How do you go about getting a guide? Will we see advertisement when we are in Florence for one?

There are several different ways to get a private guide. Your hotel will be able to suggest one--if you like, you can e-mail or call them for suggestions before you go. Another way is to go to the website slowtrav.com and click on the Italy tab--then look for classified ads and tour guides. There are lots there and the message board on that website can give you some reviews. You can always google the subject . If you put in Tuscany private tour you get a ton of sites. Have fun!

We are packing and tomorrow is the day. We really appreciate all the great suggestions.

Don't Miss The World's Oldest Pharmacy Founded In 1221!
 

My "don't miss" suggestion is Farmacia di Santa Maria Novella, which was founded in 1221 and was open to the public in 1612!

It is FASCINATING and smells unbelievable...like a medieval Aveda store!
Just a short stroll from the Santa Maria Novella church and central train station.

Official website: http://www.italian.it/santamarianovella/smnuk.htm

Other great information:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...52C0A960948260

http://www.designboom.com/eng/trend/...ianovella.html

Florence was fantastic, Vivoli's really was that good! We did it all. Tuscany was more than I could of hoped for. We stayed at a bed and breakfast not to far from Radda, in Lucarelli-very nice. Wine tasting everyday. Views were great. Two days in Vada by the sea. A wonderful vacation.

Glad to hear you had a great trip to Florence ^

Now you should post your trip into details in the Trip Reports forum. Pictures are always good ;)

Must get a leather jacket!
 

Okay, I know.....the art is AMAZING! I concur...Ufizi Museum and also don't miss Michel Angelo's "David"....breathtaking!

In addition to the art, invest in a beautiful leather jacket. Florence has some of the highest quality leather in the world. I purchased a coat length, black leather jacket about 4 years ago for about $550 US dollars. I would've paid at least $1,500 in the US. The great news is...any item over $500 US dollars you get all the Italy tax refunded on your credit card.

Upon departure, go to the tax reimbursement booth at the airport, show your receipt, fill out the forms & in about 3 weeks, your credit card will be credited for all the jacket's tax...quite a chunk of money.

Before security, put on your jacket (don't claim it as a purchase) and you're good to go!

Enjoy Florence! One of my fav's! ^ ^ :)

I truly don't understand why anyone would choose to go to McDonalds when they are visiting overseas. :confused:

This is soooo not nice! :D I'm craving some good Italian gilato right now!

Si! Gli Itialiani are all about La Bella Figura! :)

1. Very good expresso for €1 (including a sweet roll in the morning)
2. Bathrooms
3. Mmmmmmmm? I can't think of any more. ;)

We wanted to meet up with a friend of my wife one day a few years ago; she's Florentine, had three young kids (ages 4 to 9). They absolutely insisted that the only place they were willing to go for lunch was that Scottish Restaurant, so that's where we went.

:(

Someone had said don't go to any restaurant that has a menu in many languages. We stuck to that and had great meals, but we were never sure what we were ordering, especially in small towns. We gave each other thumbs up whenever the order arrived. Part of the charm of Italy-no bad food,