Florence
Sept. 5 - 7, 2010 (3D2N): Leg 2 of our week-long Northern Italy trip - see Rome as Leg 1 and Venice as Leg 3. This is one of my favorite cities in the world! Just picture yourself sitting on the bridge eating gelato while watching the sunset.
Day 1
Arrive @ Santa Maria Novella station from Rome
Check-in @ Argentina Curatone (Hotel was chosen from Gate 1 Travel, skip)
Serial Killer Museum (closed)
Accademia (David statue)
Lunch & walk by Piazza Del Mercato Centrale
The Boboli Gardens (1,3,4,5pm for Grotta Buontalenti)
The 'Museo degli Argenti' (The Medici Treasury)
Oltrarno Walk:
Gelato by the bridge and watch the sunset
Dinner @ Cammillo* in Oltrarno (need a reservation, order pappardelle with hare sauce)
Day 2
Church of Santa Maria Novella (Masaccio painting) and Officina Profumo-Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella (old perfumery; free)
Renaissance Walk through the heart of the old town:
Palazzo Vecchio & walk across Ponte Vecchio to Santa Trinity Bridge
Lunch by Republica
Climb the Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto) (go during sunset and on the hour when the bell rings)
Drinks & sunset @ rooftop of Continentale Firenze*
Walk through Duomo, past Dante museum (didn't go in)
Dinner @ Nin Hao (skip; we were craving Chinese at that point of our trip)
Gelato at Santa Maria Novella Square & walk around the area
Day 3
Train to Venice
Other points of interest
Tips
When planning, please be aware of the operating days. Most attractions are closed on Monday.
Purchase the Academia ticket online with a scheduled time slot to avoid a long wait
