ITALY - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1136

Orientation to Florence
The best of Florence lies on the north bank of the Arno River. The main historical sights
cluster around the red-brick dome of the cathedral (Duomo). Everything is within a
20-minute walk of the train station, cathedral, or Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge). The less fam-
ous but more characteristic Oltrarno area (south bank) is just over the bridge. Though small,
Florence is intense. Prepare for scorching summer heat, slick pickpockets, few WCs, steep
prices, and long lines. Easy tourist money has corrupted some locals, making them greedy
and dishonest (check your bill carefully). The big news for visitors to Florence is the ener-
getic young mayor's passion for traffic-free zones. Once brutal for pedestrians, the city is
now a delight on foot.
Tourist Information
Florence has two separate TI organizations, which are equally helpful.
One TI has two different branches, both with a focus on the city. The main branch
is across the square from the train station and very crowded (Mon-Sat 8:30-19:00, Sun
8:30-14:00; with your back to tracks, exit the station—it's 100 yards away, across the
square in wall near corner of church at Piazza Stazione 4; if you see a “tourist information”
desk inside the train station, it's a hotel-booking service in disguise; tel. [phone],
www.firenzeturismo.it ). The other branch is very centrally located at Piazza del Duomo ,
at the west corner of Via Calzaiuoli (it's inside the Bigallo Museum/Loggia; Mon-Sat
9:00-19:00, Sun 9:00-14:00).
The other TI organization covers both the city and the greater province of Florence. Its
main branch is a couple of blocks north of the Duomo (Mon-Sat 8:30-18:30, closed Sun,
just past Medici-Riccardi Palace at Via Cavour 1 red, tel. [phone], international book-
store across street); a second branch is at the airport (daily 8:30-20:30).
AtanyTI,perusethesefree,handyresourcesinEnglish(though,sincetheyoverlapquite
a bit, you probably don't need them all):
• city map (also ask for the transit map, which has bus routes of interest to tourists on the
back; your hotel likely has freebie maps, too)
• current museum-hours listing (very important, since no guidebook—including this
one—haseverbeenabletoaccuratelypredictthehoursofFlorence'ssightsforthecom-
ing year; you can also download this list at www.firenzeturismo.it )
• a list of current exhibitions
• a printout of what's happening that day
• the compact Firenze Info booklet, loaded with useful practical details