Why Italy - What are some exciting things to do in Florence, Italy?

What are some exciting things to do in Florence, Italy?

I'm planning a trip to Florence, Italy this summer with my girlfriend. I wanted to know if anybody had any suggestions for exciting places to go and see. I prefer to do things just the two of us (no group tours or anything). Money doesn't matter at this point, we're just looking for something that will leave a good impression. Any suggestions?

Public Comments

Go to the jewelry district then if money is no object. I was there a few years ago and from what I remember you have to cross over a bridge to get to it, walking of course. I had a blast there. Then go to the, I think it was called the Bobali gardens...wow... that was beautiful.
Everything you'll need to know: http://www.thetravelzine.com/it_w2007_3Firenze.htm http://www.thetravelzine.com/it_w2006_5firenze.htm Have a great trip!
Places to see: ♦Baptistery (Budget) Duomo ♦Basilica di Santa Croce Santa Croce ♦Basilica di Santa Maria del Carmine Oltrarno ♦Cappelle Medicee San Lorenzo ♦Duomo (Budget) Duomo ♦Galleria degli Uffizi Piazza della Signoria ♦Loggia della Signoria Old Town Public Sculpture ♦Opificio delle Pietre Dure San Marco ♦Palazzo Pitti (Mid Range) Oltrarno Halls of History ♦Palazzo Vecchio (Budget) Piazza della Signoria Palatial Icon Places to Eat: ♦Alle Murate (Top End) Classy Dining ♦Antico Noè (Budget) Santa Croce Sandwich Legend ♦Caffè Coquinarius (Mid Range) Medieval Centre Wine-Soaked ♦Enoteca Pinchiorri (Deluxe) Santa Croce Tasty Tuscan ♦Giubbe Rosse (Budget) Duomo Classic Coffee ♦Gustavino (Top End) Piazza della Signoria Creative Delights ♦Il Vegetariano (Mid Range) San Marco Go Vego ♦Ristorante Beccofino (Deluxe) Santo Spirito Groovy Gastronomy ♦Sostanza (Mid Range) Santa Maria Novella Hands Off ♦Vini E Vecchi Sapori (Budget) Santa Croce Rustic Sensation Places to sleep: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/italy/florence/sleep or try: Hotel Nizza http://www.nizza.hotelinfirenze.com/ Night Time Veneus: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/italy/florence/night Places to Shop: ♦Assunta Anichini city centre Old Souls ♦Brancolini Grimaldi Old Town Art, If You Can ♦Bulgari Old Town Cool Jewels ♦Data Records Santa Croce High Fidelity ♦Emilio Pucci Old Town Groovy Baby! ♦Gucci Old Town Leather Fetish ♦Il Gatto Bianco Old Town Puss In Jewels ♦Officina Profumo Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella Santa Maria Novella Heaven Scent ♦Salvatore Ferragamo city centre Fancy Footwork ♦Tod's Old Town Shoe Biz Things To Do ♦Walking If you're desperate for a leg stretch and a bit of fresh air, a stroll around the Giardino di Boboli is recommended - the views from here are magnificent. ♦Cycling You can take full- and half-day mountain bike tours of the countryside around Florence, or rent a bike and tangle with the traffic in town. Check out this link: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/italy/florence/ Enjoy! (--,)
Go to Piazzale Michelangelo (bus 12 e 13) for a beautiful view of the city and take a walk to nearby San Miniato church, or to the Franciscan monastery in Fiesole (bus 7), then walk up the hill. If money is no object you might want to go by taxi, rather than the bus. These are romantic spots.
Good suggestions from the last writer. But of course for Italiy (and for romance) good food is indispensable.. - If you go to the San Miniato (worth it) and Piazale Michelangelo (beautiful in the dark too), walk down the stairs toward the river Arno and find ristorante La Beppa Fioraia (nearby a well known place called enoteca fiori porta, a pretty good wine bar). It is a very good, romantic and well hidden restaurant, appreciated by locals. - I like Fiesole too, it's much quieter than Florence, but it has gotten quite touristy now. See the great view and beautiful San Francesco church. Do you like hiking? One of my favorites is to walk to the 'monte ceceri' from Fiesole, it is the mountain were Leonardo da Vinci (or better his assistants) tested his flying machines. From that hill you can make a beautiful 40 mins walk (just ask- there are signs too) to a village called Maiano. There is a small trattoria called Da Graziella run by 2 old Italian guys. Have lunch there! It's good, cheap and (at least the terrace) romantic. Take a taxi back to Florence (not far). Enjoy!
If anyone glimpsed me staring down at the paving stones in the Santa Croce quarter of Florence, Italy, last summer, they might have thought me a little odd. After all, there are so many more attractive things to look out for - from Santa Croce's Gothic basilica for great art and the tombs of the famous to the celebrated Gelateria Vivoli for the indulgence of the taste buds. But for me, these well-worn stones held a more interesting secret. They were giving me the opportunity to literally walk in the footsteps of Dante, who held the down-to-earth job of supervisor of public works here in the early 1300s.