enjoy an exclusive Wine & Cheese Tasting in a typical wine bar located in the heart of Florence. Also included is a detailed explanation of the various flavors and background of the history. Enjoy some of the many delicious tastes of the Tuscany region.

For more information please visit www.italysegwaytours.com

Le Cascine Park... to get some relief from the real hot spring that we are having now in Florence. Originally owned by the Medici family for hunting, now is the largest public park in Florence

check it out http://u.nu/7fh7

ciao!!

There is plenty to do in Florence and the entire region of Tuscany. Something really cool and diferent from just the normal museums and tourist attractions would be touring Tuscany on a Vespa! You depart from your hotel or where ever you are staying in the morning and tour the area according to the itinerary you create! Also, you get to enjoy a traditional Tuscan lunch! So fun and so amazing! I totally recommend it!

Check out more details at the website! http://www.turismo.intoscana.it/intoscana2/export/TurismoRTen/sito-TurismoRTen/Contenuti/pacchetti_vacanze/visualizza_asset.html_28861545.html

another good option to discover Florence by bike would be www.italycruiserbiketours.com

The statue of David is here - usually the original (you can tell because it is missing one of its toes). There are two replicas in Florence.

Unfortunately you are not allowed to take photographs of the original. It is worth seeing - it is fantastic.