Florence (Firenze) is called the city of arts, an open-air museum and the birthplace of the Renaissance. Over the course of several eras, many outstanding figures of science and art lived and worked here, leaving an indelible mark on the map of Florence. Therefore, the city is a must-see for those interested in the culture and history of Italy. Planning independent travel to the capital of Tuscany, the question will certainly arise in what Florence area Is it better to settle down to make your stay here as comfortable as possible?
The city is small, so a traveler can stay in almost any area of the city and can walk to most of Florence’s attractions. In the capital of Tuscany there is not even such a thing as a “outskirts”, from which it would take a long time to get there. The districts are divided into “historic center” and “near the center”. The difference in price is insignificant, and if you take care of accommodation in advance, there will be no difference at all.
So, which district is better? stay in Florence? It all depends on the places you want to see most. Administratively, the city is divided into 4 districts: Santa Maria Novella, San Marco, San Giovanni and Olortano, but they are practically not used here. It is much more common to use a conditional division into areas that have formed around the most important attractions.
District of San Lorenzo
The area is formed around the Church of San Lorenzo. Nearby are also: Palazzo Vecchio, the monastery of San Marco, the tomb of the Medici family. The famous central market is also located here, which is definitely worth a visit. Since ancient times it has been considered the commercial and artistic center of Florence. There are many restaurants in these places with authentic Tuscan cuisine.
Palazzo Vecchio
Santa Croce area
This area of Florence is formed around the Square and the Church of the Holy Cross (Santa Croce). It is considered the core of the historical center of Florence. In the blocks nearby there are attractions: Cocchi-Serristori Palace, Palazzo dell'Antella, Palazzo Corner-Spinelli, Giorgio Vasari's house.
Church of the Holy Cross
District Oltrarno
The only area that coincides with both the conventional and administrative division is located on the left bank of the Arno River, which flows on the city map from right to left. The biggest attraction here is the Pitti Palace. Nearby are the Church of the Holy Spirit (Basilica di Santo Spirito), the Church of Santa Maria del Carmine, the Ponte Vecchio bridge, the Boboli Gardens. Local restaurants and craft shops can be considered a separate attraction. The spirit of real Italy reigns everywhere.
Ponte Vecchio Bridge
Area Coverciano
The Coverciano district is located in the northeast of Florence, on the right bank of the Arno. The main attractions here are: the Church of St. Mary, the Church of St. Catharine of Siena, the Church of San Bartolomeo Gignoro.
St. Mary's Church
Tornabuoni street area
Tornabuoni is not even a district, but rather a separate quarter in the historical center of Florence. The quarter received its name from the nearby Tornabuoni Palace (Palazzo Tornabuoni). It starts from Piazza Antinori and reaches Piazza Santa Trinità. Nearby are the Spini Feroni Palace, the Gianfigliazzi Tower, and the Strozzi Palace. Most of the most expensive stores are located here.
In general, shopping streets are scattered throughout the city center and from one to another you will need to walk a little. Streets that are located outside the Tornabuoni quarter, but which are worth visiting later, are Piazza C. Goldoni, Via Por Santa Maria, Via del Calazaiuo, Via del Corso, Via del Studio.
Useful links for organizing your trip to Florence
Use the search for cheap air tickets from aviasales.ru. To do this, you can use the search form directly on our website:
To find a place to stay, use our convenient search for cheap hotels in Florence.
The quality of hotels in Florence practically does not depend on the location on the map and, on average, is slightly worse than in the rest of Europe. It’s better not to save money if you suddenly find that you can find it cheaper than you planned. You should rely not so much on the price, but mainly on the reviews of other tourists. If you come to Florence for just a couple of days, then good place In terms of price/proximity to the center, the railway station area is the best. Although in many cities this is the noisiest and dirtiest place, but not in Florence.
3* hotels will cost an average of 90 euros per night. You can save a little and get the same level of comfort for 60 euros if you rent an apartment. This is the bottom bar. The upper threshold is difficult to define. For a lot of money, Italians are ready to settle you in almost royal apartments. You will get a huge area, amazing interiors in an old mansion, the best location and view from the window. You can find everything your heart desires, or you can ignore the living conditions, walk around all day enjoying the city and stay in a hostel for 20 euros. The choice is yours.
Too, too many travelers perceive Florence (Firenze) only as a place where it is enough to devote one single day, and that is dedicated to queuing at the Uffizi Gallery. In my opinion, to do this is to see nothing at all in Florence and completely ruin your entire impression of the city. This article is dedicated to those who are thoughtful and inspired about the capital of Tuscany and are going to slowly and thoroughly walk around it all, without missing a single attraction, spending several days and nights here. Next, we will consider the main aspects of choosing a hotel in Florence.
