If you want a sneak peak and don't mind the guts and gore, take a trip to your local flickers to see Hannibal. Much of the movie takes place there and there are some good shots. And then there are some good "shots."

BA GOLD --

I went during low season so we thought there would be no line, and we skipped getting the tix beforehand -- wrong move, we waited in line approx. 45 mins. I do not know what it would be liketo buy ahead of time. If the hotel has its own e-mail drop them a line, or ask the Lurker or someone at Starwood, how they can help you. I was not too impressed with the location of the Excelsior, but others have felt that it was a wonderful property. It is not too far from the Pitti Palace (which we did not need tix in advance for). It was the Uffizzi.


Man or woman cannot live by shopping alone --but we sure could try!!

If you have any other questions, I will try to be of assistance.

Regards,

D2B

[This message has been edited by DOC 2 BE (edited 03-11-2001).]

Adding to the previous "shopping" posts: the stalls referred to are in, what they call, the open air market. You can't miss it as it appears to run right through the center of town -- anyway that's what it seemed like to me because the more I walked, the more I ended up in the same place!! And indeed the prices there are excellent, even if the dollar is now down.

Some random comparison USD-ITL rates (interbank):

One USD =

2/14/00 1963.42
8/14/00 2143.00
10/26/00 2338.64
11/23/00 2296.00
2/14/01 2102.59

The Duomo is worth going inside, but I wouldn't spend too long. Most of the intresting stuff has been removed and placed in the Cathedral Works Museum (definately worth seeing), which is across the street from the back of the Duomo.

As for climbing to the top of the Dome, if you want to do it, I'd suggest climbing the Campanile instead if it has a shorter line. The view is about the same.

The Baptistry in front of the Duomo has a beautiful ceiling.

Santa Croce is interesting. A lot of tombs in there - its kind of a Who's Who of Italy in a sense.

As for the Uffizi Gallery and The Galleria Accadmia (with the David and the Slaves), there both incredible. There a phone number you can call for reservations, which I would highly recommend. I can try to dig it up for you if you'd like.

There's a science museum right behind the Uffizi that's a little off the beaten path. Lots of interesting stuff on Galileo and astronomy. It also has a very cool collection of old maps and globes.

Thanx Sea-Flyer,



[This message has been edited by DOC 2 BE (edited 03-11-2001).]

bagold: Depends on your preferred style of travel. If you enjoy seeing a packing a lot of interesting sights into a trip, especially in a place that you might never get back to, you could squeeze a side trip in. If, on the other hand, you like to get a feel for a place, 2 days are barely enough for Florence, one of the great art cities of the world.

I've been to Florence twice for 5 days, both times with intentions of side trips to places like Siena and San Gimignano. I loved Florence so much that I couldn't bring myself to leave, not even for a little trip to Fiesole, either time.

I agree with all the suggestions above. There are so many great things to see and do in Florence, especially if you're interested in art and architecture. One thing that no one's mentioned that's one of my favorites is taking up a walk up the hill to Piazzale Michelangelo, which overlooks Florence. The walk itself is lovely, but the view is phenomenal, one which I'll never forget. You get a feel for the scale and greatness of the Duomo that's hard to get when you're standing closer to it.

Both of my trips to Florence were quite a while ago, though, and another issue may factor into your decision to stick around. I've been told by lots of people who've been to Florence in the last 10 years that it's become inundated with motorbikes, to the point of it being difficult to walk and not as enjoyable as in the past. That wasn't my experience, but it's been 12 or 13 years since my last time there. Anyone care to comment on this?

re Siena vs. Fiesole

For a day trip, Siena wins, hands-down, for all of the reasons fallinasleep listed. I'd agree completely with the 1-day-in-Florence, 1-day-in-Siena plan.

Fiesole would be an interesting 2- or 3-hour side trip for the breathtaking view, especially just before sunset or at sunrise.

I'd recommend the opposite. See the movie after you return. You don't want to spend your days in Florence worried about what might happen as you round every corner... or where you step.

Fallinasleep, how far is Siena from Florence, and is public transportaion available? I will traveling up from Rome in early May, and was also going to do a 2 night stay in Florence, perhaps I should plan as side trip as well!

For your quick trip I add my recommendation to get your museum tickets ahead of time. This will save you precious time.

For your quick trip I add my recommendation to get your museum tickets ahead of time. This will save you precious time.

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Bene e Pace (Peace and Blessings),
Paula

Bingo night at the VFW is always a pretty happening time.

Oh wait, you're probably talking about the other Florence --- the one over in Italy...


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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."

I'm having a tough time remembering exactly how long the ride was, but it wasn't very long. In nine days five years ago, I went soley on public transport from Rome to Siena to Florence to Bologna to Venice to Milan... Three days each in Rome and Venice, one day in Siena, one and a half in Florence and a half day to see the main plaza in Bologna (where the food was delicious!). I flew out of Milan but not before taking a quick look a the Duomo there.

Here is a timetable for the Siena-Firenze bus (there are many options). It appears that it is only 75 minutes away if you take the fast bus and there is frequent service.

Here is a good general link to the town of Siena.
http://www.turismoverde.com/english/enhome.htm


I would also recommend pre-ordering tickets to the Uffizi (if that is possible now). I must have spent more than an hour on line in late March, and then you can easily spend a good half day inside the galleries. That is why I say skip the Uffizi unless you really love Renaissance art (I personally prefer the outdoor architecture in Florence more). The crowds really take away from the experience of seeing the art. So, if you go, go as early as possible.



[This message has been edited by fallinasleep (edited 02-14-2001).]

Now I thought we talking about Florence, Alabama!



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Bene e Pace (Peace and Blessings),
Paula