Florence

Comment by Mary Lou Grier on July 4, 2008 at 7:37pm

My youngest son, Jim, the Challenger Jet pilot, was so impressed with the bells of the Duomo pealing out the hours,
half-hours, etc., and he would love to hear them again. Can
anyone record them so they will play on the Cafe?

Comment by Laurel Brown on July 8, 2008 at 1:35pm

If you haven't read it yet, treat yourself to "Bruneleschi's Dome", a fascinating history of the people, politics, and sheer genius that went into building the marvelous dome of the Duomo. We're planning to take the tour up through the outer wall of the dome to the top this September when we visit again.

Comment by Sue Baker on July 23, 2008 at 12:26pm

Good recommendation, Laurel. I think before my '09 trip, I'll read Brunelleschi's Dome. I did make the walk up into the dome with my semi-claustrophic sister. She did fine! Lots of steps but there are windows along the way and it's just so interesting! This year I re-read The Agony and the Ecstasy and concentrated on all things Michaelangelo. It gave a great focus to my days in Florence.

Comment by Gilderic on August 18, 2008 at 11:47am

It's really a beautiful city ! I have wonderful sunny memories of my trip there !

Comment by Mary Lou Grier on August 19, 2008 at 10:19am

Sue,
I did a blog on the book, Brunelleschi's Dome, on my home page,
if you'd like to read it.
Mary Lou

Comment by Pete and Maggie Haggart on October 14, 2008 at 9:42pm

Just back from our Untour to Venice and Florence. Florence was a real adventure thanks to Untours. The "Art Crawl" after an 8 course "family" dinner hosted by Untours was something that we will always remember - as well as the Gregorian Chant church service on a Sunday evening. All this and more we will be blogging about soon at the Cafe!

Comment by Pat Boyd on May 1, 2009 at 7:56pm

We're coming to Florence with Untours May 13-27, 2009, and want to find out when the orientation and get-together with other Untourists will be scheduled. Anyone know how to get hold of Mary Jane Poole by email? Pat & Bob

Comment by Deborah and Donald Wise on August 20, 2009 at 1:43pm

Hope everything turned out for you. Let us know how Florence was as we will be there next month.

Comment by John O'Keefe on March 21, 2013 at 4:30am

Any advice/experience with the Friends of the Uffizi all-inclusive ticket? It seems like a good deal if you don't want to decide ahead of time on a date/time to visit museums, but I'm a little concerned about the capacity control (4 entries/15 minutes).

Comment by Laura S. Morris on March 25, 2013 at 7:01pm

I notice this is really old.  Has nobody been to Florence or wanted any info since 2011?  I'm writing this in case others are looking at this blog for information and not finding anything.

Florence is a delight!  I've never stayed more than a couple of days--mostly just one day while on a cruise--but have been there five times andcould live there if it weren't so expensive.  Don't fill your week with the "tourist" spots so tight that you don't have time to explore.  It is a small city and very walkable, even for someone like me with bad knees.  Be sure to do at least one lunch at the rooftop restaurant at Rinascente--best view in town (360), good food, and not too expensive. 

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