Which area of Florence to stay in?
A traveler who arrived in Florence by train to the Firenze S.M. Novella, meets one of the facades of the church of the same name Santa Maria Novella and nearby hotels, the windows of which overlook the round station Piazza della Stazione. On the one hand, Florence Station is an important transport hub and a key point for those who want to explore Tuscany using public transport. Therefore, choosing a hotel somewhere nearby is quite possible, especially since the prices are quite reasonable. On the other hand, the place here is lively, not to say noisy. Therefore, it is important that the windows of the rooms face the courtyard (most ancient Florentine buildings cannot boast of double-glazed windows). It’s also quite convenient to explore the city’s beauties from here: the Duomo (or Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore) is about 12–15 minutes on foot, the Ponte Vecchio is a little more than 20 minutes, shopping streets are also located nearby. A list of hotels located in the station area can be found.
Located very close Santa Maria Novella area(Santa Maria Novella). Despite the proximity to the railway station, this area is considered prestigious - there are a number of expensive hotels here, for example, Hotel L’Orologio or Grand Hotel Baglioni. A detailed list of hotels (including more budget ones) where you can stay near the Church of Santa Maria Novella can be found. If you book rooms on the upper floors in hotels in this area, there is a high probability that the windows will open beautiful views on the red tiled roofs of the surrounding palaces and the dome of the Duomo. However, in fairness it is worth noting that in the historical center many hotels can boast of a similar panorama from their windows.
A couple of blocks closer to the Arno River there is an even more prestigious area - Ognisanti Square(Piazza Ognissanti). The views from here are breathtaking: the main postcard symbol of Florence - the Ponte Vecchio bridge - is on the right, the river and colorful palazzos are straight ahead. Perhaps this is where the most expensive hotels in Florence are located, for example, The Westin Excelsior - one of the few five-star hotels in Florence. It takes about ten minutes at a leisurely pace to reach the Duomo and the bridge.
The very heart of Florence - the neighborhoods around Duomo(Duomo) cathedral Florence. During the day the place is crowded with tourists, who are brought in for day trips in large buses and driven in groups from the Duomo to Piazza della Signoria, but in the evening these streets are delightfully empty, and you can feel like a local resident. There are many hotels here, there is plenty to choose from. Many hotels are located in real Florentine palazzos, for example Hotel Pierre or Hotel Calzaiuoli, however, there are no other buildings in the center of Florence. For other hotels to stay in the Duomo area, see. From here it’s a stone’s throw to almost all the city’s attractions, shops are nearby and closest to the only large grocery supermarket in the entire center. Perhaps the only thing you should take a closer look at when choosing a place to stay is whether your hotel is too close to the Church of San Lorenzo, in front of which from early morning there is a noisy market selling signature Florentine leather goods - it is still a bit noisy there.
On the other side of the Ponte Vecchio bridge There are also quite a few hotels, although there are much fewer of them than “on this side”. Apparently, it is considered that by the standards of little Florence it is far from attractions and the station. But some hotels, like Park Palace, boast beautiful views of Florence, the Boboli Gardens (Giardino di Boboli) or even have their own park. Hotels located near the Boboli Gardens can be found.
Few cities in Italy can boast of surviving medieval towers. Once upon a time there were dozens of such towers in Florence. Warring families hid in them from their neighbors, whenever possible, pouring boiling water on them and showering them with arrows. This confrontation continued until the Medici came to power in Florence and ordered the demolition of all the towers. Miraculously, several of them have survived in the city, and hotels have been opened in some of the towers. For example, it is worth paying attention to NH Collection Firenze Porta Rossa and Hotel Pitti Palace.
Features of Florence hotels
And a little about the everyday features of hotels in Florence. One of the main problems is that the sockets do not match our plugs. Some hotels have sockets both Italian standard (three holes in a row) and universal (side holes with thickening). Most “light” electrical equipment (chargers, some power supplies) can easily be plugged into Italian sockets. The problem with a laptop, iron and hair dryer is easily solved: you can buy an adapter at the nearest Chinese store.
Formally, smoking in public places is prohibited in Europe, but it is often in Italy smoking is frowned upon, and almost half of the hotel rooms are for smokers. If you are traveling to Florence in the summer, you should choose hotels where the rooms have air conditioning, otherwise it will be very hot and stuffy.
