Here is some information and advice to help you get the most out of your trip to Florence. During your stay at the Hotel Il Bargellino, we will be happy to assist you with information about local sights, restaurants, and/or museum bookings. 

WHEN TO VISIT

The best time to visit if you want to avoid crowds is before Easter or during late Fall.

TOURIST INFORMATION

Make use of the Tourist Information Offices in the city to get an update on what’s going on around the city – they also supply maps indicating the major site locations. This makes it easy to orient yourself on Florence's winding streets.

Tourist Office Locations:

• Via Cavour 1r (near the Duomo) Mon. through Sat. 8:15am to 7:15pm Sun. 8:15am to 1:45pm.
• Borgo Santa Croce 29r Mon. Through Sat. 8:30am to 7:15pm.
• At the train station, by the short tower near the bus stops and east exit. Mon. through Sat. 8:30am to 1:45pm.
• At the airport there is a small office open from 8:30am to 10:30pm.
  

WEATHER

MUSEUMS

Please note: many, though not all, of Florence's major museums are closed on Mondays. Check before you go!

The official site of the Uffizi Gallery is at http://www.uffizi.firenze.it/ -- you can also visit the "Virtual Uffizi" at http://www.arca.net/uffizi/ .

You can pre-book most major museums, but there is a €3 booking charge, they accept cash only, and you will need to show up at least 10 minutes before your assigned entry time to collect your tickets. There will be and additional €3 fee when/if there are any special exibitions at the time of your visit.

PERSONAL SAFETY

• Bring photocopies of your passport, credit cards etc. This will make it easier to file a  report for a replacement should you lose them. 
• DON'T lose them. It can be a major hassle and waste of your vacation time.
• As in any large city, be careful of pickpockets. It’s no fun to lose money and documents. Wear a money belt or pouch inside your clothing.

You can find ATM and cash machines throughout the city. 

Exchange booths usually take a hefty commission.

For best exchange rates, use:

American Express office: Via Dante Alighieri 22r Tel. O55 50 981. Open Mon. through Friday 9am to 5:30pm; Sat. 9am to 12:30pm.

Or a bank:

General opening hours: Mon. through Fri. 8:20am to 1:20pm; Afternoons from 2:35pm to 3:35pm.

TELEPHONES

The prepaid international phone cards (with the scratch-off PIN numbers) should work from all public telephones. For charge card and collect calls, you can reach an ATT operator by dialing 800 172 444, a SPRINT operator by dialing 800 172 405, and an MCI operator by dialing 800 905 825  –  at Euro-operated coin phones, you must insert a coin to access these numbers, but your coin will be returned once your call is completed.

The phone cards (schede telefoniche) that you put into a slot on the telephone are easy to use, but are best for making calls within Italy--prepaid international phonecards are better for calling internationally. Remember to tear off the perforated corner before using the card. If there are not sufficient funds on the card, the call will not go through. 

Phone cards for €5,00 or €10,00 are available for sale at bars, newspaper stands and tobacconists.

GETTING AROUND

Bus

You can find city bus tickets at bars, newspaper stands, and tobacconists, anywhere you see a window sticker that says ATAF. 

The orange city buses are good for excursions to places like 

• Fiesole, a small town overlooking Florence. Take bus #7 to Fiesole, about 40mins ride into the hills.
• Piazzale Michelangelo, with its magnificent view of the city. It is a quick ride up on either bus #12 or 13, and you can walk or ride down.
  

• #14: Station-Duomo-Santa Croce
• #20: Fortezza da Basso-Piazza San Marco
• #31/32: Station-Ponte alla Carraia-Santo Spirito-Palazzo Pitti
• Vola in Bus: Station-Peretola (Airport)  In this case only, tickets are available for purchase on the bus.
  
• Letter B bus: Duomo-Pitti Palace-Ponte alla Carraia-Station

Taxi

You get a taxi either at a taxi stand or by telephone. Don’t bother to try hailing one. When it rains or at rush hour they will be hard to come by.

If you must have a taxi at a certain time to get to the airport etc., reserve one the night before by phone. It’s well worth the small extra charge. 

Car

I do not recommend driving in Italy unless you plan to go to places not easily reached by public transportation.

You will not be allowed to drive in the city center except to unload luggage at your hotel or to get to a garage. 

Street parking in the center is for residents only. You can find street parking on the ring roads and near the “Fortezza Da Basso”.  Parking can be difficult and/or expensive. Never leave anything interesting to a thief visible in your car when you street park.

Day Trips (by train or bus)

There are lots of day trips you can easily take from Florence. Lucca, Siena and Pisa are all about one hour away either by train or Sita bus. The Sita bus company, best for Siena and San Gimignano, is located at Via Santa Caterina da Siena 15.

Trains/Planes

The best place to buy tickets and reserve seats is at a travel agency. The closest one is “Fiorino Viaggi” to the left on Via Nazionale. Most travel agencies are closed on Saturday afternoon and Sunday. 

You can view train schedules, and book tickets online in some cases, at the official web site of the Italian train service: http://www.fs-on-line.com/index(or go directly to the English-language site by clicking here.) Make sure to validate your train ticket before boarding.