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Guida alla citt di Firenze

FlorenceCity Guide


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One day in FlorenceOne day in Florence: the city deserves a little longer than that, but a one-day visit will at least give you an

idea. With just one day at your disposal, you will want to see the main sites and walk around the heart o the

historic city centre.

Start rom Piazza del Duomo, where the Baptistery and the cathedral o Santa Maria del Fiore ace each

other. The cathedral was begun by Arnolo di Cambio in 1296, but it was not until 1436 that it was crow-

ned by the Cupola, Filippo Brunelleschis

masterpiece. The dome is the symbol o

Florence, a bold and majestic piece o ar-

chitecture that aords antastic views o

the city (and o the cathedral interior). On

the aade side o the cathedral is the bol-

dly coloured campanile o Giotto, which

also has fne views o the city.

In ront o the Cathedral stands the older,

Romanesque-style Baptistery o San Gio-

vanni, embellished with bronze doors byGhiberti and Andrea Pisano.

Walking along the lively Via dei Calzaiuoli,

you will pass by Orsanmichele, a 14th-

century building that started out lie as a

granary situated on the site o the ancient

oratory o San Michele. It became a pla-

ce o worship due to the munifcence o

the trade guilds which, between the 14th

and the 16th centuries, adorned it with

sculptures and paintings o the highest

standard. There are sculptural works by

Donatello, Verrocchio, Ghiberti and Nannidi Banco, amongst others.

At the ar end o Via dei Calzaiuoli you

come to Piazza della Signoria, the political

heart o the city. Palazzo della Signoria,

or Palazzo Vecchio, which is the seat o

Florence City Council besides housing a museum, was built at the end o the 13th century. As you walk into

the interior courtyard, you can admire a putto-decorated ountain by Verrocchio and rescoes by Vasari.

Also in the piazza is the 14th-century Loggia dei Lanzi, which displays amous statues such as Benvenuto

Cellinis Perseusand Giambolognas Rape of the Sabines.

Adjoining Palazzo Vecchio is the imposing Ufzi Gallery. Designed by Vasari in the 16th century as the Medici

secretariat, it is now one o the most important museums in the world. The gallery contains paintings ran-

ging rom early masters (Cimabue, Giotto) through to Mannerism, with a splendidly representative selection

A CITY GUIDE TO FLORENCE

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Guida

allacitt/CityGuide

o Renaissance art by the likes o Botticelli,

Filippo Lippi, Paolo Uccello, Leonardo da

Vinci and Michelangelo. A visit to the gal-

lery requires several hours. I you do not

have time, continue on oot towards PonteVecchio, another symbol o the city, which

has survived wars and ooding. Since the

16th century, the buildings on the bridge

have been occupied by goldsmiths.

Crossing the bridge, you fnd yoursel di l

dArno, that is, beyond the Arno, an impor-

tant notion in Florence. O the our historic

neighbourhoods, three (San Giovanni, San-

ta Maria Novella and Santa Croce) are north

o the river, while just one, Santo Spirito,

is on the let bank. The main thoroughare

continuing on rom Ponte Vecchio will bring

you to Piazza Pitti, which is dominated by

the aade o the majestic Palazzo Pitti. O

15th-century origin, it was acquired by Eleo-

nora, the wie o Cosimo I, and became the new residence o the Medici amily, who had previously been in

Palazzo della Signoria. It was enlarged and embellished with a magnifcent park, the Boboli Gardens. Palazzo

Pitti houses a cluster o dierent museums, one o which are the gardens themselves. I you still have some

time, head towards Piazza Santo Spirito, where you can soak up the lively atmosphere o this corner o the

city. The neighbourhood is packed with crat trades, and has a very authentic eel to it. Piazza Santo Spirito,

one o the ew piazzas in the city with trees in it, is overlooked by beautiul palazzos and by the church of

Santo Spirito, which was designed by Filippo Brunelleschi in 1444. Besides the pure architectural lines o the

aade, the church also boasts a number o important artworks.


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Longer stays in Florence

I you are in Florence or a longer stay, or have vi-

sited the city beore, the ollowing are some urther

places o interest you may wish to explore.