As I already wrote, almost everything hotels in the historical center are located in ancient buildings, which affects the size of rooms and bathrooms (often they are very small). In addition, the hotel may not have an elevator, and the stairs may be quite narrow - two adults can barely pass. If you are going to travel from/to Florence by car, you should definitely check whether the hotel has its own parking lot and how much it costs - often there may be no parking, or its cost is comparable to the cost of a room in an inexpensive hotel. Be sure to also read the reviews of tourists about the hotel - only there you will find out about the quality of breakfast, what kind of plumbing (new or old) is in the rooms, whether it is noisy on the street, etc.
To those who want go to the Uffizi Gallery, it is worth knowing that tickets to the gallery can usually be purchased from the receptionist, rather than standing in line at the gallery itself.
To summarize: Florence is a small city with a fairly compact historical center, and almost every area has its pros and cons (for example, the pros of hotels in Piazza Ognisanti are good location and views, the cons are very high prices). Therefore, you need to focus on your budget and carefully consider what tourists who have already visited this or that hotel write, understanding for yourself whether the described disadvantages are disadvantages for you personally (for example, for me a small elevator and lack of parking is not a disadvantage, but for some this is important).
Realnoe Vremya is making a map of the emigration of Tatarstan residents and finding out what it’s like to live and work in another country.
Ekaterina Ch. (surname not indicated at the request of the interlocutor, - approx. ed.) has been living in Florence for 3.5 years. She moved from Kazan to Italy to study graphic design and photography. She spoke specifically for the Realnoe Vremya project about the similarities between Florence and Kazan, the “bonuses” of divorce from Italians, difficulties in finding work and entertainment, which are practically non-existent in the city.
Background
I studied at KSU as a historian. I graduated at the age of 21. Afterwards she worked in Kazan, in an environmental company. Here, it seems, my fiancé has already pecked at me. But I was young, I thought - what kind of marriage? I want to see the world!
By that time, I realized that I wanted to do design. My parents told me - provide the second higher education for yourself. But you need to earn money first. And I went to the States to work on ships. I figured out how much my studies would cost me, and I worked purposefully for five years.
During this time, I definitely understood: I want to study design in Florence. It was then, thanks to my work on ships, that I became acquainted with Italy for the first time and immediately fell in love with it.
But when I had already paid for everything and arrived, I thought: “God, where am I?”
First impression
In the first six months after moving there is euphoria: everything is fine with you, you feel good. Then reality sets in. When faced with bureaucracy and medical issues, many people start to freak out about it. They say, here in Russia we have this and that. But then you remember that you chose this country yourself. Yes, it is different, but you won’t be able to change it to fit your own rules. You can only buy a plane ticket and fly away.
After some time, you finally get the hang of it and start enjoying it. A glass of red wine with lunch becomes a normal thing. Life in Italy teaches you to close your eyes to many things, to be measured, and to some extent to go with the flow. There is no need to rush anywhere: being late there is in the order of things, they will understand you. You can come and just apologize.
Italians track the change of seasons using the solar calendar. So autumn begins on September 21, winter on December 21, spring on March 21, and summer on June 21. Moreover, all these changes of seasons are really felt: in the summer until September 21 you can safely swim, and after that it is much colder.
As for cities, the most expensive place to live is Milan. To me, it looks like Moscow. Rome reminds me of St. Petersburg, and Florence reminds me of Kazan. I won’t even recommend Venice for living: there is a lot of humidity and crowds of tourists.
“The most expensive place to live is in Milan. To me, it looks like Moscow.” Photo tochka-na-karte.ru
Options for obtaining a residence permit
Studies - good way stay in the country. The second option is to get married. But there is no need to rush into this: if something goes wrong and you have to get a divorce, the process will drag on for two years. But the Italian pays his wife benefits for the rest of his or her life after a divorce. But you shouldn’t count on this, because you still need to be able to marry an Italian.
And another opportunity to stay in the country is to open your own business. There are no taxes collected for a year, but then you will have to pay them. Therefore, many people open one business, and a year later - a new one. Taxes are high, almost 50% of profits. WITH individuals They also take decent pictures. About 30% is deducted from my salary.
You can also get a work visa, but this is difficult.
Residence permits
When you come to Italy, not as a tourist, you apply for a Permesso di soggiorno (residence permit). It can be different: Permesso di lavoro - for work, Permesso di studio - for students. Each permesso gives certain rights to work.
Permesso di studio allows you to work temporarily, no more than 40 hours a week. Di lavoro gives you the opportunity to work more hours and has the advantage of free medical care (this is not the case with students).
