Florence & Tuscany 2013 Guidebook
Favorite discoveries or tips:
We stayed at an Agriturismo outside of Cortona called La Renaia. We had a wonderful experience.
Tricia Perkins in Tucson, AZ USA 05/14/2013
Balesrti Hotel in Florence. On the river, easy walking distance to Uffizi, Acedemia, Duoma. Excellent staff, excellent breakfast. Old Stone House, villa in Tuscany. Excellent accomadations, shared kitchen with other guests, close to Lucca, Pisa, Volterra. Cristina Giannicchi, guide service inRome, arranged for a personal tour guide in Florence, Sashia Scalvini. She was excellent.
Alan Lipowitz in Peterson, MN USA 05/13/2013
From January 1st 2013 nine museums have been added to the Firenze Card circuit!
Torre di Palazzo Vecchio Museo dell'Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore Battistero di San Giovanni Campanile di Giotto Cupola Basilica di Santa Croce Casa Buonarroti Museo Casa di Dante Museo del Calcio
John in Freedom, NH USA 01/06/2013
I truly believe you should Hotel Leon Bianco in San Gimignano to your recommended list. the people were outstanding, accomodations first class, breakfast was great and the location on Piazza della Cisterene could not be bettered. This hotel is truly worth investigating for inclusion in your guidebook. Example of kindness, as we were readying to leave the hotel, you know the parking driving situation in San G., we were offered a ride down to the parking lot with all our bags, by one of the staff. This place was just GREAT.
Bill in Mississauga, On Canada 11/29/2012
The Florence card was great. We went into every museum that was open several of whom we found by accident. With the card you go in, love it or hate it but it's no harm no foul. Maybe you just want to see a small specific part of the museum. No problem. For the Uffizi and Accademia it frees you from being tied down to a reservation time. You do need to game the card as it relates to museum closures (Mondays for example) to decide if it's for you. Best for those staying several days. We spent the first of 5 days without it. Started the 72 hour clock ticking at 1630 the next day and wore the card out the following 72 hours.
Marie in San Diego, Ca USA 10/23/2012
Restaurants we would recommend adding to San Gimignano:
Qum Quibus: Via San Martino, 17: specializes in truffle seasoned dishes. Food, service were outstanding, prices were reasonable. It has won several awards. When it opened at 7, you could tell the employees were enthused to give the diner a fantastic experience - it was showtime!
Also liked the Terraze Ristorante in Hotel Cisterna: had a Bistecca Florentine to die for. It was fixed price for 2 (total of 55 euros); included huge steak, cooked rare, with salad and half liter of red wine.
Loved your other San Gimignano restaurant recommendations - we were renting a house there for 2 weeks, and tried most of them.
Nita and Steve Rothschild in Edmonds, WA USA 10/05/2012
We discovered Trattoria la Casalinga di Carraie on Via de Michelozzi 9red in Florence This was a great place that was packed with locals and tourists. We were treated extremely well. The lasagne was the best we had and the house wine was excellent. Great prices too. 50€ for five people.
Terri in Chula Vista, Ca USA 10/04/2012
We stayed in a wonderful, well-located, extremely inexpensive, clean and picturesque spot a very short distance outside of Montepulciano. Contact Monica Anselmetti, Agriturismo Azienda Agricola Metina at info@metina.it. She has several apartments on this simple but beautiful olive and grape vineyard. Each apartment has 1-2 bedrooms, a bathroom with shower, living room and kitchen. There is a common swimming pool, stone barbecue and terrace with magnificent vistas. Monica is charming, extremely helpful and gracious and speaks fluent English. We highly recommend this lovely spot!
Joanne Peyser and Robert Bresler in Armonk, NY USA 09/14/2012
Don't plan to see too many sites in a day. Driving on narrow, winding, hilly roads takes a lot of time.
Mortimer C. Newton in Providence, RI USA 09/12/2012
The best place for lunch in Florence was il Girasole Trattoria. The food was fabulous and the restaurant very clean. The owner was willing to make anything fresh to order; salads, pizza, etc. She also had many homemade prepared dishes.