At the rear o Piazza del Duomo is the Museo del-

lOpera del Duomo, which houses all the works

rom the Cathedral, such as parts o the original

aade or sculptures produced or it, including a

wooden Mary Magdaleneby Donatello and a Piet

by Michelangelo.

Walking along Via del Proconsolo you come to Pa-

lazzo Nonfnito, an incomplete (hence the name)

work by Buontalenti. Inside is the interesting

Anthropology Section o the Museum of Natu-

ral History. A little urther on is the 13th-century

Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, a severe-loo-

king building where executions were once held.

It is now occupied by the Bargello National Mu-

seum, which holds some o the most important

works o Italian Renaissance sculpture (Donatel-

lo, Ghiberti, Michelangelo, Cellini, Giambologna).

Close by is Piazza San Firenze, with the Baroque

building that houses the citys court house (due to

be moved elsewhere). Then, walking along narrow

streets that retrace the perimeter o an ancient Ro-

man amphitheatre, you arrive at the broad expanse

o Piazza Santa Croce. The Franciscan basilica of

Santa Croce, which was erected between the end o

the 13th and during the 14th century, is well worth

a visit. The aade is 19th century, but the interior,

which is Gothic, is memorable or the rescoes o

Giotto and or the tombs o some o Italys most il-

lustrious fgures, including Ugo Foscolo, Galileo Ga-

lilei, Michelangelo and Gioacchino Rossini. Besides

the church, you can also visit the Museo dellOpera

with Brunelleschis elegant Pazzi Chapel.

I you walk along Via de Benci towards the Arno,

you will come, on your let, to a Renaissance palaz-

zo occupied by the Horne Museum. This eatures

paintings, urniture and other items that recreate the

appearance o a noble 15th-century home.

On the other side o the Arno (cross over on the

Ponte alle Grazie) stands the Bardini Museum, the

ormer home o an antiquarian who built up a large

collection o art works.

Walking up the steep but atmo-

spheric Costa Scarpuccia and Co-

sta San Giorgio you will come to

one o Florences most spectacularsites: Fort Belvedere. Designed

by Buontalenti in the last decade

o the 16th century, it is a ortifed

villa in a raised position that oers

one o the best views o the city.

The ort houses the Della Ragione

Collection, eaturing paintings by

some o the great masters o the

20th century.

A beautiul stroll in the shade o

the trees lining the Viale dei Colli

will bring you to the Romanesque basilica o San

Miniato al Monte. The green and white marble aa-de is typically Florentine, and the geometric patterns

can also be ound in the well-lit interior. The piazza

in ront o the church oers fne views, as does the

nearby Piazzale Michelangelo, which is a great a-

vourite with tourists.

The piazzale stands above the historic neighbour-

hood o the Oltrarno. Walking back down towards

the river, the tour o this part o the city can be roun-

ded o by visiting the complex o Santa Maria del

Carmine. In the Brancacci Chapel there are fne re-

scoes by Masaccio, Masolino and Filippino Lippi.

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Guida

allacitt/CityGuideThematic itineraries

in FlorenceWant to ollow a particular thread or theme as youtour the city? Here are a ew suggested ideas.

The city in the Middle AgesThis itinerary takes in the most signicant buildingso the medieval period, when the city skyline wasdominated by towers and the rst important publicbuildings and the large basilicas were built.

Palazzo VecchioPalazzo del Bargello (home to the Bargello NationalMuseum)Palazzo Spini Feroni (Piazza Santa Trinita)Ponte VecchioTower houses Piazza Santa Elisabetta (HotelBrunelleschi), Piazza Davanzati, Piazza Salvemini,Borgo San Jacopo.Baptistery of San GiovanniBasilica of San MiniatoChurch of the Santi Apostoli (Piazza del Limbo)

Great Gothic architectureIn Florence the Gothic period coincided with thepeak o the citys wealth a nd economic prosperity.In architectural and urban development terms, thiswas refected in the building o the last circle ocity walls and o imposing basilicas, expressionso the establishment and growing infuence o themendicant orders in the social abric o the city.

Basilica of Santa Maria NovellaBasilica of Santa CroceChurch of Santa TrinitaCathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

The city in the Renaissance:the grand palazzosThere are various Renaissance palazzos in thehistoric city centre. Although many o them arenot open to the public, they are still interestingrom the outside. They are named ater those whocommissioned them, oten rom very amousarchitects, to serve as amily residences.

