Preparing for Florence: Tips & Hints

1. The locals are distinguished by refined manners and attention to appearance. Tourists will also need to select a wardrobe carefully and wear clothes does not look sloppy.

2. For many travelers language barrier is a serious problem. There are not many people who speak English among the inhabitants of Florence. Each hotel has guides to help vacationers get in touch with local residents.

3. Don’t forget to pick up clothes carefully before visiting religious sites. Other way you can be not allowed to enter churches and cathedrals. Women need to wear skirts that are below the knee level and must cover their heads with a handkerchief, and men to wear stringent pants.

4. It’s normal to leave a tip in the restaurants and cafes. The usual amount of tips is around 10% of the bill.

5. from 14.00 to 15.30 is siesta. The majority of shops and restaurants are closed during this period. It is also not recommended to make phone calls during this time.

6. Tourists with children and young people should be careful when buying tickets to public transport. There is an interesting system of discounts in the city, so you can save considerably on travelling.

7. You can easily get to all main attractions of the city by bus. The public transport network is really well-developed here.

8. Late autumn is the best time to travel to Florence. At this time of the year the weather is fine all the time, and there are not so many tourists on the streets of the city like in summer or on the Christmas Eve.

9. You can pay with credit cards in large shops and hotels of the city, but on street markets you will need to pay with paper money. Small denominations are also recommended as it will be easier to pay to sellers.

10. Those, who want to save money on food, are recommended to visit local cafes and bars. In addition to widest choice of drinks they offer excellent salads and snacks at reasonable prices.

Other articles about Florence:
Traditions and lifestyle
Florence sightseeing
Best restaurants and cuisine
Florence attractions and leisure
Florence cityguide
Photogallery of Florence