Jane in Clarkston, USA 07/31/2012
Tuscany is even more beautiful from a hot air balloon! We flew with Stefano and his awesome ground crew http://www.balloonintuscany.com/ 250 Euro per person for 60-75 minute sunrise flight, including post-flight Chianti breakfast at Stefano's home. It was a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Alison in McNeill, BC Canada 07/18/2012
I need to take umbrage with a couple disses of Che c'e c'e in Firenze. We just came from there and had a great time. This is a Trattoria full of local flavor! A place where the locals come eat their favorite food in a homey, if a bit frenzied (because they were so busy) atmosphere. We had a variety of Tuscan dishes, from Pepoli stew to lemon tagliatelle, ravioli and gnocchi. A very good house red as well... And five of us ate for 130 euros including flock and limoncello. How could you beat that? The staff, mostly family, we're gracious, hard-working, and kind, and helpful in menu selection. When told that a friend recommended us to his place the 70 yr old owner offered gracious thanks and then high-fives. Give them a try if looking for a real local experience.
G Gable in Saskatoon, SK Canada 07/06/2012
The Leather school at St Croce.
JOHN FALVEY in WHEATON, IL USA 06/26/2012
thank you for telling us about Katti House, Soggiorno AnnaMaria, and Trattoria Katti. We loved not only the delicious food but also the warm welcome and family conversation with AnnaMaria and her family. we will definitely return, and will tell our friends as well!
merrietta in Fong, Ca USA 06/26/2012
thank you for telling us about Katti House, Soggiorno AnnaMaria, and Trattoria Katti. We loved not only the delicious food but also the warm welcome and family conversation with AnnaMaria and her family. we will definitely return, and will tell our friends as well!
merrietta in Fong, Ca USA 06/26/2012
Our favorite discovery was a private tour company call Tuscany Taste Tour. Maurizio Mancini is the owner and was our guide for a day. We have been to Florence and really wanted to visit a new location, and Rick suggested Volterra and SanGimignano. It was very difficult to find a company that appealed to our request, and the cruise ship we were on did not offer any excursions to just these 2 cities. I HIGHLY recommend Maurizio! He was prompt, friendly, informative and the day with him was THE BEST day of our entire vacation. He took us to Bolgheri which I had not even heard of and it was a quaint town of only 200 people. Just breathtaking! I urge Mr. Steves' to include the Tuscany Taste Tour as a recommendation for those that have already visited Florence and Pisa. I'm surprised Maurizio is not in the Italy book, or the Mediterranean Cruise book, as he is very worthy of it!!
Holly in Cleveland, OH USA 06/17/2012
Our favorite gelateria was an accidental discovery on our first day in Florence, randomly walking around to exercise muscles after a long flight. It is La Sorbetieria on Via dei Leone at Piazza Torquato Tasso, a neighbourhood gelateria by a neighbourhood park west and south of Santa Maria del Carmine. They had a flavour, limone e salvia, that was the most exquisite combination, cooling and refreshing. We liked it so much it became our first and last gelato of our trip. His ice creams are good too.
Keith Stotyn in EDMONTON, AB Canada 06/13/2012
Cortona
Geraldine Cooper-Lesins in 851 Montague Gold Mines, NS Canada 06/09/2012
train station ticket vending machines require that you have your credit card PIN number to use the machines otherwise you have to stand in line at the ticket counter....next time we will have our PIN!
Scott in Fremont, CA USA 04/17/2012
train station ticket vending machines require that you have your credit card PIN number to use the machines otherwise you have to stand in line at the ticket counter....next time we will have our PIN!
Scott in Fremont, CA USA 04/17/2012
I wanted to say that Rick was the "guiding hand" on our recent trip to Florence. We really enjoyed the audio guides to the Uffizzi and Academia, as well as the Renaissance Walk. The guidebook tips for getting advanced tickets saved us so much time. This has not only been one of the most useful guidebooks I have ever purchased, but one of the most informative, insightful and humorous. My sixteen year old was skeptical, but by the end of our trip he was even asking "What does Rick say?" I thought my Mom was going to pee in her pants when Cameron came in to do some updating for the guide at the Trattoria la Burrasca. He kindly answered our questions and asked us how we were enjoying our trip. It's a class act all around. Thanks so much!