Of course, you don’t have to apply for a permesso, but with this card you can easily travel throughout the country, throughout Europe, and get a job. You can't get a job anywhere with a regular student visa.
To complete the documents, you need to go to the post office. You pay for insurance (about 80 euros) and postal services. Permesso registration costs approximately 300 euros. Then you go to Questura - hand over a photograph, copies of documents, if required. And there they give you a piece of paper, according to which on a certain day you go to give fingerprints.
Three years ago, fingerprints were not taken, and you could get a permesso in a couple of months. Now with these terrorist attacks everything has become tougher. Now you need to wait at least six months. While you are waiting for your documents, a temporary “paper” is issued. But it’s almost impossible to get a job with her.
You can try to sneak into some bar and work illegally. Illegals are usually not hired because if caught, the company will have to pay huge fines.
“Of course, you don’t have to apply for a permesso, but with this card you can easily travel throughout the country, throughout Europe, and get a job.” Photo vipcalabria.ru
Housing
I was lucky - I quickly found girls with whom to rent an apartment. While I was looking for work, we lived in an apartment with two rooms (a living room combined with a kitchen and a separate bedroom). My friend lived in a separate room and paid a little more, and I paid a little less and lived in the living room. When I already found a part-time job, we moved to new apartment. Each of us had our own room with a toilet right in the room. Moreover, we paid for this all 900 euros for two. Plus it was a condominium. A condominium is when you pay for cleaning the entrance. This option may or may not be included on invoices.
Sometimes you can remove the monolocale or palazzo. My friend rents a monolocale (a small apartment of 20 square meters with a small room). She pays about 450 euros plus utilities. But usually they don’t like to accommodate students, especially Americans, because they are reckless. Landlords are afraid of all kinds of parties, parties - God forbid, there won't be any problems later.
I also had a period when I lived alone in palazzo frescobaldi for six months. I had monolocale. I paid 500 euros for this (all inclusive) plus 20 euros per month for light.
Renting a room in a large apartment is always cheaper. Universities also help students find housing. But it is better not to respond to offers “especially for students” - the prices for such apartments are usually greatly inflated.
They take out mortgages in Italy, but slowly. When there were lyres, everything was wonderful. Now the market is standing. I have a friend who cannot sell his villa. They are bought, but mostly by foreigners. Italians themselves prefer to rent housing because property taxes are high.
Housing and communal services
For gas and electricity meters, receipts arrive once every two months, for water - once every four months. Electricity costs around 80 euros. Water for 1 cubic meter is about 2 euros. Heating in Italy is mainly gas, sometimes central. On average, in Tuscany in the summer you pay about 60-80 euros for gas.
In winter, all costs increase: electricity will be around 100 euros, and you have to pay about 200-300 euros for gas. This is provided that the boiler only works in the morning and evening. In this case, the air in the apartment will not warm up above 20 degrees. If you want to live like in Africa, you will have to pay at least 500 euros for heating.
The big problem for Italy is that it is cold in winter. You need to prepare for the fact that the temperature in the apartment will be about +18. Now my fiance and I live in a four-room apartment. It needs to be warmed up, so the boiler works almost constantly. But the temperature still does not rise above 21 degrees.
“Italians prefer to rent houses because property taxes are high”
Language barrier
When I first arrived, I could only speak a few words in Italian, I mostly used « Google » -translator. During the 3.5 years that I have been living in Florence, I have mainly used English language and I barely speak Italian. Of course, I learn the language, communicate with colleagues for practice, but mostly I communicate in English.
Italy is geared towards tourists. There are businesses all around that are aimed specifically at visitors. So if you speak Russian and Italian, your chance of finding a job is less than if you speak English and Russian. To apply for a place in large company, which works for export, it is better to speak (except Russian, if you are from Russia) Italian and English.
Free courses Italian language There is. But here you need to be prepared to work together with migrants, of whom there are much more than before.
Job
They will hire you even with a student permit. In my experience, I didn’t work 40 hours a week with a student permit, but it worked out to be more.
You can find a part-time job if you only know Russian and English. There are many tourists from Russia. The euro seems to be falling, Russian tourists are returning to the country again - so employees with Russian are required.
In Italy there are three main types of employment contracts:
- A chiamata - they call, say that there is an opportunity to work for a couple of hours - and you come.
- Tempo determinato is the end date of the work contract. Such an agreement allows you to open a bank account, go to doctor’s appointments for free, and complete documents (di lavoro). It's not that easy to get. Italy has its own quotas for hiring foreigners. They need to be monitored and submitted on time. A lawyer decided this issue for me.
