http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25598 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25598 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25318 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25318 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25289 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25289 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24046 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/24046 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23665 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23665 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23642
The city is not big, and you can easily cover most of the top sights if you're willing to do a bit of pedal power, plus you'll be doing your bit on travelling green!

Also, to stretch your deflated pound that little bit further, scoff down as much breakfast as you can (Italian brekkies are simple fares), and have a late lunch. Find a pizzeria the locals recommend, and don't be ashamed to order a very large pizza. Eat half, and ask to take away the rest (a good pizza should still be good even when it's cold and bashed around in your rucksack). While you're there, soak in the atmosphere, and enjoy the distinct flavours of each ingredient. Savour the bursting flavours of the tomatoes, the freshness of the artichokes, the subtle hint of basil, and the purity of the extra virgin olive oil drizzled on fresh mozzarella on the perfect stone baked dough base. Bellissimo! Enjoy it while you can, you simply won't be able to find pizza like they make it in Italy!

Back to the bicycle ride, I would start somewhere by the river, visiting some of the markets and the shops that are just about to open by mid-morning. Florentine streets are narrow, but you should always be able to find somewhere to lock the bicycle during stops. Be equipped with a sense of adventure, and feel free to wander off the beaten track, as somehow it'll always bring you back to the centre anyway. If you prefer, zip around the many piazzas and use speed to your advantage to get to queues early if you like museum hopping.

As the sun starts to sit low, return your bicycle (making note of the closing time where you hired it), and head up to the Piazelle Michelangelo (Michelangelo Hill) by bus. It's a very touristy part of Florence, but find a place to sit down, relax, and enjoy the spectacular changing hues of the sunset as it sails below the beautiful Florentine skyline.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23642 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23199
The location means you get cheaper room rates and heaps of extras - we loved the swimming pool, restaurant, bar and pretty surrounding olive groves.

We hired bikes and explored other parts of Tuscany - and the hostel organize tours to Pisa, Lucca and San Gimingnano.

Beautiful location, views of Tuscany countryside, great free breakfast, totally relaxing, and it was easy to pop into Florence, despite being in another town!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/23199 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21191 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21191 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21190 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/21190 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19155
You can choose to visit Florence by bike, following the cycle tracks that reach the most famous historic sites.

What to see:
- Piazza della Signoria
- Piazzale Michelangelo
- Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square)
- The Bargello Museum
- Ponte Vecchio: To one side of the bridge there is the majestic bust of the most famous Florentine goldsmith, Benvenuto Cellini.

Scenic views:
- Bike along the romantic Viale dei Colli up to Piazzale Michelangelo to see the wonderful landscape of Florence
- Panoramic view of the Boboli Gardens

Bike rental estimated prices:
1 hour - about 3 Euro
1 day - from a minimum of 14 Euro to a maximum of 27 Euro]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19155 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18976
They drive every aspect of this lovely Florence hostel, and are constantly on hand to make sure that their guests (and you really do feel like a guest rather than a customer!) have everything they could possibly need.

I didn't stay long enough to take advantage of the offer, but long-term guests are invited out to their Tuscan farmhouse for the night.

It was a real wrench to tear myself away.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18976 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18898
Great food at low, low prices. We had dinner for 30 with wine (and not from a fixed menu!) that came to less than 20 euro per person. Wonderful spot.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18898 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18058 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18058 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13035 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13035 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11740 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11740 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10817
It is popular with students and with the locals (nearby are some delis and whatnot so you actually see Florentines) and comes to life after nine or so in the evening.

At the top of the square is Brunelleschi’s spectacular church - as well as having a crucifix by a very young Michelangelo, it was studied and admired by many including Da Vinci and it is easy to see why. It is especially pretty when the facade is lit at night.

There are a few restaurants and a couple of bars in the square, the type of spots where, if you drink too many amerettos, they give you a tequilla on the house - the atmosphere is friendly at all of them.

Istayed at Antica Dimora with a friend but it would be especially nice to go there romantically - ask for a room with a little balcony. You can watch (and listen!) to the market being set up in the morning. The rooms are huge with lovely wooden beams and, maybe vaguely kitsch decor but it feels like you’ve been to Firenze! It’s a short back street walk to the wonderful, wonderful Bobili gardens too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10817 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9652 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9652 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9237 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9237 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8651 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8651 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8572 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8572