Florence solo for two weeks in late October with a 3-day excursion to Rome, 2-day to Cinque Terre, and 1 day on a Siena/Chianti tour. After way too much interweb research, I think I have most everything worked out except these few uncertainties. I’d appreciate confirmation, correction, counsel, etc. from experienced voices.
Car - Other than aforementioned excursions, I’ll be in Florence visiting the standard list of “must sees.” Since it is all so geographically compressed and I’ll be on trains to Rome and Cinque Terre, a tour van to Siena, and, if I read the ATAF site correctly, a weekly bus pass is only $20; just in case. Also, I am fit and have no problem walking. Is there any compelling reason at all to rent a car?
Cell phone – I’m not wed to a device and certainly don’t want to visit Italy with my face stuck in a screen. Since I intend to be somewhat off-the-grid/disconnected and don’t anticipate needing text capability, I am considering just buying an inexpensive pre-paid flip phone in case I need to make a call. Is there any critical convenience I’ll miss by not having my Android? I’ll still have tablet and laptop and my broom closet has wi-fi. (yup, any space that small can’t reasonably be called a room) Is there any compelling reason to bring/buy a smartphone?
Weekends/Weekdays? – my excursion to Rome is firm, but the other outings are flexible; so I intend to arrange things where I can string 3 consecutive days together in Florence to make use of a Firenze Card. In late-October will the weekend crowds be significantly worse than weekday? (My stay will not overlap a first-free-Sunday) Should I avoid weekends in the museums/galleries if possible?
(Lourdes, thanks for your “Monday Museums” chart on visitFlorence; incredibly helpful!!!!)
Backpack – I’ve read numerous confusing and conflicting descriptions of the backpack prohibition(s), or lack thereof. Is there a uniform standard applied amongst the galleries and museums? Would a small daypack—something for camera, raingear, etc.—be allowed? (what about the Colosseum, if you have any insight there?)
Many thanks for all advice! Phillip
Car - Other than aforementioned excursions, I’ll be in Florence visiting the standard list of “must sees.” Since it is all so geographically compressed and I’ll be on trains to Rome and Cinque Terre, a tour van to Siena, and, if I read the ATAF site correctly, a weekly bus pass is only $20; just in case. Also, I am fit and have no problem walking. Is there any compelling reason at all to rent a car?
Cell phone – I’m not wed to a device and certainly don’t want to visit Italy with my face stuck in a screen. Since I intend to be somewhat off-the-grid/disconnected and don’t anticipate needing text capability, I am considering just buying an inexpensive pre-paid flip phone in case I need to make a call. Is there any critical convenience I’ll miss by not having my Android? I’ll still have tablet and laptop and my broom closet has wi-fi. (yup, any space that small can’t reasonably be called a room) Is there any compelling reason to bring/buy a smartphone?
Weekends/Weekdays? – my excursion to Rome is firm, but the other outings are flexible; so I intend to arrange things where I can string 3 consecutive days together in Florence to make use of a Firenze Card. In late-October will the weekend crowds be significantly worse than weekday? (My stay will not overlap a first-free-Sunday) Should I avoid weekends in the museums/galleries if possible?
(Lourdes, thanks for your “Monday Museums” chart on visitFlorence; incredibly helpful!!!!)
Backpack – I’ve read numerous confusing and conflicting descriptions of the backpack prohibition(s), or lack thereof. Is there a uniform standard applied amongst the galleries and museums? Would a small daypack—something for camera, raingear, etc.—be allowed? (what about the Colosseum, if you have any insight there?)
Many thanks for all advice! Phillip