- Contratto indeterminato - a contract without an expiration date. It can lead to dismissal, but the employer must at least compensate for the payments required in such cases under the Italian labor code. And this costs a pretty penny for the company. So it’s easier for companies to either keep an employee on staff or force him to resign. The employer also gives sick leave and pays maternity leave. But the maternity leave lasts only 6 months.
Payment in Italy is hourly. In Florence, you can get at least about 6.5 net euros per hour of work. For going out on holidays, of course, the pay is higher. There are bonuses: 13th and 14th salary. The 14th is half the earnings. So in general, income depends on the amount of time worked. If you work less, you will get less.
“Nothing is open on weekends, supermarkets close at 21:00. Didn't have time? All. There are no 24-hour stores. On holidays, many shops and pharmacies are closed. None of the Italians want to recycle and will not.” Photo italia-ru.com
If you work part time [part-time], you can receive 400-600 euros per month. If it’s a full day, on average it comes out to 1000-1200 euros net. If you work in a large company, then salaries can start from 2000 euros.
The working day starts at different times. It all depends on the company: it can start at 8, 9, or 10 o’clock. I work in a jewelry store. We have coffee breaks of 15 minutes in the morning and evening, plus 30 minutes for lunch. It may be different in other companies. For example, kiosks selling vegetables and meat are open from 8 to 11-12 am, then close and open at 5 pm. That is, while others are at work, they are closed. It's the same with pharmacies.
Nothing is open on weekends, supermarkets close at 21:00. Didn't have time? All. There are no 24-hour stores. On holidays, many shops and pharmacies are closed. None of the Italians want or will recycle. On the one hand, this is good. On the other hand, why complain about the crisis then?
Medicine
If the annual income is less than 60 thousand euros, medicine is free for such a resident of the country. If a doctor prescribes medications, they will be free or at a big discount.
If my attending physician refers me to another specialist and he prescribes me medications, then I will have a discount on the purchase of drugs. Let's say if the tablets cost about 15-20 euros, thanks to the discount I will only pay 4 euros for them. But if I went to my doctor and he prescribed the medicine, the pills would be free.
But you still need to make an appointment. And wait. In Russia, usually a doctor always sees you in one clinic. In Italy, in one place a doctor may see three times a week before lunch, and in another three times a week after lunch.
For example, now I have an appointment for an ultrasound. I was given the referral in November or December. I go to the pharmacy to make an appointment. And they tell me that there is only a free appointment for the summer, come back later, maybe something will become available. I came two weeks later and a place became available for February. But I will be conducting the research not in the same place where my doctor sits, but in a different place. Of course, you can go to a paid clinic. But either you will go for an ultrasound of the kidneys for 0 euros, or for 90.
You can make an appointment both in pharmacies and in special terminals. To register you need a special card - Tessera sanitaria. This is health insurance. To apply for it, you need to go to ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale - local sanitary service): fill out the paperwork, choose a doctor. After registration, it is sent to your home.
“If the annual income is less than 60 thousand euros, medicine for such a resident of the country is free. If a doctor prescribes medications, they will be free or at a big discount.” Photo: doctorleskov.blogspot.ru
This card allows you to buy cigarettes at an electronic tobacco kiosk at night. The country has an anti-tobacco law, according to which tobacco and cigarettes are sold in special kiosks. By the way, they are expensive. One pack costs 5-6 euros. But I don't smoke, so this is irrelevant for me.
Tessera sanitaria is not given to students for free. I applied for it when I already received a work visa. Of course, it can be done with a student visa, but you will have to pay about 200 euros. It seems to me that you simply “will not get sick” with this money: in three years I only went to the doctor twice. The insurance that we take out within the university covers the ambulance.
If you need to see a doctor, you need to go to Misericordia, and if you need emergency care, then to Guardia medica (the local ambulance also brings patients here). Since I have Tessera sanitaria, the service in both places is free for me.
There are also paid medical centers. Students and tourists usually go there. There, a doctor's appointment will cost 50 euros, and if you go to the emergency room, you will pay only 20 euros. The difference is significant, but few people know about it.
Transport
In Florence, you practically do not spend money on transport: everything is nearby. So it's enough to have a bike.
Public transport is well developed, but it only works until 23:00. After 24:00 you can’t go anywhere. Tickets for public transport need to buy at tabaccheria. Tabaccheria is a place where you buy cigarettes, magazines, souvenirs. They resemble Russian Rospechat stalls.