Palazzo Davanzati (Via Porta Rossa)Palazzo Rucellai (Via della Vigna Nuova)Palazzo StrozziPalazzo Medici RiccardiPalazzo Antinori (Piazza Antinori)Palazzo Cocchi Serristori (Piazza Santa Croce)Palazzo Bartolini Salimbeni (Piazza Santa Trinita)

The city in the 17th centuryAlthough Florence is not particularly associated withthe Baroque, there are a number o ne examples othis important period, and it is worth exploring thecity with this in mind, i you have the time or i you

are making a return visit.

Church of San Gaetano (Piazza Antinori)Complex of San Firenze (Piazza San Firenze)Palazzo Corsini (Lungarno Corsini)Palazzo dellAntella (Piazza Santa Croce)Santissima Annunziata

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Liberty and eclecticism in the cityA number o signicant examples o eclectic andLiberty-style architecture were built in Florence

between the end o the 19th and the beginning othe 20th century.

Hotel Excelsior (Piazza Ognissanti 3)Cinema Odeon (Via Sassetti 1)Porticoes of Via PellicceriaVillino Uzielli (Piazza DAzeglio 38)Villino Broggi Caraceni (Via Scipione Ammirato 98)Villino Ravazzini (Via Scipione Ammirato 101)Casa Galleria (Borgognissanti)Villa StibbertVillini Lampredi (Via Villani 9, 13)

Contemporary artIn Florence there are a number o ne buildingsassociated with the Italian rationalist movementthat was active between the wars, and other works,mainly public, designed by important post-wararchitects.

Church of San Giovanni Battista (Autostrada delSole)Train station of Santa Maria NovellaArtemio Franchi Football StadiumMarino Marini MuseumAeronautical School (Park of the Cascine)


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Parkand gardens in Florence

Exploring Florence through its parks and gardens is

an unusual but worthwhile experience. This is beca u-

se the citys historic gardens are closely associated

with palazzos and architectural styles, and with the

noble amilies that created them.

In the centre o Florence, the Boboli Gardens, a ma-

gnicently grandiose example o an Italian-style gar-

den with ancient statues and ountains, oers some

extraordinary views o the city. At the top end o the

garden, a gate gives access to the bastions o For-

te Belvedere, and a short walk will bring you to the

recently reopened Bardini Gardens, which overlook

the Arno.

The Botanical Garden or Giardino dei Semplici is

a university museum, but has ancient origins. It

is a haven or a host o plant varieties (kept in the

open-air and under glass), with ancient trees such

as Taxus baccataand a cork oak. In spring the azalea

blossom oers a riot o c olour.

Near to the city centre is the large park of the Casci-ne. Opened to the public in 1791, and enlarged and

modied various times since then, it is an ideal place

to go running, skating, cycling or simply or a walk.

Remaining in the city, but moving out rom the city

centre, a number o other gardens and parks can be

recommended. For example, there is the English-sty-

le park o the Stibbert Museum, its romantic taste

refected in a small lake with a small neo-Egyptian

temple on its banks, and the ruins o a Gothic Vene-

tian courtyard in white marble.

The park of Villa Il Ventaglio, laid out in the mid

19th century on the lower slopes o the hill leading

up to Fiesole, and which has a lake crossed by a

small bridge, also refects the style o parks in that

period.

Ideas for visiting thesurrounding area

Why not venture out rom the city centre? You do

not need to go ar to discover interesting new pla-

ces and unorgettable views.

Fiesole is very close to the city but has a distinct

character o its own. It is situated in a splendidly pa-noramic position on the hill overlooking Florence.

Unlike Florence, Fiesole is o Etruscan origin, and

both Etruscan and Roman remains can be ound in

the extensive Archaeological Area. Also o great hi-

storical value are the Romanesque cathedral o San

Romolo, with its characteristic tower-shaped cam-

panile, Palazzo Vescovile, ounded in the 11th and

rebuilt in the 17th century, and the ancient

church o Santa Maria Primerana, which was

built over an earlier Etruscan construction.

