Archive for September, 2008

Finding the Right Transportation in Florence

When visiting Florence, it is important that you find the right transportation in Florence. A lot of people travel on food because a lot of the tours do not consist of an individual driving in a car or any other means. However, you may need to get to your tours or you might want to visit an attraction outside of the city. If you do, you have to figure out how to get there.

First of all, transportation in Florence begins with the large airport and the train station. This makes traveling in and out of Italy and through the region a lot easier. For those things that are not within walking distance, you may consider a Florence car rental service to take you to those places. You also have the option of renting a car with a drive or even employing the services of a limo service. A limo service can come in handy when you’re going out for a night on the town or you’re going out to a classy restaurant.

You can also use the train to travel to other cities. If you want to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, you’re looking at a train ride that is around an hour outside of the city. This train can take you to a variety of destinations. If you simply need to move around within the city and where you need to go is too far to walk, you can also hail a cab to take you there. There are plenty of ways in which you can get around and be comfortable, so there is no worry as to how you’re going to move around in Florence. Just make sure that you learn a little Italian before you go so that you can communicate with drivers. Many of them do speak English, but you should know Italian just in case.

You Don’t Have to be Italian to Marry in Florence

You don’t have to be Italian and you don’t have to live in Florence in order to have a Florentine wedding. The charms appeal to both natives and visitors, making Florence an excellent wedding destination. With all of the churches and honeymoon options, why would anyone want to go anywhere else?

You’re not going to choose another destination because you may have a family tradition that involves getting married in Florence. Then again, you may have found that you do have some Italian roots and you want to create memories and history of your own. Florence is a beautiful city to get married in, so it is not something you want to pass up if you have the means to have your wedding there.

Just think of the beautiful artwork that makes up Florence and other parts of Italy. The atmosphere is romantic all around. The beauty is as natural as your love for each other, which is probably another reason why so many people are taking their weddings to Florence. To think that they don’t have to spend a lot of money on decorations because of the beauty that already exists is too enticing. As for your guests, they will have plenty to do while visiting Florence. They’ll enjoy the wine tasting opportunities, the tours, the limousine services that can take them to the wedding and to the reception.

One way to get this done is to use a Florentine wedding planner. They know the area very well and they can give you what you want. They’re used to it because destination weddings are growing in popularity. If you don’t want to use a Florentine wedding planner, you can find a wedding planner in your home country that specializes in destination weddings. You’ll be glad you did when everything goes smoothly.

Want to See Florence in Two Days?

Florence is a difficult city to see in two days, but it can be done. This is dangerous, though, because things can be missed and the overall essence cannot be taken in. However, if you need to tour the city in two days, here is how you can do it:

• Start at the Piazza Santa Maria Novella to familiarize yourself with the city. You’ll notice that you’re around the main station and that there are some small shops down the street.

• An hour later, walk down Via Borgo San Lorenzo and see the Duomo. You get there before you arrive at the Piazza. You’ll see the Baptistry with its golden doors, which are replicas of the originals made by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Michelangelo called them the “Doors to Paradise.”

• An hour later, go to the museum behind the cathedral. There are many pieces by Michelangelo here.

• An hour later, eat at one of the Florentine cafes and spend no more than 30 minutes there.

• From here on, you will continue your way toward the bridge and take yourself to the Uffizi. However, the Uffizi is quite spectacular, so you have to bide your time wisely.

• You then need to work your way to the Palazzo Vecchio, visit the Accademia, and take yourself over to the Chiesa di San Maniato al Monte because of the architecture.

• On the second day, continue your way along your path to take in all of the art that you could ever dream of.

To make this trip possible, you need to obtain your ticket vouchers online so that you don’t have to wait in lines for hours on end. Waiting in queue lines is what takes up the majority of tourists’ days. That is something you can’t afford to deal with.

Florence is Known for Great Cuisine

Florence is literally the birthplace of a lot of the Western dishes that are available today. In no way does Florence claim to be home to some of the greatest cuisines, but they will not deny that they have cuisine that is not challenged by any other region in the world. They leave it up to the tourist to determine if they really have the best cuisine.

As with most cities that are similar in essence to Florence, a lot of the more affordable eateries can be found around the main railway station. The more expensive eateries can be found in the center of the city. In Oltrarno, there are some great moderately to high priced restaurants that you’ll never forget. They have cuisine that is quite unique compared to some of the other places you may eat at.

The best way to experience Florentine cuisine is to order dishes that are traditional to the region. If not, you may experience dishes that are similar to what you have already tried in your home country. Again, Florence is home to a lot of the Western dishes that countries such as the United States and Canada enjoy. The reason why you want to stick with what is traditional to the region is because many of these restaurants have stuck to the peasant traditions. This involves combining simple cooking methods with basic ingredients. This may not sound like much, but the truth is that the results are rather astounding. It is hard to believe that such basic cooking can yield such great results, but that is what makes Cuisine in Florence so unique. They’re not trying to dress things up. They’re just sticking with what they know. In other words, they have adhered to what many have lost throughout the years and that is the taste of tradition.

Find Romance at the Savoy Hotel

Florence is very well known for its romantic atmosphere. Perhaps this is because it literally sits in the heart of Italy. The many indulgences feed the many passions that wake up the senses of all of those who visit. The visual masterpieces that adorn this beautiful city are almost as delicious as the Florentine cuisine. This is why a stay in Florence is a must, which means finding accommodations that keep the mood going.

If your budget allows, the Savoy Hotel is one of those five star hotels that can feed the romance. It fits well within the city because the atmosphere remains consistent throughout. It sits close to the Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery, which are two of the most popular attractions that Florence has to offer.

Luckily, accommodation doesn’t stop with where you stay. It also includes how you get from place-to-place. For example, if you wish to travel to wine country, there are car rental services that can meet your needs. You can enjoy the road trip to wine country while enjoying the Italian scenery, and then drive yourself back to the city to your classy hotel. You can also arrange for public transportation if you wish to enjoy the beautiful scenery on the outskirts of Florence. Driving commands a lot of attention and that can take away from your experience, which is something you don’t want.

Nevertheless, the accommodations are grand, but romance is spectacular. When deciding to stay in Florence, it is important to experience the warm welcome of the Savoy Hotel at least once in your life. It is the epitome of what Italy is about in regards to hotel stays, which makes the overall experience something to never be forgotten. The scenery is also unbelievable, making it something of a unique experience.