What’s not to love about Florence? In one small city, you have the famous Duomo, the renowned Uffizi Gallery Museum, and of course, incredible food. Maybe the crowds can be a little overwhelming at times, but with millions of tourists flocking here, there’s no lack of affordable accommodations in the city. However, not all cheap hotels » Read more
Planning for Florence: Budget Travel Guide
As the capital of Tuscany, Florence is known for Renaissance art and architecture, a vibrant cultural scene, delicious food and wine, and… crowded streets packed with tourists. In fact, during the high season, there are more visitors in Florence than locals! It’s no surprise that Florence’s popularity also keeps prices a lot higher than we » Read more
Whether you are scoping out the best meals in the city or making your way to the Duomo, Florence has a little something for everybody. Not to mention a plethora of cheap hotels in the city center and beyond. That being said, those budget hotels can fill up quickly with others looking to enjoy all » Read more
When visiting Florence, you can’t find a more central spot than the city’s impressive cathedral, the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, known colloquially as the “Duomo”. This marble masterpiece was completed in the 15th century when it was topped with Brunelleschi’s massive dome — a structure that’s visible from most corners of the city » Read more
The Hotel Dali, located a few minutes’ walk from the Duomo in central Florence, has been a EuroCheapo favorite for more than 10 years. When we first visited the Dali, Marco and Samanta, the hotel’s husband and wife proprietors, were just putting finishing touches on their pension. These days, the rates are still among the » Read more
Between the Tuscan wine, chic clothing and world-class museums, your trip budget in Florence can really add up. While there are some things you can’t avoid shelling out for (your hotel, flight, etc.), there are ways to save in Florence that you might not have thought of. Here are five budget tips that will help you save » Read more
Unless you’re that guy I see once in a while on his unicycle circling the Duomo, chances are you ride a bike. And since you’re reading this, chances are you have some remote interest in visiting Florence. So why not combine the two? Join a bike tour before it joins you! What? Here’s a quick » Read more
People are always asking me for pointers on where to stay in Florence. If casa Marc is available then hey, no problem. Otherwise, here are the neighborhoods I suggest when choosing a hotel: Steps from the Station: Santa Maria Novella I know a guy who always insists on picking hotels near train stations to save » Read more
Let’s face it. Most of us look like Clydesdales trotting around Florence in our clunky running shoes and baggy Bermuda shorts while the locals prance down the sidewalk like fashionistas of cool. So what can we do about the not-fitting-in situation? Read on my friend, read on. Start with the shoes Let’s start with the » Read more
Instead of my usual banter about the best things to do in Florence, I’m going to try something different. No recommendations this time. At least, not the usual kind. Instead, here are some activities to avoid – expensive bad ideas, hence the crummiest things to do in my city. 1. Eat Near the Duomo It » Read more
One thing you won’t see during the summer in Florence is people chugging down hot bowls of soup. With an average high of 88 degrees in July and August, this town really tends to sizzle. But besides the usual beach trips and dipping in and out of public pools (see previous post), what can you » Read more
Florence was recently billed as the most polluted city in Italia. Not cool. So what did the mayor do? He started kicking out cars from the center in favor of more pedestrians zones. Coolissimo! So which streets are making happy feet? Check this out to know more. The Danger Duomo The first area to go » Read more
No matter what type of traveler you are, at some point you will feel the urge to visit that very special European (no pun intended) monument: the toilet. And when that happens in crowded downtown Florence, you’ll want to find free and functional public washrooms. Here are my top picks for where to ‘go’ when » Read more
Florence is a medieval fairy tale city of churches, palazzos and cobblestones. However, like in other cities, it has had to adapt to modern times and technology. In January 2010, Florence took a giant leap into the future by christening the first of three tramway lines servicing the city center and surrounding areas. Despite much » Read more
It’s a pretty well known fact that Italy, like most of Europe, goes on vacation in August. Everything closes up, everybody checks out and heads to the beach. So if you’re a tourist traveling through Florence during the month of August, you’ll just have to get used to the phrase chiuso per ferie (“closed for » Read more
There is no reason why your Florentine holiday should feel like you’re walking on the bubbling surface of the sun. (Unless of course you are a seasoned fire walker, in which case your callused feet will feel right at home.) For all other readers, here are a few activities in Florence that will keep you » Read more
Tired of arriving to your destination looking like you’ve just emerged from a human car wash? Well, how about getting to Florence refreshed, reposed and with the swagger of a Medici prince? Check out these tips to save energy, time and money when arriving in Florence: Lean toward Pisa (the airport, that is) Florence has 1.5 airports. The » Read more
A few years ago my wife and I pulled a daredevil stunt: We rented a 1,100 year old villa in Tuscany and invited both sides of our families to join us for a week-long vacation. Now, before you ask “what were you thinking?” or say “that doesn’t sound particularly Cheapo, Pete,” let me explain further. » Read more
Florence is a small and very walkable city, but that doesn’t mean you’ll never need a break from treading the cobblestone streets. Thus, visitors to Florence will benefit from understanding the city’s bus network. Here’s a warning: it’s not easy, but it can be done. It’s always tempting to take the hop-on hop-off tourist buses, » Read more
Hotel Dali Via Dell Oriuolo, 17 (near the Duomo) The Hotel Dali has been one of our favorite hotels in Florence since we created our Florence hotel guide in 2001. For the first in our “Checking In” series, we’re posing some questions to the owners of the Dali, Marco, 42 and his wife Samanta, 38 (pictured above). » Read more
Ah, Florence, Renaissance city of artistic treasures, architectural icons, and mouth-watering delicacies. And throngs of tourists. And locals zipping up and down tiny streets on scooters and motorcycles. If you’re an adventurous traveler, you might consider seeing the city like a local — on a cute little euro-scooter. But should you? Pros Renting a scooter in Florence makes » Read more