Lorri Tsarev in Lexington , KY USA 04/17/2012
We never would have found the Santa Maria Novella Perfumery without this book!
Susan Silvera in Los Angeles, CA USA 04/15/2012
Sacre Croce church, 1 block south of the Duomo, does a nightly organ concert at 9:15 PM for an hour - free (donations happily accepted). We went to this for several nights, and it was pretty incredible. Just walk 1 block south from the tower and listen for the music, you'll hear it.
Pat Leathrum in Corvallis, OR USA 04/01/2012
My husband travels in a wheelchair. Re: museums We discovered that he and I have free entry and are whisked to the front of the line for entrance.
Rory Robb in Kittery Point, ME USA 04/01/2012
March 20-21 we stayed in Florence at the Casa Santa Nome de Gesu. Around the corner was a trattoria, L'brindellone that the locals recommended. Piazza Piattellina 10/11 r. Small two rooms, run by a couple of guys, one of whom spent a lot of time traveling to Chicago so he's happy to chat with English speaking customers. Food was very good Tuscan traditional cooking, bistecca alla fiorentina, ribollita, fagioli all'uccelletto. Atmosphere was great with young/middle-aged Florentines gathered together to party with friends. Would go back again.
Warren Lo in Columbus, OH USA 03/31/2012
Trattoria Katti in Florence is wonderful. I ate here when it first opened in May 2011 and returned in February 2012 to find it even better with an expanded menu and a well-priced 12 Euro prix fixe menu of the day which offers substantial portions of a first course and second course of exquisitely freshly prepared Florentine specialties. The meats are so tender and moist they could be cut with a fork. Everything is cooked fresh to order and beautifully presented. Trattoria Katti has a pleasant atmosphere that makes it comfortable for a solo female traveler. It is meticulously clean including the restrooms. Trattoria Katti will not disappoint.
D. in Mountain View, CA USA 02/27/2012
In Florence, buy a membership to the Uffizi. It allows similar advantage to the Florence Pass--but is not restricted to only a few days. You can go to the Uffizi and Accademia without a reservations--and return as often as you like. Many other museums also included.
Carol Losos in Jersey City, NJ USA 01/02/2012
Villa Ferraia - - wonderful fairytale Villa just a 45 min drive south of Siena.
Larry and Angela Traubel in Cedaredge, CO USA 12/14/2011
Tuscany and Florence at Thanksgiving were great. We walked into the Uffizi and the David with nobody in line in front of us at noon on a Wednesday. There are very few tourists in the rest of Tuscany at this time of year. We found it to be a good time to visit. The weather was great (they said it was unusually dry). Cool at night and in the 55 - 60 range in the afternoons.
Jim in Atlanta, GA USA 12/04/2011
Accamedia ristorante in Florence. Ate there after visiting "David" at Galleria Accamedia. Per guide book tip, waiter at this ristorante was happy to call a taxie for us!!
Larry Barstow in Buena Park, Ca USA 11/30/2011
La canova di Gustavino Via della Condotta 37R Firenze - Great atmosphere, service, food and wine. Sciccherie Via della Sprone 9/11r- wonderful artisan ceramics Ravinale Srl -Via Dei Castellani, 6/R. Best scarves and ties we found Legatoria Il Cartiglio - Via del Proconsolo 63r- lovely paper store Fondazione Roma Museo Chocolate Town-Piazza Duomo 15R great store
Rachel in Washington, DC USA 11/08/2011
food is delicous!!!!!!!!
laura in chicago, IL USA 10/19/2011
We stumbled on the Hotel Santa Croce in Florence, and loved it! We have been in Europe for 6 weeks, staying in hostels as well as 5-star hotels that cost a small fortune.
