One of the most beautiful and historically significant cities in the world…join me as I help you decide what to do, where to go, where to stay, and what to eat in stunning Florence.
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Music by:
https://www.epidemicsound.com
Thanks to Audrey Kennedy for the help! If you need a travel agent, she’s the best!
FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO:
How to Get into the City:
– From Pisa Airport (Gallilei Gallileo Intl Airport): Take the Pisamover to Pisa Centrale Station, and buy a ticket to Florence (Santa Maria Novella Station)
– From Florence Airport (Peretola)
Cheapest option is the new Tram from T2 to Santa Maria Novella Station in Florence.
Or just hop in a cab)
How to Skip The Lines:
(VERY IMPORTANT TO AVOID SPENDING HOURS IN LINES!)
– The most user friendly website for reserving skip the line reserved ticket times (for the Uffizi Gallery and the Academia Gallery (Michelangelo’s David) is:
https://www.florence-tickets.com/florence
(But you’ll pay more of a fee…but it is user friendly)
– The official ticketing website for the Uffizi Gallery and The David is B-ticket:
http://www.b-ticket.com/b-ticket/uffizi/default_eng.aspx
(Less user-friendly, but a cheaper ticket price…and it’s not that hard to figure it out)
– The official site for reserving a climb for the Duomo is here (this will also include entrance into all of the attractions of the Duomo):
https://grandemuseodelduomo.waf.it/en/cumulative-ticket-great-museum-of-the-cathedral-of-florence
– You can also call to book a time at the Uffizi and David by calling this number from a US phone:
011-39-055-294-883
– Or this number from an Italian phone:
055-294-883
You can also sometimes book through your hotel (if you’re staying at a hotel)
Or go with a small group tour like ArtVivia (more expensive, but highly recommended):
Food:
– All’Antico Vinaio
– Gustapizza
– Le Volpi e L’Uva
– Trattoria Mario
– Trattoria Za Za
– Zeb
– Cibrèo Trattoria
– Osteria Santo Spirito
– L’Osteria di Giovanni
– Trattoria Giovanni
Gelato:
– Venchi
– Vivoli
– Gelateria La Carraia
– Gelateria Artigianale La Strega Nocciola
– Gelateria Santa Trinita
– My Sugar
– Gelateria Dei Neri (one of my two favorites)
– Perché No (my favorite)
Neighborhoods/Piazzas/Sites:
– Piazza della Signoria
– Ponte Vecchio (Make sure to climb to the top)
– Oltrarno (Across any of the bridged on the other side of the Arno River)
– San Frediano
– Santo Spirito
– Walk along the Arno River
Markets:
– Mercato Centrale
– Mercato di San Lorenzo
– Loggia del Mercato Nuovo
– Sant’Ambrogio Market
Michaelangelo’s David:
Galleria dell’Accademia
(Again…make sure to book an advanced entrance time)
Other Museums/Art/History:
– Uffizi Gallery (BOOK AHEAD)
– Palazzo Vecchio
– Palazzo Pitti
Churches:
– Duomo di Firenze, also the Crypt below, the Baptistry, and Giotto’s Bell Tower (though as I said in the video…you’ll get as a good a view of the city from climbing the Palazzo Vecchio with FAR FEWER crowds)
– Basilica di Santa Croce (burial site of famous Italians)
– Medici Chapel (also the family tomb for the Medici)
Parks/Nature:
– Boboli Gardens (Beautiful impressive huge park)
– Giardino Bardini (My favorite park in the city)
– Rent a bike and ride through the hills above Florence. Best route (in my opinion) Head across the Ponte all Grazie (Bridge), and bike up the hills above Piazzale Michaelangelo.
Views of the City:
– la Rinascente (4th floor…up the green stairs)
– Rooftop bar of the Westin Excelsior
– Watch the Sunset on the St Trinity Bridge
Tuscany:
(I rented a car…I think it cost me around 50 Euros for the day)
– Day Trip/Wine Tour of Tuscany (There are many options for tours…I loved the small group half/day tour with Prestige rent…I found it on Trip Advisor (linked here):
https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g187895-d11458040-Small_Group_Wine_Tasting_Experience_in_the_Tuscan_Countryside-Florence_Tuscany.html
– Siena (if you only visit one town in Tuscany…make it Siena. Also take the bus, not the train)
– San Gimignano (Can be seen on the same day as Siena as they’re close by)
– Pisa
– Lucca (aerial shot of Lucca is from videoblocks.com)
PLACES I DIDN’T HAVE TIME TO FEATURE:
Restaurants:
– Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori (VERY POPULAR spot. Reservations are a must)
– Bella Donne (fantastic meatballs…or “polpettine”)
– Hostaria Il Desco (great little hidden gem near the Ponte Vecchio in a winding alley)
Other things to see/do:
– Bargello Museum
– Strozzi Museum
– Museo dell’Opera del Duomo (The Duomo’s museum)
MY EQUIPMENT:
– Main Camera: Panasonic GH5 (w/ Metabones Speedbooster adapter, and an XLR shoe mount for my lav mic)
– Second Camera (For Studio shoot): Sony FS5 with Canon 24-70 2.8
– Lenses: Panasonic Lumix 12-35 2.8, Panasonic Lumix 35-100 2.8, Sigma Art Lens 18-35 1.8, Canon 24-70 2.8
– Gimbal: DJI Ronin S
– Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
– Camera Slider: Rhino ROV Pro
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