Florence

[Zou]

So, Paris is out for this year, as are the Western Isles. My dad is retirig and taking the whole family to Florence instead. Obviously there are countless wonders to enjoy, but my question is not so much what to see, but what are the attitudes to photography in general? Are you generally allowed to use cameras in the churches/palaces/etc, or is it very much frowned upon as is the case in many places here?

Of course, if you know of any photogenic 'secrets' in or around Florence (Tuscany, can't be much to take pics of surely? ) do let me know!

[OneTen]

I spent a few months in Tuscany and I didn't have any problem taking photos but things change. I was staying in Siena and loved it there, south of there the rolling countryside near San Quirico d'Orcia is lovely. Montepulciana, Monteriggioni and San Gimignano are walled towns worth seeing. If you head over to Pisa, then Lucca is also worth a visit. Piazza Michael Angelo above Florence gives you great views over the city.

All that is from memory so spelling may be a bit off.

[Benchista]

I spent a few months in Tuscany and I didn't have any problem taking photos but things change. I was staying in Siena and loved it there, south of there the rolling countryside near San Quirico d'Orcia is lovely. Montepulciana, Monteriggioni and San Gimignano are walled towns worth seeing. If you head over to Pisa, then Lucca is also worth a visit. Piazza Michael Angelo above Florence gives you great views over the city.

All that is from memory so spelling may be a bit off.

WHS - some lovely places there, for sure.

[RovingMike]

I used a camera everywhere without problems. Do look up the resident Florence specialist Flavio Bassi. Nice guy but never quite gets his site finished. I gave up proof reading the English long ago.
Unless he's gone bust, he has a small photo shop on the south side on way up to the viewing place. Between Costa de Magnoli and Via di Bardi I think.
Give him my best.

[Twentyten]

No problems encountered last year, although I never took any shots inside any buildings.

Off topic, Hi everyone First post and all that.

[RovingMike]

No problems encountered last year, although I never took any shots inside any buildings.

I did and it was OK, but I think tripods can be a problem. Only problem I had 3 years ago was they were clamping down on people attaching locks to things on the bridge and I got a few glares from police for taking photos of them trying to guard the fenced off areas (of course locks appeared on the fences every time the cops were looking the other way).
Other problem was the parking on the bridges if you wanted to get a nice recession along them. No matter how early I was, a guy managed to plonk a large white van right in the middle of the middle one and ruin every shot thereafter.
They need aesthetics police to prevent parking in photo locations.

[Dorset_Mike]

The only place we found that did not allow photography was the museum with Michaelangelos statue of David. (Or it may have been flash, it's a few years, last visit we didn't go to the museum)

We were staying "up in the hills" about 40Km SW of Florence and found the best way was to drive to a rail station and get a train, the main station in Florence is quite close to the centre, no parking problems that way.

Ensure SWMBO's plastic is confiscated before going anywhere mear the Ponte Vechio, every shop is a goldsmiths!

San Gimignano is a must, we liked Volterra as well, as we were self catering an added attraction was a Lidl.

Cheapest flights were into Bologna, a longer drive, but a spectacular road through the mountains, all tunnels and long high bridges, dual carriageway.

[RovingMike]

And Pisa is just a short train ride. You can walk to the tower and main square.

[Zou]

Oh, a thread revival! Good stuff. Anyways, whilst we are staying together (whole family) in Florence for the week, we have now booked a single night here as a wee break from the others. Looks amazing. A couple of weeks ago I was determined to take the Zero 45 and a tripod, but I'm currently thinking 'go light' rather than 'go geeky' - it's not a primarily photo trip after all. The Coolpix, B35 and a Holga should be plenty.

[velocette]

We stayed just outside Vinci a couple of years ago and certainly San Gimignano is a must, but we actually preferred Volterra as there's more space. Luca is a real jewel. Came back with over 300 images of just walls, windows and doors plus the normal holiday stuff. We also spent a week staying in the centre of Florence whilst touring on the motor cycle a few years ago which was an absolute magic experience. Don't forget La Foce if you've got a chance and most of all enjoy yourself.