You can buy a ticket for one trip (1.2 euros), a pass for 10 trips (10 euros), 20 trips or for the whole month (30 euros). You can also buy a ticket on the bus. But, firstly, it will cost 2 euros, and secondly, tickets may simply not be available.
If you buy a pass for 20 trips, in fact you can use it 21 times. There is a 30-trip pass that allows you to take an additional 5 trips for free. The savings are big, the card is valid for a year from the moment of activation. If you travel often, you can buy a monthly pass.
Of course, you can take a risk and try to ride as a hare. But sometimes inspectors come on the route. If the violator is caught, you will have to pay a fine of about 50 euros.
Buses travel every 5-10 minutes in the morning, and in the late afternoon - every 15-20 minutes. Unlike Rome and Milan, we do not have a metro, but the city authorities are developing a tram network.
“Unlike Rome and Milan, we do not have a metro, but the city authorities are developing a tram network.” Photo transphoto.ru
Cars are usually bought by those who live outside the city or who have a long way to go to work. Owning a car is expensive. Parking is paid. You'll probably pay 20 euros in a day. Hourly payment will cost 2.5 euros/hour. Plus they still need to be found.
Recently a man parked next to me. There was a place, but he didn’t have enough space, so he “backed” the car away from other cars and sat down. And this is basically normal there. So then you will also have to pay for repairs. In addition, Italy has a high transport tax.
And taxis in Florence are expensive. There is one taxi service for the whole city. If it’s raining or thundering, you won’t be able to reach them by phone.
Leisure
There is nothing else to do in Florence other than go somewhere to eat. Movie? There is only one English-language cinema. It shows one movie three days in a row three times a day. Italian films premiere so often that they can be quickly found on the Internet. All sorts of bowling alleys - only outside the city. There are many exhibitions, but the exhibitions are updated every 3-4 months. In fact, the only entertainment is to travel to other cities.
You can go to the gym. I have now found one similar to our “Planet Fitness” (including a swimming pool). I paid 840 euros per year for membership. And if I went to a small center without a pool, I would pay about 400 for six months.
Native Italians prefer to run their own businesses, for example, opening restaurants. But there are not enough offers from the service sector. For example, finding a good manicurist or pedicurist is a big problem (the girls will understand me). There is no hardware manicure here. Everything is done by hand, and mostly of poor quality. It is very difficult to find a specialist whose hands are “in the right place.”
If you are going to get a haircut, it is better not to say that you need to wash your hair. They will charge 20 euros for this alone. A haircut with coloring will cost about another 100 euros. Just a haircut - about 50-60 euros. When I come to Tatarstan, I first run to all the doctors, get tested (in Russia it’s faster) and go to beauty salons.
“In Florence, there is nothing else to do except go somewhere to eat.” Photo travel.tochka.net
Italians
Men here love flirting, it's in their blood. He cares, says compliments - and it begins to seem that the man has fallen in love, but in fact he is just playing with the girl. Here men love Russian girls. We are much more feminine than Italian women.
In Italy you always need to keep a level head and take your time to fall in love. If a man pursues a woman, perhaps his interest is real. In general, they flirt a lot. All they say is noodles that remain on the ears. Of course, there are exceptions. I found love, and I’m not alone.
Italians are not used to saving. They will not save their last money. They will go buy a cocktail or a glass of red wine. Or better yet, they will borrow and re-borrow and will not repay the debt.
But because of the ease with which Italians approach problems and work, you get the feeling that you are not just existing, but living!
Online newspaper "Real Time"
Today I would like to tell you about , a city that attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists to look at its divine beauty. I would like to talk about how you can have a great vacation and what...
Where to stay in Florence
If you decide to spend your holidays in Florence, in this section you will find a short list of the best hotels for your unforgettable holiday in the city of the Renaissance.
In fact, there are more than 450 hotels in Florence, ready to satisfy every need, accessible to every pocket. Full list You will find hotels on the famous travel portal Booking.com.
By train
You can also get to Florence by train from the Trenitalia railway company. Trains from major cities Italy arrive at the main city station, Santa Maria Novella, conveniently located in the city center. The next most important train station in Florence is Campo di Marte, where some intercity trains and trains arrive.
Once I tried an alcoholic Italian dessert called cantucci con Vin santo. As I was told, this is one of the “typical” Italian dishes. I don’t recommend getting carried away in large quantities. What it looks like: they bring you on a plate the cantucci themselves, which are sweet oblong-shaped crackers with nuts, and the wine itself, which is also sweet and very strong. You simply soak the cracker in this wine and enjoy.