I have discovered that feeling welcome is the most important thing of all, and I felt very welcome at the Hotel Santa Croce--we were valued and treated with warmth and friendliness.
I recommend this hotel very highly! It is steps from the Piazza Santa Croce and quite close to everything else. We walked all day!
It was inexpensive for the 3 of us, considering it is Florence!
All my best to Mario and staff! Hope to see you again soon!
Renee in Pittsburgh, PA USA 10/19/2011
I thought the guidebook did a great job of pointing out the must-sees. It was very helpful in that sense.
Cooper Woodard in Providence, RI USA 10/18/2011
We absolutely love your books and found them to be concise and accurate in every way. We stayed at many of your accommodations and found them true to your reviews. Keep up the good work. Do you have a book on Australia in the works?
Marie Canada 10/09/2011
Trattoria Katti The food was excellent. Service gracious , efficient and affordable. Please put in next book.
Pamela Robonson in Chico, Ca USA 10/03/2011
Trattoria Katti The food was excellent. Service gracious , efficient and affordable. Please put in next book.
Pamela Robinson in Chico, Ca USA 10/03/2011
Guided Tour of the Duomo in Florence.
Roland Klassen in Oakville, ON Canada 09/25/2011
I wholeheartedly agree with this comment left by Bob in Austin:
Best Gelato ever is in Florence near the Ponte Vecchio....Gelateria della Passera at Via Toscanella 15 (intersection of Via dello Sprone). Bob Hamilton in Austin, Tx USA 06/26/2011
The gelato at this place is INCREDIBLE, especially the mint (which is made with fresh-from-the-garden mint). I wish my travel companions and I had found this gelateria on day #1 in Florence rather than midway through our weeklong trip! It's pretty close to Pitti Palace, though not on the main road.
Nicole Lavallee in Milton, VT USA 09/22/2011
The hotel Kursaal-Ausonia on Via Nazionale (which we booked via their website before purchasing the guidebook) was clean, air-conditioned, friendly and quite well-priced (and welcomes LGB travellers). The owner is a tour guide, and can arrange for guests to be added to her tours of the Uffizi and the Accademia at short notice--this isn't a cheap option, but it will get you into the Uffizi if you neglect to reserve in advance.
I'd also recommend the ClubHouse restaurant on Via de' Ginori - they have several different areas (a pizzeria, a restaurant and a bar). The pizzeria table cover is 1 euro and the restaurant cover is 2 euros; no food in the bar. We ate in the restaurant and it was excellent (not super-cheap, but decent) and seemed popular with the locals. They also had free wifi.
Storme Winfield in Colchester, UK 09/16/2011
Enjoyed using guides for Rome, Florence, Hill Towns may-June 2011
Cynthia in Thomson, AZ USA 09/15/2011
I stayed at Soggiono Annamaria in Florence and ate at the restaurant owned by the same sisters, Trattoria Katti. The room was delightful, just as Rick Steves said, and the restaurant was also very good. I had bistecca Fiorentia, a specialty of Tuscany, and it was delicious and not too expensive. I only wanted the steak, not a primo or antipasti, and they were happy to accommodate me. I recommend both.
Julianne Chappell in Washington, DC USA 08/13/2011
Yes, Katti House and Trattoria Katti in Florence!!!! Great people, fun accommodations and excellent food, wine and service in the restaurant. Thanks Steve for sending us here. Joe and Aeto (Eagle) from American Samoa
Joe Weilenman in Pago Pago, AS American Samoa 08/11/2011
Be sure to consider eating at Trattoria Katti, especially if you'll be staying at or near Katti House. Great service, delicious, fresh, traditional dishes and excellent tuscan steaks with outside seating and a pleasant, newly finished interior.
Jon-Paul Da Prato in West Sacramento, CA USA 08/08/2011
Best place I stay in Florence is Katti House, I recommend it because it feels like you are home. The service is excellent and also the restaurant which is run by the family has great food and service. The restaurant is below the B & B. I had the best spaguetti!!!!
