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)
- Basilica of San Lorenso & Medici Chapels (Michelangelo)
- Serial Killer Museum (closed)
- Accademia (David statue)
- Lunch & walk by Piazza Del Mecato Centrale
- Pitti Palace:
- The Porcelain Museum
- The Boboli Gardens (1,3,4,5pm for Grotta Buontalenti)
- The Costume Gallery
- The 'Museo degli Argenti' (The Medici Treasury)
- Oltrarno Walk:
- Basilica of Santo Spirito
- Gelato by the bridge and watch sunset
- Dinner @ Cammillo* in Oltrarno (need 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)
- Galileo Science Museum
- Renaissance Walk through heart of old town:
- Palazzo Vecchio & walk across Ponte Vecchio to Santa Trinity Bridge
- Lunch by Republica
- Baptistery of S. Giovanni
- Climb the Giotto's Bell Tower (Campanile di Giotto) (go during sunset and on the hour when bell rings)
- Drinks & sunset @ rooftop of Continentale Firenze*
- Walk through Duomo, past by Dante museum (didn't go in)
- Dinner @ Nin Hao (definitely 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 Academia ticket online with a scheduled time slot to avoid a long wait
