One of the most beautiful and historically significant cities in the world…join me to help you decide what to do, where to go, where to stay and what to eat in beautiful Florence.

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Music by:
https://www.epidemicsound.com

Thanks to Audrey Kennedy for the help! If you need a travel agent, she is the best!
https://onthemaptravel.com/

FEATURED IN THIS VIDEO:
How to enter the city:
– From Pisa Airport (Gallilei Gallileo International Airport): take the Pisamover to Pisa Centrale Station and buy a ticket to Florence (Santa Maria Novella Station)
– From Florence Airport (Peretola)
The cheapest option is the new T2 tram at Santa Maria Novella station in Florence.
Or just get in a taxi)

How to avoid queues:
(VERY IMPORTANT TO AVOID SPENDING HOURS IN THE FINES!)
– The most user-friendly website to book skip-the-line ticket times (for the Uffizi Gallery and the Academia Gallery (Michelangelo's David) is:
https://www.florence-tickets.com/florence
(But you'll pay higher fees…but it's user-friendly)
– The official ticketing site for the Uffizi and David Gallery is B-ticket:
http://www.b-ticket.com/b-ticket/uffizi/default_eng.aspx
(Less user-friendly, but cheaper ticket price… and it's not that difficult to understand)
– The official website to book a ride to the Duomo is here (this will also include entry to all Duomo attractions):
https://grandemuseodelduomo.waf.it/fr/ticket-cumulatif-grand-musée-de-la-cathedrale-de-florence

– You can also call to reserve a time at the Uffizi and David by calling this number from an American telephone:
011-39-055-294-883
– Or this number from an Italian telephone:
055-294-883

You can also sometimes book through your hotel (if you are staying in a hotel)
Or opt for a small group tour like ArtVivia (more expensive, but highly recommended):
https://www.artviva.com/

Food:
– All'Antico Vinaio
-Gustapizza
– The Volpi and the Uva
-Trattoria Mario
– Trattoria Za Za
-Zeb
– Cibrèo Trattoria
– Osteria Santo Spirito
– Giovanni's Osteria
-Trattoria Giovanni

Ice :
-Venchi
– Vivoli
– Gelateria La Carraia
– Gelateria Artigianale La Strega Nocciola
– Gelateria Santa Trinita
– My sugar
– Gelateria Dei Neri (one of my two favorites)
– Perché Non (my favorite)

Neighborhoods/Places/Sites:
– Signoria Square
– Ponte Vecchio (Make sure you climb to the top)
– Oltrarno (across any of the bridges across the Arno River)
-San Frediano
– Holy Spirit
– Walk along the Arno River

Markets:
– Central Market
– San Lorenzo Market
– Loggia du Mercato New
– Sant'Ambrogio Market

Michelangelo's David:
Academy Gallery
(Again…be sure to reserve an entry time in advance)

Other museums/art/history:
– Uffizi Gallery (BOOK IN ADVANCE)
– Palazzo Vecchio
– Pitti Palace

Churches:
– The Duomo di Firenze, as well as the crypt below, the baptistery and Giotto's bell tower (although, as I said in the video… you'll get just as good a view of the city by climbing the Palazzo Vecchio with A LOT LESS crowd)
– Basilica of Santa Croce (burial place of famous Italians)
– Medici Chapel (also Medici family tomb)

Parks/Nature:
– Boboli Gardens (magnificent and huge, impressive park)
– Giardino Bardini (My favorite park in the city)
– Rent a bike and ride the hills above Florence. Best route (in my opinion) Cross the Ponte all Grazie (bridge) and cycle up the hills above Piazzale Michaelangelo.

City views:
– la Rinascente (4th floor…at the top of the green stairs)
– Westin Excelsior Rooftop Bar
– Watch the sunset over St Trinity Bridge

Tuscany:
(I rented a car… I think it cost me around 50 euros for the day)
– Tuscany Day Trip/Wine Tour (There are many tour options… I loved the Small Group Half Day Tour with Prestige Rental… I found it on Trip Advisor ( link here):
https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g187895-d11458040-Small_Group_Wine_Tasting_Experience_in_the_Tuscan_Countryside-Florence_Tuscany.html
– Siena (if you only visit one city in Tuscany… do it in Siena. Also take the bus, not the train)
– San Gimignano (can be seen on the same day as Siena as they are close)
– Pisa
– Lucca (the aerial photo of Lucca comes from videoblocks.com)

PLACES THAT I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO PRESENT:
Restaurants:
– Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori (VERY POPULAR place. Reservations are essential)
– Bella Donne (fantastic meatballs…or “polpettine”)
– Hostaria Il Desco (great little hidden gem near Ponte Vecchio in a winding alley)

Other things to see/do:
– Bargello Museum
– Strozzi Museum
– Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (the Duomo Museum)

MY EQUIPMENT:
– Main camera: Panasonic GH5 (with Metabones Speedbooster adapter and XLR hot shoe mount for my lav mic)
– Second camera (for studio shooting): Sony FS5 with Canon 24-70 2.8
Lenses: Panasonic Lumix 12-35 2.8, Panasonic Lumix 35-100 2.8, Sigma Art 18-35 1.8 lens, Canon 24-70 2.8
– Gimbal: DJI Ronin S
-Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Zoom
– Camera slider: Rhino ROV Pro

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