What are the best things to do in Florence, Italy?

Question

im planning on going to florence this summer

and would like to know things to do there?

places to eat, see, anything?

but most importantly is there any basketball courts there?

i know europe isnt as fond of basketball as the united states is but i am particularly interested in basketball and have to write an article on european basketball by playing a game down there for my school paper. any help finding basketball courts would be nice

Answer 1

There must be basketballcourts there as, amazingly, they have a team. http://www.eurobasket.com/team.asp?Cntry...

Otherwise, Uffizzi and the other museums, the Cathedral, the Ponte Vecchio  and countless other beautiful things. http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-27...

http://www.mega.it/eng/egui/hogui.htm

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g...

Take the bus to Fiesole, which is the most beautiful place on a hill. You'll be glad you went.

By the way, there are many concerts in the summer arranged free of charge in some of the beautiful buildings.

Answer 2

I just got back from Italy 3 days ago. While there, we visited Florence so I can give you some valuable advice. Take guided tours, do not rent a car and drive yourself. You will see so much more if you are with a group. Driving in Florence is a nightmare if you don't know the city.

Enjoy your trip.

Answer 3

I just wrote my penpal who lives in Prato, a suburb of Florence.  He said there is a cathedral, an emperor's castle, and a textile museum in his town.  He said there aren't many tourists because it isn't near the city center.  Downtown Florence gets super crowded in June and July with tourists, so Prato might be a nice trip off the beaten path.  

It would be fun to take a walking tour of downtown Florence.  Its very compact, you can see a lot on foot.  See all the cathedrals, the Duomo, Santa Maria Novella.  Dress conservatively when touring the churches, or they'll make you buy a paper gown to wear inside and cover yourself.  

Definitely have some gelato.  I have yet to find gelato in the states as good as in Florence.  My favorite was tiramisu gelato, with the chunks of ladyfingers in it.  Try the blood oranges.  They are sweeter nowhere else.  Fried iris petals- sound wierd to eat, but they are really good.  I'm not sure what the Italian name is for them.  Its an appetizer.  And of course, eat some tiramisu.  They pronounce tiramisu with a lot of flair- tea-RAHH-me-soo.

Don't know much about b-ball though.

Answer 4

The best thing to do in Florence is to see David's statue and the Basilica.