The Neighborhoods of Florence...
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HOW FLORENCE WORKS
Before you start panicking about which neighborhood to stay in, we must remind you that FLORENCE IS SMALL. Most of the accommodations that we suggest are located in the center of town, within easy walking distance of Florence's major tourist attractions. The central touristed section of town is really quite compact and is best seen by foot. Florence doesn't have a metro or subway system, and it's unlikely that you'll take a bus or a cab. So smile, put on your favorite walking shoes and hit the road.
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DUOMO, UFFIZI & PALAZZO STROZZI
The Duomo, Florence's magnificent domed marble cathedral, is located smack in the center of the city. Aside from the Duomo itself, the neighborhood offers the Palazzo della Signoria, the Uffizi musuem, Ponte Vecchio, Mercato San Lorenzo, San Marco, Santa Croce and lots and lots of shopping. Medieval buildings mix with the Renaissance, streets are narrow and bustling, spotted with high towers. Not surprisingly, it's also the heaviest touristed area of the city, offering its share of tourist trap restaurants and gift stores.
OLTRARNO
South of the river Arno, the Oltrarno takes you a step out of tourist-packed Florence into a neighborhood frequented (believe it or not) by real Florentines! Though quiet in the winter, the area heats up in the summer, especially near the Piazza Santo Spirito, which packs in the local 20-somethings at night. Once the poor section of town, the Oltrarno is now home to many of Florence's most popular and reasonably priced restaurants.
SANTA MARIA NOVELLA
Though just 50 meters from the train station and very near the Via Nazionale, the area surrounding the church Santa Maria Novella has a lovely look and feel all its own. The piazza offers one of the largest (and most beautiful) open squares in the city, though the narrow streets surrounding it tend to get very crowded.
VIA NAZIONALE
Located just North of the Train Station, this area is just bursting with cheapies. Though neither the nicest nor most romantic part of town, it does offer some real steals along Via Guelfa and Via Faenza. Just one minute away is San Lorenzo, the city's largest open-air market where you can buy fresh produce and every conceivable leather good. Also nearby is the pleasant and spacious Piazza Indipendenza (Independence Square), built in 1865-1870 (new for this city) when Florence was the Italian capital.
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