FABULOUS FLORENCE GUIDE! CI VEDIAMO!

Ci vediamo! means "We will see each other!" Travelgoat.com is coming to Florence and here is a little taste of Italy.

Florence is known as the cradle of the Renaissance. I've spent a lot of time there. Florence has an enchanting ethereal quality about it that can't be explained. I will not attempt to convey its majesty in words; it is something that must be experienced for one's self, up close and personal.

Sights

The sights in Florence could take a full year to see. I was a religious visitor of the sights, and I didn't even get to all of them. Everyone will tell you to see the Uffizi and the David at the Accademia, so I won't even bother with the cliches (albeit cliches for a reason) that you'll probably visit anyway. Here are just a few to whet your whistle.

Pitti Palace

On a nice day, there is nothing better today than to start out in the Piazza Della Signoria, the old seat of government during the Renaissance, and start walking toward the Uffizi and over the Ponte Vecchio, the oldest bridge in Florence. A few blocks down you will find the Pitti Palace, designed by Brunelleschi for Luca Pitti, and then taken over and enlarged by the Medicis. This is an outstanding sight. The gallery inside has many excellent works by Raphael and other High Renaissance masters. The Boboli gardens are also a beautiful place to take a stroll if it is a nice day. One can wander for hours through this wonderful display of landscaping.

The Duomo

Towering over Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore church is truly a sight to be seen. Built over centuries and capped off by Brunelleschi, this was for centuries the largest free-standing dome in the world. Before you enter, visit the Baptistery to see the marvelous doors of Ghiberti (although they are a reproduction; the real doors are in the Museo Del Opera Del Duomo). Then, climb to the top to see Vasari's last judgment and a beautiful view of Florence.

Santa Maria Novella

The church's beautiful facade was designed by Leon Battista Alberti and is an astonishing work of the 15th century. Inside, you will find my favorite Florentine fresco cycle of the great master Domenico Ghirlandiaio. Also there: the beloved Trinity of Masaccio.

The Bargello

This old fortress/prison houses some of the best sculptures in the world including many works by Michelangelo.

San Miniato and Piazzale Michelangelo

This place, along with Fort Belvedere, is the best place to watch the sunset in Florence. Hike up to San Miniato, the oldest medieval church in Florence that also exudes a different vibe than the other Renaissance churches.

Forte Belvedere

This fort, built during the reign of Cosimo I in the 16th century, is a more relaxed and less touristy alternative to Piazzale Michelangelo. It has a great view of the city and interesting contemporary art installations.

Capella Brancacci

Located in the Santa Maria del Carmine church in Oltrarno, this is one of the finest works of Masaccio and Masolino, finished by Filippino Lippi. You need an appointment to see this so call ahead. After, go for a drink at Dolce Vita bar, the "it" bar of the 80's in Florence.

Museo San Marco

This museum usually gets overshadowed, but it has some amazing works by Fra Angelico in a cool setting. You can also see the radical-conservative monk Savonarola's sleeping cell.

Santa Croce

One of my favorite façades, Santa Croce is the resting place of Dante and many others. It features some of the best frescoes by Giotto.

San Lorenzo

The Medici local church, San Lorenzo's façade was never finished, although Michelangelo had grand plans in store. Also worth seeing is the Medici tomb inside, as well as Lorenzo's library, both designed by Michelangelo.

Santo Spirito

One of Brunelleschi's best, it also features Michelangelo's famous wooden Mary Magdelane.

Santissima Annunziata

This baroque church seems slightly out of place in Renaissance Florence, but it does have some amazing frescoes by Andrea Del Sarto, Rosso, and Pontormo. The Ospedale degli Innocenti is one of Brunelleschi's earliest works.

Museo Del Opera Del Duomo

Everything that is in the duomo is fake, but this museum houses the real deal. Most notably, it contains the real Ghiberti gates of paradise.

Palazzo Strozzi

The Palazzo has solid exhibitions often.

Palazzo Medici

An interesting hidden gem with some excellent Gozzoli frescoes in the chapel.

Restaurants

La Giostra (Borgo Pinti)

This is the grandaddy of them all. It is run by a Hapsburg prince named Dimitri who has Medici blood and his son Soldanno who is the biggest ladies man in all of Florence. When you go, you must tell Soldanno that Zach, Jeff and Ron sent you. You will be given the royal treatment. Ask for Demetri's antipasti explanation of pope's recipe, from Maremma.

