Florence Italy master thread

[Chapshnell]

We've had this argument before but I'm still shocked when people don't include the David on any one day in Florence itinerary

you rather starve? its good in a dire situation

[Chapshnell]

Venice isn't known for art, Florence is known for some. I assume you like the museums in Paris better?

Yeah.. My fave 3 are:

Gallery in London
Louvre
The Met

Venice had an art gallery which was terrible, Florence had some good pieces here & there but overall it wasnt my taste.

[Yehoshua]

How hard is it to get around the Tuscany region by public transportation? ie in Siena there is a kosher winery under the OK.

Hard, time consuming but doable. Rent a car and save yourself the hassle.

[Ergel]

you rather starve? its good in a dire situation

I assume you quoted the wrong post.
I don't think Yehuda meant from a food quality perspective, but rather a kashrus one

[Chapshnell]

I assume you quoted the wrong post.
I don't think Yehuda meant from a food quality perspective, but rather a kashrus one

oh ok.. its a vegetarian place.. AYLOR.
Such a place in NY would close down after a week.

[ajs625]

Has anyone been to the shuls/historic jewish sites in and around the area? Which ones do you recommend going to see?

[Yehoshua]

Has anyone been to the shuls/historic jewish sites in and around the area? Which ones do you recommend going to see?

I was at the shuls in Siena and Florence, with Florence being a lot bigger and nicer.

[ajs625]

Hard, time consuming but doable. Rent a car and save yourself the hassle.

Did you get a car in florence or you had a car the whole time?

[Yehoshua]

Did you get a car in florence or you had a car the whole time?

We rented a car in Rome, drove to Tivoli, then to Pienza where we spent the night. Next day we drove to a few towns in Tuscany before ending up in Florence for the night. The Tuscany part of my TR can be found here.

[ajs625]

Thanks

[Chapshnell]

Has anyone been to the shuls/historic jewish sites in and around the area? Which ones do you recommend going to see?

Shul in Florence is very nice. If you like old jewish antiques, letters etc they have some interesting kesubas hanging on the shul walls. Some I found fascinating

[ajs625]

Has anyone stayed at Hotel Regency in Florence? What was your experience?

[maxie m]

Has anyone been to the Prada space outlet in montevarchi(a little off of Florence)?is it worh visiting?heard from a friend that the prices were dirt cheap compared to the states,but looking online I'm getting conflicting reports, thanks!

[yg99]

Yes, I've been there. My wife says the prices were great.

[rcarentals]

Trying to figure out 2 days worth of touring in Florence. Looking for suggestions/critique/ideas/info.

People seem to only ever go for one day.. but surely there is enough for two?

Day 1 Arriving around 11am at the Hotel Lungarno right by the Ponte Vecchio

Freshen up and go for some light touring
Eat food brought with from NYC for brunch.
Walk to the Ferregamo Museum
Then the Uffizi
Walk to Piazzale Michelangelo
Then taxi to Bobolini gardens (if too tired then will skip this and taxi straight to ruths?)
--Dinner ar Ruths taxi back to hotel
Then enjoy the ponte vecchio/Arno for Sunset

Day 2. Walking everywhere
Not sure what we will be eating - heard about a pizza place that also sells turkey sandwhiches - does it still exist? if so anyone know where?
Start with a tour of the Jewish Shul + Museum walking there from the Hotel/Ponte Vecchio
Walk to the Accademia gallery
walk to the Leather markets
Walk via the Duomo to the Arno back through city.
(Dinner at ruths? taxi there n back.)

(this second day comes out to 3 miles walking the whole time - not bad.)

Day 3 early train to venice.
--------------
trying to figure out which museum passes are worth buying in advance and which are not - also anyone figure out if the english tours are on the half hour or the hour at the shul?
any suggestions for food? local kosher items? bread? kosher lists or supermarket with kosher products?

[maxie m]

Yes, I've been there. My wife says the prices were great.

just saw your post, would you remember ballpark range? Thanks!

[@Yehuda]

Rcarentals: if you're into museums, then I'm sure you can fill up 2 days. FYI: check into Kashrus at Ruth's. Not everyone agrees that it's reliable.

[rcarentals]

where are the turkey sandwhiches and pizza from? any other ideas for food in Florence itself?

[MANDMMOM]

Hi,
Has anyone been to Sicily/Palermo/Syracuse? Thinking of doing a Monday-Thursday trip there, staying in Venice the Shabbos before and in Switzerland the Shabbos afterwards. Any recommendations on activities and hotels there? Also would Venice and Sicily be very similar experiences and should I exchange one for a different Italian city?
TIA

[dogfighter422]

We will be staying in Florence during our honeymoon for 3 nights, 6/15-6/18. We have ample Hilton points to stay at the Hilton Metropele, just outside of town, for free. I'm wondering if we would be missing out on the romance of the town by staying in a business Hilton outside the city? Would we be better off spending $800 to stay at the gorgeous Mulino Di Farenza? Or spend less and stay inside the city in a B&B? Or should we stay at an agroturismo outside the city?

We plan on touring Florence for two of the days and taking a wine tour one of the days.

Before this we will be travelling for 4 nights in Venice and 2 nights in Cinque Terre!

Thank's for your help! We've looked at Westin Excelsior and St Regis but they are all booked up for point redemptions!