Oct 9

Oct 9 24 Hours in Florence

First things first - Should I drive or ride the train? Consider….

1) How many people are going and what’s most cost effective. A train ticket for 3+ people could be more than gas, tolls, and parking.

*Right now, 9 Oct at 09:30, tickets are 20€+ from Vicenza to Firenze Santa Maria Novella.

*Parking in the ZTL - here - will cost 25€ a day which includes a ZTL permit. Parking by the train station - here - will cost you 15€ for 4 hours.

2) What’s less stressful? Note: If there’s an accident on the road, traffic backs up pretty quickly.

3) Do you want to arrive, depart, and make stops at your leisure?

If Florence is your only destination, you’re nervous about driving, and/or don’t want to play the guessing game, then ride the train. Firenze Santa Maria Novella station is a short walk to the duomo/centro. No gas, no tolls, no traffic (perhaps a train delay), no parking.

Where did we stay?

At this beautiful Airbnb near Ponte Vecchio Bridge and the river. It’s very convenient to the ZTL parking garage, great restaurants, shopping, and the main attractions. It overlooks a busy intersection as the bridge is right outside your window.

Itinerary

Day 1 (lunch time)

Check-in to accommodations
Have lunch Explore the area you’re staying in Time for gelato or spritz! Or both!
Uffizi Gallery (Plan to be here for 2 hours at least) - Buy art from some of the licensed artists outside the gallery.
Stop for aperitivo supplies @ Alimentari Uffizi
Find a nice area to sit, or return to accommodations, for aperitivo
Relax and get ready for dinner
Dinner @ Braceria Dei Tre Amici
Walk after dinner to view the river, Ponte Vecchio bridge, & Basilica of Santa Croce @ night