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FLORENCE - STAY FOR LESS "EURO"

FLORENCE is situated on the Arno River , in N/W Italy , at its narrowest yet still navigable spot. Settled first by Northern Italian Tribes until 59BC when Julius Caesar set up an Army Garrison for Veterans & called it Florentia “the flourishing one”. After the Romans left 5Cmany foreign invasions & local family disputes restricted the City's progress until the emergence of the MEDICI Banking family in the 15C. They began the Renaissance, the merging of Art & Science, thus establishing FLORENCE as the birthplace of the modern developing World.

ACCOMMODATION

NO 1 – ARCHI ROSSI HOSTEL, on Via Faenza 94, 50123 Firenze (close to the main Rail Station) tele 055 290 804 - Email:ostelloarchirossi@hotmail.com - E20 in 6 x dorm rooms, incl linen & cooked breakfast. No kitchen facilities but microwave oven available in the large canteen/ TV area. Basic seating & Internet (free) is in reception area but large ornate garden at rear is best to relax in. This is a well managed Hostel is run on precision lines – 1. you cannot book in advance but simply turn up early to secure an available bed which remains yours till you leave – 2. your room key allows you back into the Hostel & must be shown to reception on each return – 3. breakfast selection is also by numbers, with wall pictures 1 to 9, with your choice declared at reception & served in the canteen – understood?

Reserve – Santa Monaca Ostello, on Via Santa Monaca 6, 50124 Firenze (over the Arno , next to the Magi Market) tele +39 055 268 338 – www.ostello.it - E17 in 10 x dorms with night sheets & lockable (own) wardrobes, sep. bathrooms. Basic kitchen (no utensils) but with washing m/c, baggage store & Internet. Adjacent is another basic room with table & chairs - daily bedroom lockout is from 0930 till 1400hrs.

FOOD – supplies for the limited cooking facilities in both Hostels is also limited in Florence itself. Only 2 were found in the Central area – a Cotral Supermarket is located underneath the North end of the Rail Station, on the outside, but its small size & a little expensive. Another is the Magi Market, a new store, located next door to the reserve Hostel, but also pricey

TRAVELLING AROUND – in Florence itself is a must to wander around on foot to find the many impressive Statues, Buildings, Squares & Bridges to be found all over this amazing City - a good tourist map is essential! Across the Arno River Bridges are many other treats, especially the panorama views from Micaelangelo's Piazza. Another journey, which should be made, is a day trip to PISA as it's so close. It takes 90 mins. by Train & only costs E10 return.

FREE SIGHTS TO SEE

1. DUOMO – by Brunelleschi in 1436, originally a Roman Temple site, with 3 Apses as stem flowers
2. PONTE VECCHIO – not the prettiest but most snapped, Butchers till 1593 then Jewellers Shops
3. PIAZZA SIGORIA – hub of City with copy of DAVID & Neptune's Fountain by Amannati
4. BABTRISTRY – with gleaming copies of Ghilbertis Bronze Doors facing Duomo which are amazing
5. PIAZZALE MICHAELANGELO - elevated DAVID in Square above the Arno with fabulous views
6. BOBLI GARDENS – laid out 16C & Grotto with Buontalenti's Venus & outside of Palazzo Pitti
7. ARNO RIVER – walk the bank paths & cross the many bridges to see the rowboats & marmots
8.MERCATO CENTRALE – large covered Market on 2 floors selling fresh produce & treats
9. PONTE SANTA TRINITA – 1567, blown up by Nazis 1944, rebuilt 1958, last head found 1961
10. CASA BUONARROTI – MA's home where he used to rest his weary head after an inspired day

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. GAL. ACCADEMIA – MA's original 1501 DAVID now here, since 1873 from o/s Palazzo Vecchio
2. UFFIZI – 16C Offices now MEDICI Museum of Arts & Sculptures – book up well in advance!
3. MUSEO BARGELLO – best Tuscan Sculptures, MA's Bacco, Brutus & Madonna, Don's St George
4. PALAZZO MEDICI RICCARDI – first MEDICI Palace built by Cosimo in 1433, massive walls.

SPECIAL DAY TRIP TO PISA – originally a Roman Naval Base – then 1064 Cathedral built & later its famous 1173 Leaning Bell Tower , fixed with a 5% tilt in 2001which should secure it for another 300 years – fingers crossed!

* Gary & Demi, Daniel, DAVID