DansDeals Forum > Destination Guides And Trip Planning
Florence Italy master thread
Traveler718:
I can't believe that Florence doesn't seem to have its own thread, just assorted mentions in the Venice and Rome forums. Looking for Florence for 2 days midweek - am I correct that there's no minyan there except on Shabbos? And I see Ruth's Kitchen, but it's under the supervision of the local Chief Rabbi. Does anybody have any information about whether it's reliable or better to stay away?
Any recommendations for lodging? And as far as activities, I'm planning to see Ufizzi and Academie, Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, and the shul/museum. Any other must sees? Thanks!
Ergel:
--- Quote from: Traveler718 on May 18, 2012, 05:31:54 PM ---I can't believe that Florence doesn't seem to have its own thread, just assorted mentions in the Venice and Rome forums. Looking for Florence for 2 days midweek - am I correct that there's no minyan there except on Shabbos? And I see Ruth's Kitchen, but it's under the supervision of the local Chief Rabbi. Does anybody have any information about whether it's reliable or better to stay away?
Any recommendations for lodging? And as far as activities, I'm planning to see Ufizzi and Academie, Pitti Palace, Ponte Vecchio, and the shul/museum. Any other must sees? Thanks!
--- End quote ---
I was recommended to stay away, YLORMV.
I think you got everything.
In my pre ddf days I stayed at hotel axial in the middle of the pedestrian area in the middle of town for $115/night. Nothing special but it got the job done
moish:
theres a market not too far from the shul that sells and heats up prepackaged rustichelli meals
i would download rick steves free city audio guide for a tour which ends at ponte vecchio. you can also get a nice view from the bell tower near the cathedral
there is also a jewish tour of florence, but as i didnt go on it, i cannot recommend either way
Ergel:
I took a city tour, interesting and reasonably priced.
Also there it's a hill overlooking the city which is pretty
jj1000:
An excerpt from my trip report: " Florence- A beautiful city. Some would call it the art capitol of the world. There is no full time shliach only on Shabbos and tourist season. There is a kosher restaurant called Ruth’s and around the corner a kosher market that sells sandwiches and sometimes pizza (hechsher?). Didn’t eat at either so I can’t report on the food. The 3 most famous museums are the Uffizi, pitti, and achedamia. I was fortunate to get there for culture week when every museum in Italy is free so I am not sure about prices for these museums. Uffizi has more sculptures than I knew existed in the world. There were some notable ones that I am sure everyone knows from gemara and Jewish history so those are cool to see and put a name with a face. The ceiling is stunning too it is an amazing museum although a bit repetitive and long. Don’t get me wrong I would encourage everyone to go there it is really amazing how detailed and realistic these thousands of years old sculptures are. The Pitti is a modern art museum, (do not be confused with the modern art of nowadays when they say modern they mean the time period of the the 1800’s). The art was very nice. The whole museum can probably be done in 30 min. maybe stretched out to an hour in general I always skip portraits because they bore me to death. The museum Achedamia is one of the reasons I went to Florence to see Michelangelo’s famous David. David definitely lived up to expectations it was the most beautiful sculpture I have ever seen in my life and this is after seeing about 500 at the Uffizi. The rest of the city is just plain pretty with a river flowing through the middle random sculptures all over and a ton more museums which I unfortunately did not have time to see… The Ponte Vecchio Bridge is famous nice walk but nothing to special in my opinion, just a ton of expensive jewelry I will never buy. Parking is a bit hard to find but it’s not too expensive once you do. The Portuguese shul is right next to the kosher places and is stunning definitely a must see. The leather market is very neat. There is one vender who is in love with Jews especially if you are wearing a yalmuka. He literally sold me stuff 30 euro cheaper than everyone else even with bargaining. You may need to shmooz with him but it’s worth it. IIRC His name is Marko just ask for him, he is the one that loves Israel. There may be 2 leather markets so make sure you are at the one closest to the Uffizi museum. There is also an antique market but it’s not nearly as large and varied as the one in Warsaw. I wish I had more time for other museums in Florence. I heard there is an amazing museum full of different types of war armors. Next time…"
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