[Wheelu]

In some ways Florence looks nicer from a distance and the standard view of the city is taken from a terrace across and above the river. From memory the Numbers 11 and 13 buses rotate from the city to this place, heading in opposite directions. Would avoid driving if possible, but do pay to climb up onto the roof of the cathedral. There is a super book about the architect who built the thing, again from memory, it's called "Brunelleschi's Dome" - read before you visit.

Would add my vote for Lucca too, wonderfully bicycle friendly walled town, while Siena is also well worth a look.

[RovingMike]

If you go up the Campanile, do take note of the time. There was a huge queue so I was going to give it a miss, but then the queue disappeared and I dashed in quick....it was 11.59. I was half way up when....you can imagine the rest.

[Barney]

you can imagine the rest.

You needed the loo?

[dream_police]

San G and Volterra are fantastic Cities and well worth a visit, been several times to them.
Depending on when you go, Florence can be a nightmare it gets that busy (certainly in summer when we were there) hordes upon hordes of tours, millions of Japanese tourists following guides with brollies.
If you go in the summer, I recommend the Palio horse race in Sienna, lots of photo opportunities there, with all the contrada flags etc.

Admittedly, it's been a few years since I have been, but I never encountered any bother taking photo's inside or out, of locals or anything. I think it's not accepted to use flash in cathedrals etc, but I saw loads of people doing that anyway with no mither.

[Harry_Vederci]

I can recommend Il giardino di Boboli and the adjacent giardino di Bardini.

They have undergone extensive renovation and are a delightful way to spend a day. Be warned though, the gardens are on a slope which involves a lot of walking up and down steep paths. We visited Il giardino di Bardini first and then climbed back up the hill to Il giardino di Boboli, entering it near the top. There is a board showing a route around the garden with points of interest numbered 1 to 8. Near to point 7 there is a dual staircase leading up to what looks like a viewing platform giving an optimum view not only of the garden as it falls away below, but of the city beyond. Better still, the gates lead through to a terrace with spectacular views of the countryside.

From memory, entry cost us 7 Euros each and was valid for three days. It included admission to both gardens and to the Pitti Palace to which Il Giardino di Boboli is attached.

When you get tired of the city bustle, board the number 7 bus to Fiesole, just 15 minutes north-west of the city, and you will be rewarded with more wonderful views across the city and surrounding countryside as the bus zigzags its way up the steep hillside to the top. Again, it's a steep walk to the popular viewpoint but well worth the effort. The fare was just 1 euro each way when we last did it a couple of years ago.

Buon viaggio!

HV

[Alphonso]

I agree , The Bus Station is alongside the Railway Station .It is very easy to find. Catch the number 7 bus, it is well worth a trip up into the Village of Fiesole. I have been to Florence many times and sampled the Food and the photography, I always manage to squeeze in a trip to Fiesole.
In Fiesole you have got wonderful views over Florence and also you have the Roman Amphitheatre to check out. Quite near to the Roman Amphitheatre there is a delightful little Restaurant for a nice Lunch in the Garden ,Wonderful place,.

Alphonso

[Alphonso]

I agree , The Bus Station is alongside the Railway Station .It is very easy to find. Catch the number 7 bus, it is well worth a trip up into the Village of Fiesole. I have been to Florence many times and sampled the Food and the photography, I always manage to squeeze in a trip to Fiesole.
In Fiesole you have got wonderful views over Florence and also you have the Roman Amphitheatre to check out. Quite near to the Roman Amphitheatre there is a delightful little Restaurant for a nice Lunch in the Garden ,Wonderful place,.

Alphonso

When you take the bus up to Fiesole.Beware if a local chap gets on the Bus with his arm in a sling, encased in plaster. The Arm in plaster is fake.!!! His other arm is free to explore and steal your WALLET. One member of our party was standing up on the bus and this chap was next to him. When our friend, on alighting form the bus looked for his WALLET.it had gone, and so had the plaster cast man. So Beware. Don't let this stop you from going.But take extreme care.
Alphonso.