[Idyllchat] Hotels in Florence

[Elaine Nordstrom]

Janet,
I booked the tickets a couple of months before we went because we were going in high summer.  I wanted to be sure that we got tickets for the museums we wanted to see and at times that would be practical for us and make the best use of the few days we had.  You print out the reservation/ticket and take that to the window.  No problem at all.  There was a separate door for reservations, clearly marked at the Uffizi.  At the Accademia we started to wait in the regular line but I asked the person in front of me and there was a separate door to the left there also.  
We found a nice shop for Venetian glass jewelry across the Ponte Vecchio and a block or two up on the left.  I wish I had bought more.  The view from the cafe on top of the big department store, La Rinascente, just across the piazza from the Pendini is beautiful.  I got some of my best pictures of the city from there.  Look for free concerts.  We stumbled onto one while walking home one night.  It was wonderful.
My friends and I like to plan out some of the "must sees" ahead of time and then enjoy the the wonderful moments and places that you just stumble upon as they happen.  I liked the Hop on Hop Off bus.  It was a good way to spot places we would like to go back to and to get the lay of the city.  It goes over to Michaelangelo park across the Arno, a great view of the city, and to Fiesole up in the hills, yet another lovely view and a cool breeze.
Elaine
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Janet Backus 
  To: Elaine Nordstrom 
  Sent: Saturday, May 26, 2007 8:22 AM
  Subject: Re: [Idyllchat] Hotels in Florence


  Thank you Elaine,
  I've heard for four Untourists and three recommended the Pendini so I believe that's where we'll book through Untours. another Untourist said since we were leaving at 7:40 a.m. from Florence Airport he'd suggest we pick something up the night before to take with us for breakfast that morning.  He also suggested we leave Pendini about 5 or 5:30 a.m.  Like you, he said the staff was most helpful and arranged for the taxi.
  I also thank you for your the information on reservations.  Someone else responded and said they only waited in line 10 minutes as opposed to others who got tickets there and waited for hours.  We definitely will do that.  Can you please tell me how far in advance you got your tickets and do you just get a confirmation number and then go to a will call (or whatever it is called in Florence) window and pick them up?
  Lastly, any fond memories for a restaurant for dinner in Florence?
  Since that would be our last meal in Italy, any recommendations on a restaurant in Florence?
  Thank you again for the information - Every e-mail I get from an Untourist makes me more and more excited about taking this adventure!
  Janet


   
  ----- Original Message ----
  From: Elaine Nordstrom <elainenordstrom at comcast.net>
  To: idyllchat at lists.untours.com; Janet Backus <mzjanb at sbcglobal.net>
  Sent: Friday, May 25, 2007 5:08:51 PM
  Subject: Re: [Idyllchat] Hotels in Florence


  Janet,
  We, too, stayed in the 2 bedroom suite at the Pendini.  I found it right in the middle of everything and within walking distance for the average person to all the museums.  I made reservations online and skipped the long line with ease.  It worked perfectly.  I just went to the museum's website and did it that way.  The Pendini has a large spread for breakfast and a nice breakfast room with a view of the square.  They made sure we had breakfast before we left early for the airport and the taxis were very reliable.  You will have a wonderful time.
  Elaine
  Elaine
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Janet Backus 
    To: idyllchat at lists.untours.com 
    Sent: Thursday, May 24, 2007 10:29 AM
    Subject: [Idyllchat] Hotels in Florence


    Hello to all you "been there-done that" Untourists,
    Thanks for so much information on South Tuscany Untour and here's another question.
    Our tour 9/26 - 10/10, we decided to spend our last two nights in Florence.
    Looking for recommendations on a hotel - Untours offers to make reservations for us at 3
    (hotels Pendini/Basilea/Ritz) or several we can make on our own.  Some include breakfast but since scheduled departure time is 7:40 a.m., not sure that matters.
    Transportation to the airport in Florence - are the taxis reliable to get us there that early 
    Museums in Florence - did anyone make reservations online before leaving US? How did it work for you?
    Thanks again,
    Janet



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