Hi, I am planning on going to Florence next year. While I am

Depends on what you consider nearby. Luca an Sienna are a train-ride away, and they are both stunning cities, very different from Florence. Arezzo is also very nice if you're into lesser-known renaissance artists.

>>1239116
Thanks. Found a day trip to siena and pisa so that should be good. Any places i should definitely see inside florence. Better if free :)

>>1239308
there's tons of churches, some are free, some are paid, depending on the day or whatever. Just try your luck. The Duomo, the big one, is always free. The baptistery, right across, is not free. I haven't been inside that one, but I hear it's p.good. Then the museums, I guess Ufizzi deserves half a day. And the Piazzale Michelangelo (google it, not hard): it's just a bit out of the way, meaning if you walk around the city following the hordes of tourists you will never find it, but you can definitely get there on foot, or just take a quick bus. Nice view, atmosphere, etc. Just a big park, maybe take some food with you and chill.

less known is the santa croce church in florence which holds the tombs of great men such as michelangelo, galileo, and macchiavelli

also be sure to check out the accademia gallery which holds michelangelo's David statue. It is truly beautiful. Best to reserve ahead of time to avoid long wait

>>1239370
you have to pay like 10 euro for santa croce. its pretty cool though.

>>1239371
reserve because every tourist in florence cant leave before seeing michelangelo.

Palazzo Pitti is also an awesome palace in florence, with an awesome garden for a picnic. you have to pay for entry.

Fortezza da Basso is a 14th century fortress in florence which has been converted to a conference centre and gardens, free to look around parts of it.

when you say nearby towns to check out, do you mean go stay at a night or just day visit? cause Perugia, Gubbio, Assisi, Spoleto are all really nice towns between florence and rome

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Go here. Best view of the city and most of the Chinese tourist, which are literally everywhere, won't go there.

>>1239442
Also, the cemetery behind the church is abslutely stunning. This place is right behind the main viewing platform with the reproduction of Michelangelo's David.
As for food, definitely go to All Antico Vinaio, best Focaccia in the city and only like 4€:

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>>1239115
>>1239308
The things you can visit in Florence and nearby are almost infinite. Not even someone who lives there has probably seen everything.

Siena is actually as beautiful as Florence. Its square (Piazza del Campo) is truly unbelievable -- you won't forget it. The oval square of Lucca is also wonderful. Check out Arezzo if you like Renaissance cities.

A great idea, though, would be visiting some borghi (old medieval towns) around Florence. They're all close and if you find the way to reach them, definitely take your time and do the trip. Some suggestions:

>San Gimignano, 1 hour's drive from Florence
http://www.guidesiena.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/san-gimignano-8.jpg

>Montefioralle, 50 minutes drive from Florence
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Montefioralle-Panorama.jpg

>Castelfalfi, 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Florence
http://nova.ilsole24ore.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/15028257086_080fb7b8b4_k.jpg

>Certaldo, 55 minutes drive from Florence
http://www.tuscan-dreams.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Certaldo-10.jpg

>Vinci, 50 minutes drive from Florence
http://mytravelintuscany.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Vinci-Tuscany-village.jpg

>>1239477

>San Miniato, 45 minutes drive from Florence
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/San_miniato,_veduta_08.JPG/1280px-San_miniato,_veduta_08.JPG

>Greve in Chianti, 45 minutes drive from Florence
http://firenze.spi.cgil.it/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Greve_piazza.jpg

>Panzano in Chianti, 55 minutes drive Florence
https://www.toscanaovunquebella.it/it/image/panzano-greve-in-chianti-2_p_a0fa288e3324764e42e143c233a20c50_ab02314eadd6e5c75e87f253067dbb9c.jpg

>Monteriggioni, 1 hour and 10 minutes drive from Florence
https://www.toscanainside.com/files/images/discover/toscana/borghi/Monteriggioni/11-panorama.jpg

>Volterra, 1 hour and 20 minutes drive from Florence
http://www.volterratur.it/wp-content/uploads/gall_volterradaiponti.jpg

>Loro Ciuffenna, 1 hour's drive from Florence
http://www.tuscanypeople.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/loro_ciuffenna.jpg

These are only the towns near Florence. It's up to you, if you're interested, to find the ones in the province of Siena, Lucca, Arezzo, Pisa, Grosseto ;)

I don't think it needs to be said in such towns you'll always find godly food (even better than in Florence, because the countryside is full of typical products.

Anyway, if you choose to visit them or even only one of them, please be as much respectful and careful as you can. It is no exaggeration to say they are fragile and vulnerable. It's a miracle they were preserved like that till now. And that's all of their charm, the main reason why they're still so fascinating.

Most parks and gardens are free to enter on sundays.

Consider getting the firenze card. Its kinda pricey, but you can actually skip all those waiting lines for the big museums without the hassle of booking them in advance.

Downside is the short duration of only three days, but if you do some planning and are up to a massive overload of renaissance art its definitely worth it. Been there with my dad last march, and it saved us hours of waiting.

>>1239435
>Palazzo Pitti is also an awesome palace in florence, with an awesome garden for a picnic. you have to pay for entry.

fucking how? I was there, went to the main entrance, they wouldn't let us in. I told them in italian, I'm a tourist, I want to see, they just ushered me out. Just for next time, how do I get in?

also
>Assisi
is fucking awesome, don't miss it if you get a change.

Not OP but will be in Floerence on May 1 which I just found out is labor day? Will everything be closed? Will restaraunts be open?

Also any advice on restaraunts or markets?

>>1240041
Palazzo Pitti is a museum, is always open to visitors. What did you do wrong bro?

>>1240045
sorry, I meant Fortezza da Basso, just a few blocks away from the train station. I walked around the garden just outside, but I couldn't get into the building. Is that possible at all?

>>1240046
I read Fortezza da Basso is a place of meetings, expositions, festivals... and visits are possible only with reservation on special occasions

>>1240050
yeah, that makes more sense