Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
By Plane
For information on Florence's
Amerigo Vespucci Airport,
see “Florence Connections,”
near the end of this chapter.
TheftAlert:
Florencehasparticularlyhardworkingthiefgangswhohangoutwhereyoudo:
near the train station, the station's underpass (especially where the tunnel surfaces), and
at major sights. American tourists—especially older ones—are considered easy targets.
Some thieves even dress like tourists to fool you. Be on guard at two squares frequented
by drug pushers (Santa Maria Novella and Santo Spirito). Bus #7 (to the nearby town of
Fiesole,withgreatFlorenceviews)isafavoritewithtouristsand,therefore,withthieves.
Medical Help:
There's no shortage of English-speaking medical help in Florence. To reach
adoctorwhospeaksEnglish,call
MedicalServiceFirenze
at055-475-411;thephoneis
answered 24/7. Rates are reasonable. For a doctor to come to your hotel within an hour
of your call, you'd pay €100-200 (higher rates apply on Sun, holidays, or for late vis-
its). You pay only €50 if you go to the clinic when the doctor's in (Mon-Fri 11:00-12:00
& 17:00-18:00, Sat 11:00-12:00, closed Sun, no appointment necessary, between the
Duomo and Piazza della Repubblica at Via Roma 4).
Dr. Stephen Kerr
is an English doctor specializing in helping sick tourists (drop-in
clinic openMon-Fri15:00-17:00,othertimes byappointment, €50/visit,Piazza Mercato
Nuovo 1, between Piazza della Repubblica and Ponte Vecchio, tel. 055-288-055, mobile
335-836-1682,
www.dr-kerr.com
)
. The TI has a list of other English-speaking doctors.
There are 24-hour
pharmacies
at the train station and on Borgo San Lorenzo (near the
Baptistery).
Museum Strategies:
If you want to see a lot of museums, the pricey Firenze Card—which
saves you from having to wait in line or make reservations for the Uffizi and Accade-
Churches:
Some churches operate like museums, charging an admission fee to see their
art treasures. Modest dress for men, women, and even children is required in some
churches (including the Duomo, Santa Maria Novella, Santa Croce, Santa Maria del
Carmine—with the Brancacci Chapel, and the Medici Chapels), and recommended for
all of them—no bare shoulders, short shorts, or short skirts. At many churches, you can
borrow or buy a cheap, disposable poncho for instant respectability. Be respectful of
worshippers and the paintings; don't use a flash. Churches usually close from 12:00 or
12:30 to 15:00 or 16:00.
Addresses:
Forreasonsbeyondhumanunderstanding,Florencehasaridiculouslyconfusing
system for street addresses, with separate numbering for businesses (red) and residences
(black). In print, this designation is sometimes indicated by a letter following the num-