Xochitl in Oseguera, CA USA 08/06/2011
The Katti House (Hotel)--recommended in Rick Steves' book--is a WONDERFUL place to stay. The proprietors, a lovely family of 3 Mother, father and young adult daughter, Katti), made us feel as though we were members of their family. Their Trattoria right next door provides FABULOUS meals at a decent price. We give it our highest recommendation. --Matt & Theresa
Matt Knopp in Seattle, WA USA 08/05/2011
Dinner for six at Trattoria Katti was a highlight of our trip. The steak was melt-in-your mouth delicious, the best I've ever had. And, pergaps surprisingly, the tripe served with a creamy tomato sauce was delicious. We ate at the outside tables and our servers were charming and attentive.
Arlene Brumm in Mukilteo, WA USA 07/26/2011
Upon your recommendation, we stayed for 7 days at Residenzia Il Villino in Florence. Sergio, Elizabeth and their son are impeccable hosts. The room was delightful ( 12 foot ceilings) as was the courtyard at 3 pm with a glass of chianti. Best of all, were Sergio's recommendations for restaurants. All family-run restaurants, they all provided excellent, authentic cuisine at reasonable prices, far better than the over-priced restaurants in the centre of town.
Peter Showler in Ottawa, ON Canada 07/11/2011
Pandamonia food is great, not just good. However service can be unpredictable. We went twice - first night amazing service and atmosphere, second night poor service.
Caroline Greene in Bicester, England 07/06/2011
We ate at Trattoria Katti twice while in Florence, because the food was very good, the service was excellent, and the prices were reasonable. The restaurant is new, and is not yet listed in the guidebook. This restaurant is right next door to Hotel Katti, and is owned by the same family. I can't say enough about their hospitality, and their efforts to make you feel like part of their family. We stayed at the hotel for four nights. I highly recommend both the hotel and the restaurant.
Larry in Saratoga, CA USA 07/04/2011
FLORENCE - KATTI HOUSE hotel and TRATTORIA KATTI I am from Rome and everytime I go to Florence I stay at Katti Hotel. It's the best place! It's so nice, clean and the location is great. The staff is so friendly and the price is very good for the standard they offer. Don't miss TRATTORIA KATTI, just downstairs the hotel. It's owned by the same family who runs the hotel. The food is amazing, the quality excellent and the price again very affordable.
Romina M. in Roma, Italy 06/29/2011
Best Gelato ever is in Florence near the Ponte Vecchio....Gelateria della Passera at Via Toscanella 15 (intersection of Via dello Sprone).
Bob Hamilton in Austin, Tx USA 06/26/2011
If you cross the river at Ponte alla Grazie and head to the left and uphill you can walk to Piazzale Michelangelo for the best view of the city from high up on the bluff. This tourist stop should really be in the guidebook somewhere for anyone looking for a great view of the city.
Mike in Wheeling, IL USA 06/22/2011
Trattoria Katti Restaurant has a beautiful menu full of fresh ingredients that melts your palette. Owned by Maria, Mario, her brother the Chef for over 30 years, and their family cooks up a full fantastic Italian meal. This restaurant welcomes travelers with arms wide open to their beautiful decor and street-side tables serving delicious Italian wines and foods. I would highly recommend their "typical toscano" to anyone who stops off in Florence! Absolutely flavorful and delicious! One door down, is the "perfect" spot to rest one's head at their cute and clean bed and breakfast. This family has it all!! I hope to see this in the next edition for 2012.
Briana Benson in Los Angeles, CA USA 06/19/2011
Camere Bellavista in Montepulciano is in great shape and we would recommend it to anyone.
Eric Warneke in Denver, Co USA 06/12/2011
We highly recommend adding the Hotel Il Giardino. Contact information is: info@hotelilgiardino.it web is: www.hotelilgiardino.it address: Via B. Peruzzi, 33-53100 Siena Tel e fax 0577 221197-285290
Bob Lees in Bettendorf, ia USA 06/12/2011
We thoroughly enjoyed the gracious hospitality of the lovely family who own Albergo Kattihouse in Florence. The room was clean and spacious and well equipped. The ristorante has a lovely ambiance and the food was delicious and carefully presented. We would love to come back again!!