One good idea or a stroll is to head in the

direction o the ancient acropolis, where

you will nd the basilica o SantAlessandro

(exhibitions are held here), and the church,convent and Missionary Museum o San

Francesco. The beautiul surrounding scenery

makes Fiesole a popular area or walking, with

paths heading towards Monte Ceceri and the

Caldine.

South o the city centre, not ar rom Galluzzo,

stands the Certosa. O 14th-century origin, it

has an austere ortress-like appearance and is still

occupied by Cistercian monks. Visitors can see the

monumental quarters o the convent and the Pina-

coteca, which houses important art works produced

over the centuries.

Other unmissable attractions in the local area include

the Medici villas between Florence and Sesto Fio-

rentino: Villa La Petraia and Villa di Castello. The

ormer is dominated by a large tower and surroun-

ded by an Italian-style terrace garden. To the rear

o the villa, there is a large romantic park added in

the 19th century. Ater the Medici, the villa was also

used as a residence by the House o Savoy in the

period when Florence was the capital o unied Italy.

A pleasant walk leads to Villa di Castello, which has

a beautiul Italian garden with citrus ruits and nu-

merous rare plant varieties. The garden is also worth

seeing or the Grotta degli Animali, something o a

marvel in the Medici period with its ingenious water

eects. The imposing villa is home to the prestigious

Accademia della Crusca.

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Guida

allacitt/CityGuideVisiting the city

independentlyI you want to visit Florence and explore its rich ar-tistic and museum heritage on your own, we wouldadvise you to drop in at an inormation ofce to pickup an updated list detailing opening times and ticketprices. Alternatively, you can visit the APTs website

at: www.frenzeturismo.it.Opening times change quite requently, also in rela-tion to the time o year, and ticket prices may varyi there is an exhibition on at the museum. At theofces o the Florence Tourism Board you can alsopurchase a copy o the Guide to museums in the cityand province, a useul aid in planning what to see.

The city o Florence will soon have a tourist cardgranting admission to a range o museums. Thecard costs euro 50.00, its valid or 72 hours or reeadmissions to 33 museums located in Florence andree public transport (Ata-Linea buses and trams).More inormation on www.frenzecard.it

However, it is possible to purchase inclusive tickets

covering certain museums, and to book admissionto the more popular museums in advance. Thiswill enable you to avoid queues, which, especiallyin spring and summer, is something to be borne inmind.

Admission to state-run museums can be bookedthrough Firenze Musei, ph. +39 055 294883 (orschool parties: ph. +39 055 290112)www.frenze-musei.it. There is a booking ee o euro 3 or euro 4,depending on the museum, or each ticket, irrespec-tive o the type (ull, concession, ree).

Admission to state-run museums is ree or every-one under 18 and over 65. There are reductions onadmission tickets to museums run by Florence City

Council or children aged 4 to 17, or young peopleaged 18 to 25, and or anyone over 65 years o age.

Other museums in the city are managed by publicand private bodies or associations. Some o thecitys historic gardens, or instance the Boboli andthe Bardini Gardens, also charge an admission ee.

There are more than ninety museums in Florence.The ollowing is a selection:

State-run museumsMuseum o the Medici ChapelsCenacles (rescoed reectories) o Ognissanti, SantaApollonia, San Salvi, FulignoChiostro dello ScalzoMuseums o Palazzo Pitti (Palatine Gallery; Gallery

o Modern Art; Silver Museum; Porcelain Museum;Costume Gallery; Boboli Gardens)Ufzi GalleryAccademia GalleryArchaeology MuseumBargello National MuseumDavanzati MuseumMuseum o the Opifcio delle Pietre DureMuseum o San Marcowww.polomuseale.frenze.it

Council-run museumsPalazzo Vecchio (Monumental Apartments andChildrens Museum)Brancacci ChapelFondazione Romano in the Cenacle o Santo SpiritoBardini MuseumMuseum o Santa Maria NovellaMuseo di Firenze comeraAlberto Della Ragione Collectionwww.museiciviciforentini.it

Museums run by other bodiesPalazzo Medici RiccardiHorne MuseumMuseo dellOpera del Duomo

Casa BuonarrotiCasa di DanteMuseo dellOpera di Santa CroceGalleria dello Spedale degli InnocentiUniversity Museum o Natural HistoryGalileo MuseumMarino Marini Museum


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Guided tours of the city

One way o getting to know Florence better is

to go on a guided tour o the city and its major

attractions. There are tours practically every day,

at dierent times and in various languages. It is

advisable to turn up 10-15 minutes beore the tour

is due to start.

