Events Florence Tourist Attractions

General Information Florence

By Train Florence is on the Rome to Milan line, which means that nearly all of the trains from Rome, Bologna and Milan stop at Florence. The fastest trains are the Eurostar and Intercity. Eurostar is slightly more expensive than the Intercity but is slightly faster and has guaranteed air conditioning.t
By Car Florence is connected by the Motorway A1 to Bologna and Milan in the North, to Rome and Naples in the South. The Motorway A11 connects Florence with Prato, Lucca, Pisa and the Tuscan Coast. A smaller motorway joins Florence to Siena.
City Center Traffic Restrictions Transportation in Florence Traffic is restricted in the city center which makes it an ideal city for seeing on foot.. An extensive and practical public transport system serves Florence very well with the network of buses providing a frequent and reliable service. Most of the buses go to the Central Railway Station, which is in front of the Congress Venue. To get on the buses, it is necessary to buy a ticket which can be bought at automatic machines and tobacco shops. Please remember to stamp the ticket using the machines inside the bus otherwise you may be fined. A fine has recently gone up to 50 Euro whereas one ticket costs you 1 Euro - so buy a ticket and relax! NB tickets are not available from the Driver. Taxis are also readily available. Taxi service number is (+39) 055 4390 or (+39) 055 4242.
Language The official language of Italy is Italian and English whilst spoken in many of the Hotels is not widely spoken by the locals. A phrasebook would come in handy.
Currency The current money is € (Euro). There is no restriction on how much foreign currency you can bring into Italy and there are no limits for traveller's cheques. Cashline machines and exchange offices are widely available. Almost all hotels, restaurants and shops accept major credit cards.
Shopping Shops in the center of Florence are open from Tuesday to Friday 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday morning. On Monday morning and Sunday and public holidays shops are generally closed.
Electrical Supply Voltage is 220V 50Hz. Electrical sockets have two round holes so if arriving from the UK you will need the classical continental adaptor in order to charge your mobile phone, plug in laptop etc. In addition appliances which designed to operate on 10/120 volts will need a voltage converter and a plug adapter.
Telephone Information
Emergency numbers: Police 113, Ambulance 118, Fire 115
Country Code: +39
City Code: 055.
Climate & Clothing The climate in Florence is pleasant all year. It reaches a high in late July with temperatures rising to 34° C. The high Summer temperatures are not a problem as the Hotel Meridiana is fully air conditioned as are all of the buses.
Visa Requirements EU citizens require only a passport or national identity card to stay in Italy for as long as they like. Citizens of many other countries, including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and South Africa do not need a visa if entering as tourists for up to three months. Any visitors not from one of these countries are must apply for a visa in their country of origin at least 3 months before arriving in Florence. All information regarding visa rules and regulations can be obtained from your nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate.
Insurance The Hotel Meridiana is not liable for any injuries or losses sustained during your stay in Florence and therefore we recommend that you take out adequate travel insurance before travelling.
Airport Information Florence is served by two Airports: Amerigo Vespucci, a few kms North west of the city center and Galileo Galilei, near Pisa and about an hour by train or car from Florence. Several daily flights connect Florence/Pisa with European Capital Cities. The city bus number 62 runs approximately every twenty minutes from the Santa Maria Train or Railway Station to Amerigo Vespucci Airport.

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Public Holidays

All Saints / Tutti i Santi November 1, 2005 Immaculate Conception / Immacolata Concezione December 8, 2005 Christmas day and Boxing day / Santo Natale and Santo Stefano December 25,26 2005 New Year / Capodanno January 1, 2006 Epiphany / La Befana/Epifania di Gesu January 6, 2006 Easter Sunday / Pasqua di Resurrezione April 16, 2006 Easter Monday / Lunedi dell'Angelo April 17, 2006 Liberation Day / Festa della Liberazione (San Marco) April 25, 2006 May Day Workers Holiday / Festa dei Lavoratori May 1, 2006 Feast of St John Patron Saint of Florence June 24, 2006 Feast of the Assumption / Ferragosto August 15, 2006 All Saints Day / Tutti i Santi November 1, 2006 Immaculate Conception / Immacolata Concezione December 8, 2006 Christmas Day / Santo Natale December 25, 2006 Boxing Day / Santo Stefano December 26, 2006

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