Florence Family Travel Guide

Florence Family Travel Guide

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Florence, Italy
With its romantic hues and graceful piazzas, Florence is a delightful city to stroll (Photodisc)
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Florence Family Travel Tips

By Candyce H. Stapen

  • Climb 463 steps to the top of Il Duomo
  • View works by Botticelli, Rembrandt, and Caravaggia at the Uffizi Gallery
  • Admire Michelangelo's extraordinary sculpture David at the Academia Gallery
  • Stroll the flower and fountain-filled Boboli Gardens
  • Bargain for jewelry and other souvenirs on the Ponte Vecchio.

Family Overview: Florence, Italy

By Candyce H. Stapen
Florence (Firenze in Italian) delights the eye. A graceful city of red roofs, splendid domes, and bridges crossing the Arno River, Florence is an art lover's Mecca. With money from the Medicis and other rich ducal families, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Botticelli, and others created timeless works whose new perspective spurred the development of a renaissance. The city showcases these masterpieces in its churches and museums. That makes Florence a must-see for teens and adults, but something of a challenge for younger kids for whom one fresco goes a long, long way. Read More

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Do you have a travel question about this destination or can you provide a tip to a fellow traveler? 

Join the discussion with Away.com's in-house experts in our travel Q&A.

4 Questions | 4 Answers

  • Q:

    We are traveling to Italy the last 2 weeks of October, my questions "is it better to book your tour groups ahead of time via the internet or wait till we arrive". I have had experences in other destinations and found when you arrive it is often cheaper to wait.

    What are your thougths?

    Asked on 9/18/2009 by Anonymous from Canada

    1 answer

    • Away Travel Expert

      A:

      My gut tells me it's better to wait, too. You may save yourselves some headaches by getting tickets ahead of time, but bear in mind that Italy at the end of October is much quieter than in high summer so you should be fine getting into most attractions quite quickly. Plus, yes, you will pay a service fee by booking ahead, and you lock yourself out of that sense of spontaneity that makes vacations great! After all, if it's raining cats and dogs, why take a tour of the Tuscan countryside when you could hole up in a fascinating museum, historic site, or trattoria?

      Answered on 9/18/2009 by Alistair at Away from Washington, DC

  • Q:

    Are people in Florence generally nice to American student visitors?

    Asked on 11/10/2008 by balletangel81

    1 answer

    • A:

      Florence is one of those cities that is extremely popular with people studying abroad, so it's chock full of students who are either going to a school in the city or visiting while studying elsewhere in Italy. It's also chock full of tourists almost year-round, but especially in the summer months. What this means, in my experience, is that the locals are totally used to lots of foreign students taking over their city.

      But as to your more specific question, about whether they're "nice" to American students, that's going to vary depending on the locals you happen to be dealing with and the kind of American student you're talking about. Some people in Florence are going to be sick to death of foreigners, and are therefore probably going to seem rude. Others will be chatty and helpful. If you're someone who's polite, who attempts to speak Italian whenever possible, who isn't too loud, and who generally tries to fit in, then the chances are better you'll have a good reception.

      Having said that, for the most part, Italians all over Italy are exceptionally warm and welcoming - they're willing to help out with language issues in a way that's not condescending, & they're also often eager to practice their English. They love their country, & most of them are thrilled to share what they love with you. Be open, inquisitive, and respectful and there's no doubt in my mind you'll have an exceptional experience & return home thinking the Italians are the nicest people you've ever met.

      You can read more about travel in Italy on my website, WhyGo Italy: http://www.italylogue.com/

      Answered on 11/13/2008 by Jessica

  • Q:

    I am travleing next year to italy

    What are some things I should not miss. Please email those to me.

