On our tours to Italy, Florence is one of my favorite cities.  Florence is compact.   Nearly every point of interest is within walking distance.  The main train station is Santa Maria Novella (SMN).   There are plenty of restaurants in Florence.   Many offer a set “menu” for 20/25 euros or less.  However, many of these restaurants a cover charge and/or bread charge that can escalate the bill quickly.  These restaurants are fine, but for a few more euros, go to a better restaurant and avoid the cover/bread charge and dine at about the same price.   Find the good, authentic restaurants a few blocks off the tourist trails.   Menus are always posted outside the restaurant.  There are self-service cafeteria-like options that provide good food at reasonable prices.

Florence is only 2nd to Barcelona as the sandwich capital of the world.  I buy mine in the Mercato Centrale.  I go on a mini-picnic or I take one on the train or bus, to the envy of other travelers.

Enotecas are popular in Florence.  For the cost of a glass of wine, socialize and enjoy a generous spread of authentic Tuscan appetizers.  Enotecas are generally not open until about 5 p.m.

The sites of interest in Florence:

• Galleria dell'Accademia:  Home of Michelangelo’s David.  There is an exact replica at the Palazzo Vecchio.
• Medici Chapels:  Tombs of the patrons of the Renaissance.
• Bargello: Michelangelo, Donatello, and Medici sculpture works.
• Duomo:  An uninteresting church with a glorious dome providing an outstanding vista of Florence (463 steps).
• Giotto’s Tower:  More outstanding views (413 steps).  Next to the Duomo.
• Baptistry:  Across from the Duomo.   Michelangelo called the bronze doors “The Gates of Paradise”.
• Uffizi Gallery:  If you haven’t seen enough Italian paintings, this is the place.
• Palazzo Strozzi: One of my favorite museums in Florence.  There is currently an exhibition of “Portraits in Power” (famous political figures) and “Bronzino. Artist and Poet at the Court of the Medici”.
• Ferragamo Museum:  An entertaining museum featuring shoes of the rich and famous (Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Nicole Kidman, and other celebrities of now and yesteryear).
• Mercato Centrale:  One of Europe’s most interesting food markets.  The gigantic San Lorenzo flea market runs outside its doors.
• Palazzo Vecchio:  The museum inside is not of great interest but the Piazza della Signora in front of it is one of the best piazzas in all of Italy.  It is worth having a café here and do some people watching.
• Pont Vecchio: The famous medieval bridge crossing the Arno river into the Oltrarno section of Florence.
• Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens:  Moderately interesting museums and gardens.
• Piazzale Michelangelo:  A 30-minute hike or a short bus ride (#12 or #13 from SMN train station) offers great views of the city.
• Fiesole:  A 30 minute ride on the #7 bus (check with the driver) from Piazza San Marco (near the church) goes to this Etruscan village high on the hill overlooking Florence.
• Oltrarno:  Across the Pont Vecchio, this a more authentic part of Florence.  Explore for great restaurants and pop into some of the artists studios.
• Piazza Michelangelo:  A long walk (or short bus ride) to a charming view of the city of Florence

On a tour to Italy, Florence cannot be missed.   Check out the "Italy" page of Traveling Professor to see my hotel picks.