By busMorning tour (generally includes Piazzale

Michelangelo, Accademia Gallery or Bargello

National Museum or Medici Chapels, Cathedral)

Afternoon tour (generally includes Piazza Santa

Croce, Piazza della Signoria, Uzi Gallery or

Palazzo Vecchio, Fiesole)

CAF Tours, tel. 055 283200 www.catours.com

Departure point: Piazza Stazione (on the corner with

Piazza dellUnit)

Panoramic tour (morning and aternoon, with audio

guide)

CAF Tours, tel. 055 283200 www.catours.com

Departure point: Piazza Stazione (on the corner with

Piazza dellUnit)

Tourist bus (Line A: Piazza Stazione; Line B: Porta

San Frediano)City Sightseeing: red two-storey bus which goes all

round the city; you can get on and o at the various

stops; tel. 055 290451

www.renze.city-sightseeing.it

Florence Open Tour: a yellow two-storey bus; you

can get on and o at the various stops; phone +39

348 8814984 www.forenceopentours.it

On footThe ollowing agencies run guided walking tours in

the centre o Florence. The programme may include

a visit to a museum or a major church, or maybe devoted exclusively to one or more museums.

There are tours in various oreign languages,

besides Italian. Booking obligatory.

Accord Innovative Tourist Solutions,

phone +39 055 282825 www.accordsolutions.it

Departure point: Uzi Gallery Gate 2

(April to October)

Albatravel Group phone +39 055 211528

www.albatravelforence.com

Departure point: Piazzale Michelangelo (April to

October)

CAF Tours, phone +39 055 283200

www.catours.com Departure point: Piazza Stazione

(on the corner with Piazza dellUnit)

Florapromotuscany, phone +39 055 210301

www.forapromotuscany.com Departure point:

Piazza della Repubblica, c/o Ca Giubbe Rosse

From 15 March to 15 November the agency

Florapromotuscany also oers guided walking

tours with guaranteed departures (booking not

necessary). Tours are in English, French or German.

FlorenceTown, phone +39 055 0123994

www.forencetown.com

Departure point: Piazza della Repubblica, c/o Ca

Gilli (on Tuesday, rom Ca Paskowsky)

Mercurio Tours c/o Amici del Turismo travel agency

phone +39 055 218413

www.mercurio-italy.org

Departure point: Ponte Vecchio on the side opposite

the bust o Cellini

The Original & Best Walking Tours o Florence,

phone +39 055 2645033 www.artviva.italy.com

Departure point: agency oce in Via Sassetti 1

TuscanyAll, phone +39 055 713655

www.myforencetours.com Departure point: Piazza

della Repubblica, c/o Ca Giubbe Rosse

By taxi and minivan (morning and aternoon)Accord Innovative Tourist Solutions, phone +39 055

282825 www.accordsolutions.it

Departure point: Piazza della Repubblica (column).

Departure rom hotel can be arranged by prior

request.

By bike (morning and aternoon)Accord Innovative Tourist Solutions,

phone +39 055 282825 www.accordsolutions.it

Departure point: statue in Piazza San Marco

Florapromotuscany, phone +39 055 210301

www.forapromotuscany.com Departure point:

Piazza Stazione

Ibikeforence (FlorenceTown)

phone +39 055 0123994 www.ibikeforence.com

Departure point: Via de Lamberti 1

(corner with Via Calzaiuoli), March to October

By Segway (morning and aternoon)

Italy Segway Tours phone +39 055 2398855

www.segwayrenze.com

Via de Cimatori 9red

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Guida

allacitt/CityGuideOfcially licensed tour

guides and tour leadersassociationsI you need an ocial tour guide you can contact

one o the ollowing tour guides associations

operating in Florence.

