Florence Essentials

Florence Essentials & Tourist Information

Currency	Euro
Flight Time	UK 2H 30 minutes approx
Time Zone	GMT = +1 hour
Language	Italian
Voltage	220 V AC (two-pin plugs)

Florence Tourist Attractions
An unmissable attraction for art lovers is a visit to the Uffizi - which can lay claim to being one of the world's greatest art galleries. Collections by virtually all the great Renaissance paintings can be found here including Botticelli, da Vinci, Michelangelo and Caravaggio and makes a wonderfully fulfilling day out. Admission costs €6.50 with concessions available. The Duomo, Florence cathedral is yet another exceptionally popular attraction that sees a steady flow of visitors. It houses artefacts and art from as far back as the 14th century and its undoubted focal point is the mammoth central dome designed by Filippo Brunelleschi. Entry is free with a charge of €6 for the adjoining baptistery and museum.

Italian Phrases For Tourists  

Good morning	Buon giorno		I'm sorry	Scusi
Good evening	Buona sera		Does anyone here speak English?	C'è qualcuno che parla inglese?
Good-bye	Arrivederci		Where is...?	Dov'è ...?
Yes	Sì		Train Station	la stazione
No	No		Airport	l'aeroporto
Please	Per favore		Currency exchange	l'ufficio del cambio
Thank you very much	Molte grazie		The bill, please	Il conto per favore

Florence Opening Hours
Shops in Florence are generally open from 10am until 1pm and then from 4pm until 8pm on weekdays. Shops close earlier at 5pm on Saturdays and most are closed all day on Sundays. Late night shopping can be enjoyed each Thursday until 9pm.

Food & Drink in Florence
Florence food is noted for its delicious and colourful snacks and any visit should sample Florentine antipasti such as swordfish slices, wild rocket pasta salad or crostini with thick chicken-liver mousse. The many charming bread shops and delis stock a tempting range of savouries and breads such as taragon style hot chicken in foccacia and any lunchtime visit will offer a real taste and atmosphere of Florence to visitors.   

Florence Tipping & Etiquette
Services charges are not usually included in restaurant bills and a figure of 10% should be sufficient for a satisfactory service. A similar amount is normal for hotel room service and for taxi journeys. Other gratuities that should be considered include a few coins to hotel porters, bar staff and parking attendants.

Florence Useful Numbers
• Calling the UK from Venice – 0044 + area code minus zero + number
• Police – 112
• Ambulance – 112
• Fire - 112

Disabled Access in Florence
Despite receiving over 6 million a year and recent improvements in accessibility, Florence still presents some obstacles for wheelchair users. Old, uneven surfaces and a lack of disabled toilets may present a problem to many. Popular attractions such as Santa Maria del Fiore and Boboli Gardens do have adapted services such as ramps, walkways and tactile surfaces and there is a good supply of hotel accommodation catering to the disabled. 

Italian Embassies
• GB Embassy  Via XX Settembre 80 I-00187 Roma RM, Italy Telephone (+39) 06 4220 0001
• Italy Embassy - 14 Three Kings Yard, London W1K 4EH, Telephone: 020 7312 2200.

Florence City Breaks  Getting Around Florence

Things To Do In Florence  Florence Weather