Baldovino (Behind Santa Croce)

This is a great neighborhood trattoria that has pizza, pasta, salads and other great food. If you go, ask for Stefano and tell him that I sent you.

Beccofino (Oltrarno Neighborhood)

This is the upscale sister restaurant to Baldovino, and it is excellent. It is a New York type of place with great food and ambiance. Sort of a trendy vibe.

Quattro Leoni (Oltrarno Neighborhood)

This is Italian cooking like it should be; no bells and whistles and no b.s. This is just solid neighborhood cuisine done really well with a quaint atmosphere.

Pandamoneo (Oltrarno Neighborhood)

Mama cooks it up just right in this premium steak joint where one can get arguably the best cut of beef in Florence. The garganelli is also quite good and mama is a real character.

Cavolo Nero (Oltrarno)

A really small and charming place that blends the best aspects of contemporary and classic Italian food and ambience.

Tijauna (Via Ghibellina)

If you get bored of Italian food, check out this Mexican restaurant where the food is good and the atmosphere is fun.

Borgo Antico (Oltrarno)

Located in Piazza Santo Spirito with a beautiful outdoor setting, Borgo Antico has amazing seafood.

Fuor D'Aqua (Near You)

By far the best fish in Florence, but unbelievably expensive.

Osteria Caffe Italiano (Santa Croce)

One of the best places for lunch with a simple atmosphere and a menu that changes daily.

Mario (San Lorenzo)

One of the best deals in town. This is thought by many to be the best lunch place in town.

Buca Mario (Centro)

This gigantic cavernous restaurant has excellent food and probably the best fegato in town.

Alle Murate (Centro)

This old restaurant has a new location and a new menu, both of which are fabulous. It is now housed in a three story palazzo with frescoed ceilings and ruins in the basement. The menu is subtle and elegant. They have a great wine list.

Eby's Latin Bar (Volta San Pier Maggiore)

This tiny Latin Bar has the best burritos in town, although some people complain about the people who hang around outside. If you go there, you have to say hello to Soleda, a close friend of mine who works the day shift. Tell her that I say hello.

Antico Noe (Volta San Pier Maggiore)

This place has arguably the second best sandwiches in Florence and a very affable staff who will make you delectable sandwiches of your choice.

Il Massaccio (Piazzale Donatello)

Named after the master himself, these are the best sandwiches in town located near the Syracuse campus.

Secret Bakery (Santa Croce)

This gem is only open at night and has no sign. The best way to find it is to go to Piazza Santa Croce and sniff it out. It is located in the alleyways in front of the piazza and is only marked by an amazing aroma and an unsettling yellow light.

Vivoli (Via Isole delle Stinche)

This is the best gelato place in all of Florence. Some people may tell you that Coronas, Perche No, or Festival is better, but those people are just dead wrong. I like the Chocolate Coffee flavor; it contains real espresso beans. Mix it with a fruit flavor for a fantastic combination.

Nightlife

Florence nightlife in the summer is crazy and there are a couple of mega clubs on the outskirts that are only open then. These are worth going to once just to see, and they are Central Park and Meccano. Central Park is totally insane with a ferris wheel and other stupid stuff. But Here is a list of other cool spots in Florence.

Astor Caffe

Pretty swank and low key spot next to the Duomo, which has pretty good drinks.

Capocaccia

Great place to go for Aperitivo and essentially free food. Pretty bourgeois scene.

Faces

A total all you can drink bottom shelf open bar located in Oltrarno.

Space Electronica

The cheesiest club in town but therefore kind of amusing.

Full-Up

Also kind of cheesy, but has a couple of levels which can be okay.

Lion's Fountain

My local pub. It has great bar and is a great place to watch sporting events.

Stonehenge

Pretend-exclusive bar with membership card, which ends up being somewhat fun.

Blob

I don't like it but other people do. Has a distinct art student scene.

Red Garter

The place to go if you want to play beer pong and pretend you are at a frat party.

Yab

This is the super club of Florence located right in the middle. Fun for hip-hop night, but an annoying scene.

Andromeda

Another cheesy place.