    Asked on 7/25/2008 by hoyt from Washington

    1 answer

    • Away Travel Expert

      A:

      Tuscany, Florence, Venice, Rome, Sicily, the Amalfi Coast, Milan, Turin, Bologna, the Dolomites... the list of places to see in Italy is pretty endless. If you've never been, maybe hit the big guns like Rome and Florence, which will give you a taster -- and plenty reason to return for more! Also, you don't say how long you've got to travel around, which will naturally affect how expansive you can make that itinerary. I hear the southeast regions of the country are pretty special, with slightly fewer tourists and a unique regional flavor. I loved Venice, though my wife and I visited in November when there were hardly any tourists (it can be a zoo in the peak season).

      Answered on 7/30/2008 by AlistairatAway from Washington, DC

  • Q:

    Rome, Florence & Venice

    My family and I want to visit Rome in June of this year and I would appreciate some advice on how to plan the trip. Should we seek to become part of a tour group and if so, how do we find the best one.
    Thanks!

    Asked on 3/25/2008 by ItalianGale from St. Louis, MO

    1 answer

    • Away Travel Expert

      A:

      Personally, I’m all about traveling countries solo.However, there are many people who don’t feel the same way as I do. Tours can be very beneficial if you like to get around efficiently. Tour guides know the history behind the sights so there’s no reason to run around looking for a plaque or wondering what that large, leaning tower is. Also, many planned tours offer some personal time either during or after the tours to enjoy the city alone. And sometimes, you can even get a meal out of it.

      Remember, you can find tour groups based around anything. So really think about what you’re looking for. Whether it’s how much you want to spend, how long you want to stay, what you want to do, there’s literally a tour group that will accommodate it. Our partner site, GORPtravel.com, offers some really good group tours all over the world. Check out their offerings at: http://gorptravel.away.com/adventure-destinations.html.

      Answered on 6/25/2009 by Erin@away from Washington, DC

Do you have a travel question about this destination or can you provide a tip to a fellow traveler? 

Hotels

Lungarno Suites

Lungarno Acciaiuoli, 14
Florence 50123 Map

Distance: 0.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0

Hotel Residence Hilda

Via dei Servi, 40
Florence Map

Distance: 0.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0

Hotel Villa San Michele

Via Doccia 4
Fiesole 50014 Map

Distance: 3.4 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 4 class stars

Expert Rated & Recommended
5.0
All Florence Hotels »
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Attractions

Galleria dell'Accademia (Academy Gallery)

expert favorite attraction
Via Ricasoli 58-60
Florence, Italy

Distance: 0.7 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

Though tour-bus crowds flock here just for Michelangelo's David, anyone with more... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Galleria degli Uffizi

expert favorite attraction
Piazzale degli Uffizi, 6
50122

Distance: 0.3 mi. (from destination center)
Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0

Museo di Storia della Scienza (Science Museum)

expert favorite attraction
Next to the Uffizi at the Arno end of Via dei Castellani
Piazza dei Giudici 1
Florence, Italy

Distance: 0.3 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

The mainframe computer and multifunction calculator don't hold a candle to this... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
4_0
All Florence Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Florence

Distance (mi.)
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport 53.1 map
Venice Marco Polo Airport 131.4 map
Rome Intercontinental Airport Leonardo da Vinci 144.9 map

Other Smaller Airports near Florence

Distance (mi.)
Florence Peretola Airport 3.4 map
Pisa Gal Galilei Airport 42.9 map
Forli Luigi Ridolfi Airport 50.5 map

GORPtravel Adventure Trips & Guided Tours

  • Italy Family Adventure
    Gap Adventures
    from $2299, 10 days
    From Roman Gladiators to medieval fortresses, join us on a fun-filled trip through Italy - built for families! Visit the birthplace of the mythical...
  • Tuscan Family Fantasy
    Ciclismo Classico
    from $3895, 8 days
    The fascinating history, warm sun, breathtaking beauty and sumptuous cuisine of Tuscany converge in this enriching vacation for friends and family of...
See All Adventure Trips & Guided Tours from GORPtravel »
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