Jane Provan in Chapel Hill, NC USA 06/07/2011
Yes! There is a small restaurant in Florence called Katti Trattoria. It is run by Mrs. Maria who owns Katti House. Her trattoria is downstairs from her "hotel." Their bistec alla Fiorentina is the chef's specialty. It was very tender and flavorful. The wine, Vino Chianti Doch is delicious and is not expensive like some of the other places around. This places has very economic prices. The restaurant just opened not too long ago. It has a very modern, yet Tuscan style. The ceiling lights change colors which I thought was very neat. Certainly attracts people's attention. I would highly recommend this place. The staff is super friendly and try to accomodate their guests at all times. Please share this little jewel of Firenze with the rest of the world.
Seira Kuzmin in Los Angeles, CA USA 06/06/2011
Trattoria Katti, Via Faenza n. 31 r 50123 Firenze 055 219305
Anne Ricketts in San Francisco, CA USA 06/04/2011
Warning on parking at the Stadium in Siena! A number of American and German Tourists had their cars towed on May 23rd 2011. We all had valid parking tickets, but there was a paper sign in Italian only saying that cars must be moved by 14:00 or be towed. Evidently due to a soccer game. Probably better to park elsewhere.
Jim Deppen in Louisville, KY USA 05/27/2011
My personal favourite of the lesser-known local attractions in Siena is the little- visited Museum of the Biccherna, housed in the state archives in the Palazzo Piccolomini. The museum opens just a few times a day for supervised visits to view the collection of miniature paintings, originally commissioned to decorate the covers of financial ledgers of the medieval city government, although they gradually evolved into larger and stand-alone artworks. These paintings provide fascinating and unique views of historical events and of government activities, and so counterbalance the primarily religious art in other Sienese collections.
Stephen Alsford in Ottawa, ON Canada 05/22/2011
We found a great leather shop (pelleteria) in Florence for purses, wallets, and small gifts. Pelleteria Dantesca, Via Santa Margherita, 13/R (its right across the alley from Dante's church). Marco, the owner, and his English wife are wonderful and their products are well made! Their prices are good and the quality is even better. Marco works wonders with leather, and even put a couple new holes in my belt for free and fixed a broken zipper on my purse.
Anna Jurgensen in Albuquerque, NM USA 05/14/2011
LOVED Rick Steve's books for the tips, recommendations and, hugely, the self guided tours! We used this with the free audio tours (what a treat!). We also used Eyewitness Top 10 lists as a quick supplement but Rick Steve's had the meat that was required.
Sarah Menkhus in St. Louis , MO USA 05/13/2011
I would like to recommend a great family run hotel in Florence. It is called Hotel Albion and is a 3rd generation establishment within walking distance of the train station and the river. Sara is wonderful and very helpful. I have been using this hotel since 2008 for my study abroad groups and this hotel has quickly become a student favorite. It is quirky and fun and Sara has become a dear friend. Tell her Mendy from Oklahoma Christian recommended her if you stop by. www.hotelalbion.it. The prices are great - not super fancy but a great place in Florence. She also arranges museum reservations and a tour guide for our group. A great find.
Mendy Kooi in Edmond, OK USA 04/27/2011
A few doors up the street from Katti House - one of the hotel recommendations in your 2010 book - is a Tratorria called Antellesi. It's run by a father and his son and daughter. It has a white awning and an Italian flag out front. Walking in is very old world and the prices are cheap! What's more amazing? The lasagna! Simply to die for! My husband and I loved it so much we went back two nights in a row!
Shannon Fonferko in Schaumburg, IL USA 03/20/2011
Florence contiues to be a city of surprises (street performers), tasty delights (best gelato and pizza anywhere) and exquisite beauty (art at the duomo museum and jeweled treasuers at the Pitti Palace).
Michael Brown in Lincoln, CA USA 01/10/2011