A. Ali di Pegaso (Associazione Guide turisticheMadrelingua)

Via Livornese, 653 50055 Lastra a Signa (Fi)

Phone +39 0558725890 ax +39 0558727821

www.alidipegaso.it - ino@ alidipegaso.it

A.C.G. Associazione Culturale Guide Florence

& Tuscany

Via dei Querci 4/d 50142 Firenze

Phone +39 0557877744 ax +39 055877629

www.renze-guide.com - ino@ renze-guide.com

A.C.G.T. Associazione Centro Guide Turismo

Associazione Guide Turistiche e accompagnatori

Firenze e Toscana

Via Ghibellina, 110 50122 FirenzePhone +39 055288448 ax +39 055288476

www.centroguidetoscana.it

ino@ centroguidetoscana.it

A.G.A. Associazione Guide Turistiche e

Accompagnatori

Via G.F. Mariti, 8 50127 Firenze

Phone +39 0550129344 ax +39 055 9631037

Mobile +39 3277992662

www.agatour.com - ino@ agatour.com

A.G.T. Firenze-Associazione Guide Turistiche

della Toscana

Via Pellicceria, 1 50123 Firenze

c/o Accord SolutionsPhone +39 0552654753

Mobile +39 3334631052

[email protected]

A.G.T.F. Associazione Guide Turistiche Fiorentine

Via Verdi, 10 50122 Firenze

Mobile +39 3477378374 ax +39 0552480902

www.guidesinforence.it - ino@ guidesinforence.it

AICS Associazione Culturale Guidetruria

Via B. Dei, 106 50127 Firenze

Mobile +39 3275304664 ax +39 055 434196

www.guidetruria.it

[email protected] - ino@ guidetruria.it

Florence and Tuscany Tours by Florapromotuscany

Via Condotta, 12 50122 Firenze

Phone +39 055210301 ax +39 0552381496

Mobile +39 3493164677

www.forenceandtuscanytours.com

ino@ forenceandtuscanytours.com

Link Cooperativa accompagnatori, guide

turistiche e guide ambientali

Via Pellicceria, 1 50123 FirenzePhone/ax +39 055218191 Mobile +39 3383903070

www.linkrenze.it - ino@ linkrenze.it

Toscana Insieme (Guide turistiche e

accompagnatori di Firenze e province toscane)

Via Maso Finiguerra, 19 50123 Firenze

Phone/ax +39 055293157

Mobile +39 3335315543

www.toscanainsieme.it - ino@ toscanainsieme.it


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11

Inormation ofces

There are fve tourist inormation ofces in the

city. In these ofces you will fnd inormative

materials in various languages and

proessional, well-inormed sta who

can give you accurate and helpul

inormation about the attractions o the

city and surrounding area, services,accommodation, transport and all the

main cultural, sports and traditional

events.

Florence Tourism Board

Via Manzoni 16 - 50121 Firenze

Phone +39 05523320 ax 0552346286

www.frenzeturismo.it - [email protected]

Ufci Inormazioni

Via Cavour 1r

phone +39 290832-3

ax +39 055 2760383

[email protected]

Via Manzoni 16

phone +39 055 23320

ax +39 055 2346285

[email protected]

Aeroporto A. Vespucci

phone/ax +39 055 315874

[email protected]

Comune di Firenze

Borgo S.Croce 29r

phone +39 055 2340444 ax +39 055 [email protected]

Piazza Stazione 4

phone +39 055 212245 ax +39 055 2381226

[email protected]

Protecting the rightso tourists

In a city visited by millions o tourists each

year, there is unortunately always a chance

o encountering a poor or unproessional level

o service. I the service is not up to scratch,

the price is unclear, your booking has not beenrespected or you fnd yoursel in some other

unpleasant situation o this kind, you can make

use o a number o mechanisms designed to

protect your rights as a guest o the city.

Ofce or the protection o the rights o tourists

At the Inormation Ofce o the Florence Tourism

Board in Via Cavour 1red, there is a special coun-

ter devoted to saeguarding the rights o tourists.

Expert, multilingual sta help tourists to fll out com-

plaint orms which are then sent on to the pertinent

authorities. phone +39 055 2760382

Ofce o conciliation

The Florence Chamber o Commerce

has set up a reconciliation service to

settle fnancial controversies that may

arise between businesses and tourist

consumers, the aim being to avoid

lengthy and costly legal proceedings.