I was told one story that is directly related to this dish: one foreigner was given a pack of these cantuchi (they can be bought in any store) and a bottle as a gift. A couple of days later he is asked how he and his family liked this Italian dish. To which he replied that he felt bad for several days, and he would never eat it again in his life. It turned out that our poor foreigner took a large bowl, dumped all the crackers into it, and poured a bottle of wine. He took a spoon and began to devour both cheeks in countless quantities along with the whole family! As you can see, you need to know when to stop!
. Photo risette.pourfemme.it
I’ll tell you about another simple Tuscan dish: prosciutto con melone. So, there is no need to cook melon with ham! Neatly sliced ham with pieces of melon are served on a plate. Before this, I would never have thought that these things could in any way be used together. I loved it!
Prosciutto con melone. Simple and Tuscan! Photo: pischeblog.com
Where to eat in Florence?
We offer you the Top 5 best restaurants and bars in Florence ( average cost), according to traveler reviews posted on TripAdvisor.
1. All "Antico Vinaio- Via De" Neri 65/R 74/R, 50122 Florence, Italy
“In between visits to museums, I was very pleased to plunge into the friendly atmosphere of a Florentine shop. The abundance of delicious smells and Italian flavor all created a unique atmosphere of little Italy. I included ingredients of my choice in the sandwich and complemented everything with a glass of red wine. It took some time Not much, although there was a crowd of people around the shop. If you are in Florence, I definitely recommend stopping by here." (Nina S. St. Petersburg, Russia)
2. I" Pizzacchiere- Via S. Miniato 1/2, 50125 Florence, Italy
"A small place with the most wonderful pizza. The owner takes orders and communicates nicely with customers. Sometimes you have to wait a little while to get a table fresh air, but this one is not at all difficult. If I'm in the city I'll definitely come back here again." (pz_90_un, Moscow)
3. Cacio Vino Trallalla- Borgo SS. Apostoli 29R, 50123 Florence, Italy
“A small place with a wide selection of wines and delicious sandwiches, it’s especially pleasant here in the evening” (Villiwein, St. Petersburg)
4. La Prosciutteria- Via dei Neri 54, 50122 Florence, Italy
"Cool restaurant. Italian atmosphere... Great place to relax and try Italian wine, delicious prosciutto, different cheeses... I recommend it!!!" (Lusin A)
5. Dal Barone- Borgo San Lorenzo 30/r, 50123 Florence, Italy
“Very sophisticated place, a lot of different dishes that are hard to find in Florence, I especially liked the meat plate with sandwiches and caviar” (Villiwein, St. Petersburg).
How to spend time in Florence? Tourism or study?
It all depends, of course, on what you plan to do on your vacation. I mean whether you like an active and educational lifestyle or prefer leisurely walks.
To Florence to study
If you plan to come there for language courses, the school will help you find a room. There are several options here: you can rent an entire apartment, a room in an apartment where students will also live next door, or live with an Italian family. I think that the last option is largely suitable for all those who are going to Italy for the first time, want to get acquainted with the culture and customs, and, of course, with Italian cuisine. An Italian family will help you figure out simple questions, for example, where to buy bus tickets, where is the best place to go, in the end, where is the store, etc.
Florence, photo Thinkstock
By the way, regarding grocery stores: you don’t need to think that you will find supermarkets in the city center, say, near the cathedral. As you understand, Florence is no different from other European cities, so the shops are located a little further from the historical center. Many Florentines prefer COOP, and there is also Billa.
- Own a passato remoto.
- Know how to use congiuntivo.
- Italian pure pronunciation, which, as you understand, can be heard in.
I’ll probably tell you a truth that many of you know: today Italian schoolchildren do not know and do not use passato remoto (in principle, this time is only needed to read works of fiction), replacing it with passato prossimo.
Oh, this is passato remoto - the thunderstorm of modern schoolchildren. Photo: ilgur.com
About long and short distance travel
Wearing museums and galleries? Want to just take a walk? I suggest you go to the area. Not far from it is the old city wall - Fortezza. In the summer, around mid-July, the celebration of fortezi begins. What does it mean? Inside the fortress there are restaurants, not only with Tuscan cuisine, but also Argentinean, Asian... There is a choice for even the most picky guest. You can also buy a new bag or wallet there. After dinner you can buy your favorite book (there is a book exhibition there). You can warm up not only spiritually, but also physically by going to a disco to dance.