For visitors who cannot ollow the reconciliation pro-

cedure in person, the ofce appoints a representative

chosen rom a list drawn up by consumer protection

bodies.

The procedure can also be activated on the Chamber

o Commerces website at:

www.f.camcom.it - conciliazione@ f.camcom.it

phone +39 055 2795295

12

Guida

allacitt/CityGuideGetting around

in the cityWith your own carI you arrive in Florence by car, it is worth parkingit and using public and tourist transport to getaround.Particular attention should also be given to signs

indicating that you are entering the RestrictedTrafc Zone (Zona a Trafco Limitato, ZTL), whichcovers the area o the historic city centre. Accessis controlled by video cameras, and you will needprior authorization to enter i you want to avoid ahety fne. I you are looking or accommodation,the hotel you decide to stay in or the garage whereyou intend to park can enable you, by means o aspecifc procedure, to enter the ZTL temporarily.Further inormation about the Restricted TrafcZone is available at www.serviziallastrada.it or www.comune.f.it

see map at page 28

With a hire car

I you decide to hire a car in Florence, you will fndrental companies both in the terminal building othe A. Vespucci Airport and in the city centre. Themajority o car hire companies are in streets closeto the central railway station (SMN). Rememberthat this area is inside the Restricted Trafc Zoneand that the above comments apply.

Amrent via Arno 108 phone +39 055 3454072Auto Europa Borgo Ognissanti 100rCall centre 800 334440AVIS Borgo Ognissanti 128rCall centre 199 100133City Car Rent via Alamanni 3a c/o Garage LaStazione phone +39 055 2399231

Easy Car Via della Scala 53rphone +39 055 284366Europcar Borgo Ognissanti 53rCall centre 199 307030Hertz Italiana Via Maso Finiguerra 33Call centre 199 112211Italy by Car Thrity dollar Borgo Ognissanti 134rCall centre 800 846083Maggiore Via Maso Finiguerra 13rCall centre 199 151120Maxirent Borgo Ognissanti 133rphone +39 055 2654207Sixt Borgo Ognissanti 153rphone +39 055 2399696Travelcar Borgo Ognissanti 108r

Call centre 199 180180


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How do I park?Car parking spaces in Florence are divided intoareas reserved or residents (whitemarkings on the ground) and pay-and-display areas (sky blue markings). Nearthe pay-and-display areas there areticket machines, which accept coins.The ticket purchased or the parkingcan be used or riding on a city bus (90minutes riding).

There are also many covered andattended car parks in the city centre.These are all run by Firenze Parcheggiwww.renzeparcheggi.it:

Santa Maria Novella: central railwaystation (SMN); open round the clockSantAmbrogio: Piazza Annigoni; open round theclockBeccaria: Piazza C. Beccaria; open round the clockAlberti: Piazza Alberti; open round the clockParterre: Via Madonna della Tosse 9; open roundthe clockFortezza Fiera: Piazzale Caduti nei Lager; openround the clock

Oltrarno: Piazza della Calza; open round the clockPorta al Prato: via Gabbuggiani; open round theclock

TaxiTaxis are white. They can be booked by phone orpicked up by going to a taxi rank. There are ranks inront o the main railway stations and in many citycentre piazzas.Radiotaxi SOCOTA phone +39 055 4242Radiotaxi COTAFI phone +39 055 4390Intaxi phone +39 055 2001326

I you arrive in Florence by plane, the taxi ride intothe city centre takes about 15 minutes. The taxicooperatives have established a xed rate ( euro 20)to and rom the airport and city centre hotels.