Fortezza. Holidays take place outside its walls. Photo toscanaviva.com
No, what kind of vacation is it without shopping? I won’t tell you about the shops, because they are on every street, and you will definitely find what you like!
I also advise you to travel around. Visit, ... Many tourists strive in the summer to those cities where the sea is located nearby. I assure you, it is not that far from Florence to the sea. Of course, it’s worth looking for the perfect place for an even sea tan. I would recommend combining a trip to Pisa (see the Leaning Tower and Piazza dei Miracoli) with a trip to the sea - you will need to travel a couple of stops by bus and get to Marina di Pisa. How about going to see Chinque Terre and sunbathing on the beaches there?
Marina di Pisa. An even sea tan awaits you! comune.pisa.it
During your main stay in Florence, you can also go on long distance trips, for example, to,. You can organize trips yourself or take advantage of offers from local travel agencies.
Discover Florence!
Today we will learn how to choose and book a good 4-star hotel in the center of Florence. IN this review There will be only four hotels, without unnecessary options and compromises. I personally stayed in two, and the rest were included in the review based on recommendations from clients and readers. ITALY FOR ME.
Florence is a fairly small and compact city, and most are within walking distance. Unlike Rome, where I recommend many other than (Termini), in Florence you need to look for a hotel as close as possible to the Santa Maria Novella station.
- Read:
We got off the train, after 100-300 meters we found ourselves at the reception, threw our things into the room and went for a walk. The main attractions are 5 minutes on foot, the bridge is 15 minutes.
Despite the fact that you can easily get around the whole of Florence in 2-3 hours, I recommend spending at least 2-3 days here - going to, visiting palaces, climbing, just wandering through the atmospheric streets and tasting. Get inspired and enjoy the city.
The best, in my opinion, 4-star hotels are located right next to the Santa Maria Novella station. Please note that the cost of accommodation depends on the time for which you book (earlier is cheaper) and the season. So, let's go.
C-Hotels Ambasciatori
Dear reader, to find an answer to any question about holidays in Italy, use. I answer all questions in the comments under the relevant articles at least once a day. Your guide in Italy Artur Yakutsevich.
C-Hotels Ambasciatori – I stayed at this hotel in April 2015 with Agnes and Carson, who flew to Italy on honeymoon. It is located right next to the exit from the station, which is incredibly convenient. I was pleasantly surprised by the selection of pastries at breakfast and the ambiance of the hotel. A special mention goes to the lounge area on the second floor, where you can while away more than one evening in the good company of friends. An aperitivo costs 10 euros and includes a glass of beer or wine plus an unlimited number of snacks to choose from. The more expensive rooms on the upper floors open great view overlooking the city, but you can spend the night in a regular one - cozy and comfortable.
- Cost of living: from 180 to 400 euros/day for a double room, in low season and when booking a couple of months in advance, discounts up to 50%
Update: in December 2016 I returned to this hotel and it again met all our expectations.
Atlantic Palace
Atlantic Palace – We stayed at this hotel for 4 days/3 nights in August 2015 with my parents while traveling in Italy.
I was impressed by the location of the hotel and the cost of rooms in the high season (only 170 euros/day), since in August in other options from this review the prices started from 500 euros per night. The staff spoke a little Russian, but tried their best. The Internet worked in one room out of 2, but everything was compensated by the view from the window of the cathedral and the cozy atmosphere of the rooms.
- Cost of living: from 150 to 449 euros/day for a double room
Grand Hotel Minerva
Grand Hotel Minerva - the hotel was recommended to me by many friends and tourists, and the average rating of 8.8 on booking once again confirms the quality of this accommodation option. One of the main advantages is the rooftop swimming pool overlooking the dome of the main cathedral of Florence.
Located next to the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria Novella on the square of the same name, 300 meters from the station. The only thing that is stopping me from booking this hotel so far is the cost of the rooms, which in the high season from May to October cheerfully starts from 500 euros. If your budget allows, don’t even hesitate - this is the best option.
Grand Hotel Baglioni – luxury and dream. Just imagine what it would be like to have breakfast on a terrace with such a view? The hotel opened in 1903, located in the former palace of Prince Carrega Bertolini, in whose chambers the rooms are located. Reviews with a rating of 9.2, Russian-speaking staff and an adequate price for the room - be sure to take a closer look at this accommodation option.
- Cost of living: from 266 to 361 euros/day for a double room
Congratulations, you are now an expert on holidays and booking 4 star hotels in Florence. Recommend the article to your friends, share your experience in the comments.
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