Other means of transportFlorence, being relatively small, lends itsel to the

use o a bicycle, thanks also to a large numbero cycle tracks.1000 e 1 bici (social cooperative) hascycle points at the railway stations o SantaMaria Novella and Campo Marte, PiazzaSanta Croce, Piazza Annigoni (market oSantAmbrogio).Alinari Via San Zanobi 38r, phone +39 055

280500 www.alinarirental.comFlorence by bike Via San Zanobi 120r,phone +39 055 488992 www.forencebyke.itRentway Piazza San Benedetto 1r, tel. 3339619820 www.rentway.it

RickshawBicycle rickshaws carries two adults or an adultand two children, and are an usual way to discoverthe city.Tre Rote mobile +39 338 6389245www.pedicabrenze.it

SegwayThe Segway is a silent and convenient way o

getting aroundIno phone +39 055 2398855, call centre800090169 www.segwayrenze.comOpen carriageIt is hard to resist the romantic charm o a ride onan open carriage. You can pick one up in PiazzaDuomo, Piazza San Giovanni or Piazza dellaSignoria.BoatsFrom June to September it is also possible to takea trip along the River Arno on one o the typicallocal boats, called barchetti. The embarkation pointis near Piazza Mentana, and the boats go as ar asLungarno Corsini. Booking obligatory (minimum 6people). Call the Associazione I Renaioliwww.renaioli.it mobile +39 347 7982356.

14

Guida

allacitt/CityGuide

Florence and some o the adjoining towns are

served by Ata city buses and a new tram service

running between Santa Maria Novella and the south-

west outskirts o Florence as ar as Scandicci. The

buses are mostly orange (some also white/red),

and enable you to get around anywhere. Timeta-

bles are posted at bus stops or at www.ata.net

Ordinary bus tickets should be purchased beoregetting onto the bus, rom a newsagent, tobacconist

or bar, or rom the ticket ofce situated inside Santa

Maria Novella railway station (Sala Clienti Ata). Tick-

ets cost euro 1.20 and are valid 90 minutes rom

when they have been validated on board the bus or

tram (punch the ticket in the machine situated just

inside the entrance to the bus). A 24-hour ticket

costs euro 5, while a 7-days ticket cost euro 18.00. A

multiple4-journey ticket costs euro 4.50 and can be

used by 4 dierent people, or example a amily. Re-

member that children under a metre tall travel ree.

Another practical option is the Carta Agile, an elec-

tronic Ata card that can be used or 10, 21 or 35runs. Ino: 800 424500 (rom a land line) or 199

104245 (rom a cell phone)

By busThe area surrounding Florence isserved by non-city buses, whichmay be blue or green. The busstations are all in the immediatevicinity o the central railwaystation (SMN). The ollowingcompanies operate services:SITA, Via Santa Caterina da Siena15 www.sitabus.it,CAP, Largo Fratelli Alinari 9 www.capautolinee.itCOPIT, Largo Fratelli Alinari 9www.copitspa.itLAZZI, Piazza Stazione 1 www.lazzi.it

Main destinations served by busin the province o Florence

SITA serves the ollowing townsand areas: Chianti and Valdarno,Mugello and Valdisieve,Montespertoli, Empoli, Certaldo,

Castelforentino, Montaione,Siena, San Gimignano, Bibbiena,

Casentino, Valdarno aretino,Valtiberina

CAP connects Florence withBorgo San Lorenzo, Impruneta,Palazzuolo sul Senio, San Piero

a Sieve, Tavarnuzze (Comune diImpruneta), Carmignano, Poggioa Caiano, Prato.

COPIT serves the towns oCerreto Guidi, Vinci (rom Empolistation)

LAZZI serves the areas oEmpolese Valdelsa (Lazzi andPi Bus service) and Valdarno, italso connects Florence to Prato,Montecatini Terme, Pistoia,Lucca, Viareggio.

TERRAVISION: Shuttle bus romSanta Maria Novella railway

station to Galilei airport in Pisaphone +39 06 97610632

www.terravision.eu

By trainFlorences central train station isSanta Maria Novella (in the hearto the city centre).Other stations includeCampo di Marte (trains rom/toArezzo/Rome, Mugello, Val diSieve)Riredi (trains rom/to Pisa,Bologna). Ino: phone +39892021 www.trenitalia.com

AirportFlorences airport is AmerigoVespucci Airport, Via del Termine11 phone +39 055 3061300www.aereoporto.frenze.itThe airport is about 5 km romthe city centre and is connectedby shuttle bus Vola in busoperated by Sita/Ata (serviceavailable rom 5.30 a.m. to 11p.m every 30 minutes)

City buses and tram service

Getting around in the surrounding area

guia firenze

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